What advice do you current reporters have for students?

I am entering year 35 as a proud Court Reporter, and I heard the same threat back in 1976.  Well, disco has come and gone, but we're still here.

I also heard horror stories where complete trials were "lost" because the audio technician's equipment failed.

In other words, I'm not worried.

I agree with pinksteno.  They can ER all they want, but the problem is the transcription and getting qualified, trained people to produce a quality transcript.  It actually costs them the same or more to do ER and then transcribe, so I see no future in it, myself.  I would not worry about it, either.  I would tell students who like to read, are organized and disciplined, they are in the right field.

I highly recommend that when people are interested in court reporting that they go to a community college first.  There are a few that have such a program at a fraction of the cost.  Cerritos College in So. Cal is one.  I've heard it's a pretty good program.  Don't get a mountain of debt.  Find out if it's for you.  Get your basics out of the way first.  Once you are in higher speeds, then it might pay to go to a private school.

I was also curious as to whether or not court reporting is being replaced with voice writing?