Considering CR/Captioning School

I am a scopist/proofreader/transcriptionist and I am seriously considering going back to CR/captioning school.  However, it seems that everyone that I have approached in So. California with respect to my plan has some negativity to share about the industry and the direction that it seems to be taking.  I'm very discouraged at the moment and feeling very lost. I've found several programs that are online which is what I would need but I'm afraid of investing financially in furthering a career that everyone seems to be telling me is becoming obsolete.  Even if that were true on some level of CR, I honestly don't see how it could be possible for captioning/CART but people have some pretty negative things to say about that as well.  I really find myself at a loss as to what to do. I hope someone will respond with some positivity because it's just all so discouraging.    

Poster, I think with every profession there comes a level of risk involved.  Court reporting is no different.  I think being a scopist, you have a leg up on the incoming wave of court reporting students as you understand the language.  I would say, however, that you cannot enter court reporting school questioning whether the profession is right for you simply because you have to sacrifice so much, have such a desire to follow the program through, and be willing to live, breath, and think steno for several hours a day in order to complete the program in an efficient time period.

As a student, I personally love the program and the challenges that it provides and should the day come in which stenographers are no longer needed, I'll know that I'll have no problem adapting to something else as if I can make it through court reporting school, I can accomplish just about anything.

Stenographer skills will never become obsolete, they continue to expand into new markets.  I am a new student myself, and having checked into numerous online schools, I chose DACR since it can be done in 2.5 years vs. the 3-5 of other schools.  (Denver Academy of Court Reporting)  I Love my steno teachers, they always respond quickly to all of my emails and are always uplifting and encouraging to me and my fellow students.  Some of us are in the 'older' generation and that is working better for us since we know what dedication is about. 

Yes, it is hard as hell, a lot harder than I thought it would be considering I'm an excellent typist, blah blah blah.  I have already started networking with established CR's and am loving it!  Check it out and know that your life will be put on hold for those 2.5 years.  Only you can determine if it is a sacrifice your willing to make.

Hope this helps!

The important words in your post are "seriously considering."  You know you want to do it.  You have a fantastic advantage because of your skills.

I've said this before and I will say it again.  I started reporting in 1977, and I'm still here, upgraded and ready for new challenges.

Stay with it and please do not get discouraged.

Good luck!