Summertime Week in the Life of a Court Reporter in NYC!

Hey guys -
I decided to film a week in the life this time instead of a day in the life. I actually really enjoyed doing it this way, so please let me know if you like it too!!!!
I've been enjoying a slightly slower pace work-wise than normal, and have loved having room in my schedule for leisure time and self care. I worked an in-person job in this video, and it was super stressful to get back to it after about a month of being at home.
The good news is I survived it!!! And have since done several more in-person jobs that also went fairly smoothly.
I think I'll do another weeklong video for next time, which will hopefully be soon!!
Hope you enjoy ~

[@jmatos7872]

Such a good video. I loved everything about your travels, ugh, I miss home. Continued success wishes for you. xoxo

[@meghannthestallion]

I work from home doing insurance total loss claims. I haven't worked in person in over 2 years. Its interesting watching how others work from home and manage their time. Enjoyed your video!

[@okaycat12]

Hi - thank you for your comment!!! Insurance claims sound interesting. Do any of your cases involve depositions? I get a lottt of car accident and property damage cases lol Hopefully you are enjoying working fully remote!!! I still kind of struggle with time management, especially being self-employed, but I'm just a lot happier doing things on my own!! My last in-person was in March 2020, and I just started taking a couple in-person depos in January 2023, so almost three whole years being fully remote. The variety is kind of nice now though 😊 Anyway, hope you're doing well!!

[@meghannthestallion]

@@okaycat12 many of the cases do involve litigation and we have to place the claim on hold until the litigation is completed and the vehicle is released. Most are straightforward and we have a lot of theft as well. I don’t think I could go back to commuting and working in an office. My job is very production driven and we have goals we have to meet daily, weekly, monthly but some days it’s hard to stay on task. I will usually turn on music or an audio book and just zone out and work. Probably not easy for you to do that as you have to listen to people speaking!

[@ariesspring2161]

@@meghannthestallion Hi! Are you still working remotely? What are the requirements for a job like yours?

[@Nina52117]

I really enjoyed this video, thank you for uploading. I’m thinking about doing transcriptions and listening to your daily really helped! ❤

[@okaycat12]

Thank you for your comment 🥰 I have really been loving my transcription work lately. It gives me a nice balance and I just generally feel less stressed out. I'd say it's worth trying if you are interested 😊

[@lisareynolds4028]

Enjoyed your post. I can tell you worked hard on it. Here in Texas I am still 100 percent zoom depositions. I haven’t taken an in person in 3 years. I am making so much money this way and it’s easier on my brain body and emotions to not have to drive everywhere in this brutal heat. Many of the Court Reporting firms here are offering $150 to $200 bonuses on top of your normal fees to cover an in-person deposition. I guess others don’t want to go back to in-person either. I still am living that keyboard of yours!

[@okaycat12]

Hi - thank you for your comment!!! That's awesome that you're still 100 percent remote and loving it. Sounds like they treat you well down in Texas!! I can imagine it is not fun for anyone to be out and about in the Texas summers. Even high 80s is too hot for my New York blood lol I'm probably like 75 percent remote at this point. I've gotten so used to working from home, but have (surprisingly) enjoyed taking a couple in-person jobs. It's nice to not have to worry about everybody's internet quality lol. The worst part is definitely the commute. Anyway, nice hearing from you. Glad you're doing well!! ☺

[@jazzypanduh]

Hey girl! Love your videos, thanks for posting. I did 3 months of self-teaching/exploring theories and 4 months into schooling now. I learned all of StenEd and I’m going through all the dictations now. I’m at around 80wpm and getting faster each week. Super excited to get to where you’re at 😊

[@okaycat12]

Hi - that is so awesome!!! I hope you're enjoying it so far. The higher speeds will be more challenging, but please don't get discouraged if you don't get them right away!!! You can do it. Just keep practicing. You'll have to keep me posted on your progress :)

[@riano]

your vlogs are so inspirational!! still in school but can't wait to start working like this

[@okaycat12]

Hi so glad you enjoyed the video!! I'm so excited for you to get started in this career soon!!!!

[@Eric-yt7rt]

Oh my gosh, the musubi from that place look so good!!

[@okaycat12]

they are sooo good!!! they have a natto version that I'm scared/tempted to try lol maybe next time

[@8Celfyndel8]

OG Ramune is the ish. What We Do in the Shadows is so good!

[@katrinaflores2012]

Hi! I messaged you one year ago. I attend Alfred State and just finished theory. You inspired me to attend Alfred, and I love it so far! Spring semester will be my first speed building class. During the winter break, I'm trying to reach a solid 100 wpm. What would be your best piece of advice? What were you focusing on the most at this stage? I'm really trying to drill short phrases. Thank you for your videos! Please do more! They are very encouraging to us students :)

[@okaycat12]

Hi!!!!! Omg this makes me so happy!!! I'm so glad you're enjoying it so far :) Speed building is much more challenging than theory, so please just don't get discouraged. You won't pass every speed test, and that's okay!!! I would have like a dry spell of not passing speed tests, and then all of a sudden I would be up several levels from where I was before. Just trust the process and keep practicing. Remember that it's a combination of writing faster and shorter, so make sure you're working on getting your finger speed up (no hesitation) as well as your short forms engrained in your brain. One thing that helped me with speed was to try to avoid using the asterisk key. I would get stuck in a circle of trying to remember my short form, delete, another attempt, delete, another attempt, delete, and then just writing it out the long way anyway. Look how many strokes that wasted! And then I would have to drop words to catch up again. Just do your best to hit your best approximation and then keep moving. You can (and should) go back later to practice that short form until you can do it without hesitation, but don't linger on it during speed practice or speed takes. Anyway, I hope this helps. Thank you for posting this update, and I look forward to hearing more from you in the future!!!

[@katrinaflores2012]

Thank you for your very thoughtful response! You make a really good point about not overdoing the asterisk. This will no doubt slow anybody down. I really appreciate you sharing a few tips. This has been so helpful and encouraging. I'll check in sometime next year!! Have a Happy New Year! 2024! Yay!

[@nicolemakres202]

Is going to Alfred as a part time student a year or two years?

[@jillibean9261]

your videos inspire me to practice!! i know ive commented on your videos before, but i am going for 200 and so close, this is exactly what i want to be doing ! ( and i am in NYC too, even more motivating !)

[@okaycat12]

wow 200!! You are soooo close to being done. That is so exciting!! One thing that helped me at that point is to start trying to write as short as possible. Your finger speed maxes out at a certain point, but you can always implement better short forms so you have fewer strokes. You will love this career. There's lots of work available here in NYC, and you can do as much (or as little) as you want! Anyway, good luck to you!!! Keep me posted on your progress 😊

[@ShenitaRamos]

That's awesome. I am in NYC as well are you attending a program? If so, which one? I would prefer to practice at home.

[@bl3805]

Youre my favourite court reporting youtube channel :)

[@AllThingsAniyah]

I’m thinking about going to school for court reporting after I graduate with my B.S in journalism in may…it seems very interesting. It’s between this and law school so🤞🏾

[@ElynourRummyng]

Holy shit you’re in my same exact situation I was considering either this or law school after graduating with my journalism degree. What did you end up deciding?

[@mjm3241]

Hello! I was wondering were you get your jobs. Do you work for a firm or company? I live in NYC as well and was curious about jobs that are available. Thanks!

[@okaycat12]

Hi there - thank you for your question!! Yes, I get all of my jobs through agencies. There are quite a few in NYC, though many of the smaller firms are being bought up by the huge national companies, like Veritext and Lexitas. I hope this helps!!

[@sweetlady3651]

How long did u go to shool for cort reporting

[@okaycat12]

Hi - My program was five semesters, so it was a little over two years because I started in the spring semester instead of fall. Hope this helps!

[@sweetlady3651]

I live in California and was wondering how would I get started and is it better working from home

[@okaycat12]

@@sweetlady3651 I know California has different requirements than New York when it comes to certification, but you can start by checking the NCRA's website for a list of approved schools. They also note which ones have a completely online program, if that's something you're interested in. NCRA also has a FREE online intro program called "A to Z" that could help you see if court reporting is the right career path for you before you enroll in and pay for a school program. As far as working from home, I was working exclusively from home for a little over two years and loved it, but now I do a mix of both working from home and taking in-person jobs and I think I prefer it this way :) I hope this helps!

[@sweetlady3651]

@okaycat12 thank you so much for replying. I appreciated your time, and I'll look into that

[@daniellehedger3644]

how do you like this career?

[@ShenitaRamos]

Hello, thank you for your videos. I am a Notary Public in NYC, I am interested in becoming a court reporter. I read that if you are a notary, you don't have to take an exam? Is this accurate? If so, what steps should I take? I will be practicing at home for now. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

[@okaycat12]

Hi - thank you for your comment!! It is true that you do not need to take an exam in New York, but I do think you need to complete an NCRA-approved certificate program or associate's degree program in addition to the notary license. You can check out NCRA's website for a list of schools, including some that are fully online. They also have a free intro program called A to Z that can help you see if court reporting is a good fit for you. I hope this helps!!

[@ShenitaRamos]

@@okaycat12 thank you!

[@melissavega1800]

You making 100k yet?

[@katrinaflores2012]

Hello again! I hope all is going well for you this new year. :) I drop by because I started Speed Building1 this spring semester. Yay! I will need to interview a freelance reporter soon. Would you be available to answer a few questions via email? I would be so grateful as I really enjoy your videos and personality. The paper isn't due until February 9th, so there is no last-minute rush or pressure. If you are available, let me know and I'll respond with my email. Thank you!!

[@okaycat12]

Hi! I could definitely answer some questions for you, with the exception of revealing my real name. Just wanted to say that first in case that's a requirement for your assignment. I hope your semester is going well so far!!