A Week in My Life as a Freelance Court Reporter - Christmas in NYC Edition!

We don't need to talk about the fact that this is super late, right??? '
I was so excited to film this video!!! Christmas in NYC is unlike anywhere else.
I hadn't been to Dyker Heights since before 2020. The lights are mostly the same, but I really don't remember there being full tour groups and all the vendors and things. It's a little disruptive, in my opinion, but the lights are still so magical to look at.
This is the first year that Luna Park has done Frost Fest in Coney Island, where they are open on the weekends during the holiday reason and have festive lights and ice skating and whatnot. I was feeling really sad when we were there because there were hardly any people. I always feel bad when things "fail" because it was somebody's idea and I just think about how disappointed they might be. But that all kind of changed when my dad and I decided to go on the Cyclone. There was no line at all. We went on with just two other people. It felt like such a special experience without so many people there.
As for going to Manhattan.... oh boy. It really does feel magical, but I just really can't handle the crowds. I think next time I will go on a weekday during the morning hours. There are definitely still a lot of people at any time this season, but I think it would feel like less during those times. The lines for the shops, like FAO Schwarz and Lego, were honestly insane. I couldn't bring myself to wait in them!! Having lunch at Ichiran was extra delicious though. I was so happy to see that they had a veggie option so we could all enjoy the experience.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this video, even though it is just a little bit late lol.
Hopefully next time I will be more timely, but unfortunately I just can't make any promises lol.
Okay bye!!
MUSIC CREDIT:
Hip Hop Christmas by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon...
Artist: www.twinmusicom...

[@SilkCrown]

I appreciate your videos. You inspire me to keep working toward passing my speed tests.

[@okaycat12]

YES!!! Keep going!!!! You can do it :) just trust the process 💕

[@marcsenica2119]

Hi, I’ve watched a bunch of ur videos, love it! Could you make a video about how you got started in court reporting and where you went to school and stuff? Merry Christmas and happy new year!! 🎉

[@NonTwinBrothers]

Hi. I'm a student reporter, and I've been learning steno since taking the A to Z intro course back jn June. And I'm loving it so far! This channel has DEFINITELY helped me get started in the field, and showed me what I could expect work-wise. I'll write an update in the future, about a year from now :)

[@okaycat12]

Hi - thank you for your comment!! I'm so excited that you're learning steno!!!!! I'm glad these videos give you an idea of what to expect with this career. I had NO clue what to expect when I first started. Didn't even know what a deposition was. I just thought I'd be in a courtroom all day!! I hope you continue to love steno and don't get too discouraged with speed building. I can't wait to read your update in the future!! Best of luck to you!!

[@thefam985]

Thank you so much for these videos! It helps us little guys out especially since this isn't a big career; Not a lot of people know about this. So as an inspiring court reporter, you truly give motivation to keep going!!

[@ElynourRummyng]

Did you grow up in NYC or did you move for court reporting? Love your content!

[@okaycat12]

Hi there - I moved here to be with my bf with one semester of court reporting school left to go :)

[@Lillx__]

Hello! I’m interested in this field but personally don’t like interacting with law enforcement much, does it mainly just involve correspondence with attorneys when you freelance?

[@okaycat12]

Hi!! Yes, it is primarily just attorneys. Sometimes police officers are deposed as witnesses to accidents or in wrongful arrest cases and stuff like that, but that's the only context I can think of that involves law enforcement. Hope this helps!!

[@Lillx__]

@ Thank you! :)

[@yesterpark]

hi, i love your videos a lot, are you ok with sharing your estimate annual income as a freelancer? and how much does it fluctuate from year to year? i'm really considering a job like this but i want to make sure i will have enough to support my mom, thank you

[@okaycat12]

Hi thanks for your comment! It definitely fluctuates every year based on how many jobs you take. The capacity to make six figures is certainly available to you if you are willing to put in the work. I do travel frequently, and you do not get paid vacation as a freelancer, so there are perhaps four or five weeks each year where I am not taking any jobs and therefore not getting paid. I also generally only take two or three jobs in a week, plus transcription jobs. That said, I have never made less than 75k in a year except 2020, where I was out of work for several months. It's only gone up since then. I hope this helps!

[@yesterpark]

@@okaycat12 wow!! thank you for such a good response :)

[@Nusja]

@@okaycat12 Do you think the number of jobs in the field will be affected by AI?

[@okaycat12]

@@Nusja Great question. The big question!! My personal belief is no. At least not any time soon. AI may begin to fill in the gaps where there are not enough court reporters, but I believe there is still a preference for real court reporters if there is an option, and also a healthy skepticism of AI in the legal field. I have encountered several law firms that have specifically requested no AI be used in the creation of transcripts, and I know there are prohibitions on the use of AI in the creation of other legal documents as well. I think the rejection of AI could continue to increase, especially for matters deemed highly confidential or attorneys'-eyes only. Only time will tell, of course. Hopefully this comment ages well lol

[@Nusja]

@@okaycat12 Thank you, that sounds encouraging! I've read very mixed opinions on this, some are quite pessimistic. I'm in an administrative field that won't benefit from AI that much, so I'm considering a career shift. Your videos are very helpful!

[@Kyubey12345]

Hey! I’ve been researching about court reporting. Did you see a lot of freelancing opportunities in New York? I’m from there. For example, is it easy to pick up freelance jobs? I’m also interested in official court reporting (in a court room) because of the set hours. Do you have any experience with the court setting, and how was it like if you do? I understand that learning the steno machine takes a long time so I wanted to know what the job is like.

[@okaycat12]

Hi there - thank you for your comment. There are tons of freelance opportunities available in NYC. I am kept quite busy here and sometimes have to turn down jobs because my plate is too full. I personally love freelancing because I set my own schedule and can work as much or as little as I want to. I have never worked in the courts, so unfortunately I can't help you there. I do know they get benefits and set hours, so that is a huge plus. I would recommend shadowing both types of reporters so you can see which is a better fit for you!