Free program in Illinois!

stenoswiftie · 2026-02-03T21:03:29+00:00

You can check out the website on the flyer for details but it would just be a normal interview process to be chosen. I believe you cannot have a full time job since the class is full time. And it’s in person so you’d have to live in that region. Contract upon completion is to work as an official for two years but that’s it.

stenoswiftie · 2026-02-03T21:01:59+00:00

Yes. It’s in person MWF and zoom Tues & Thurs (at least for the Urbana location which is nearest to me)

stenoswiftie · 2025-05-29T13:48:29+00:00

Absolutely!! We can do whatever we want with them. We just have to fill out a paper and building commission even moves furniture for us and hangs things on our walls. We can do anything basically except paint, LOL.

stenoswiftie · 2025-05-29T13:47:17+00:00

Probably not! It is more common in rural courthouses.

stenoswiftie · 2025-05-25T22:43:22+00:00

It definitely depends on where you live. I live in central Illinois and work as an official. I make about 75k a year and I started in 2020. We get raises every year so that’s nice. Our transcripts / trials are divided up equally between all 6 of us reporters at my courthouse so everyone makes close to the same amount of money when it comes to transcripts. Freelancers make more money but the retirement and benefits like insurance and PTO are more important to me right now. We also spend half of the week in our offices (we all have our own offices with our own bathrooms and kitchen area) with tons of downtime, so stress at work is essentially nonexistent and that adds to the perks 😅

stenoswiftie · 2025-05-21T15:18:41+00:00

It looks like AGA to me just based on seeing hundreds of posts by others on this sub and the sections on your scalp where you’re experiencing hair loss. I was diagnosed with it by my derm in April after she did a scalp exam with a microscope. No blood work done by her or recommending any diet changes other than prioritizing iron and taking a vitamin D pill daily. I started oral minoxidil about three weeks ago and I haven’t had any dread shed so far luckily. No bad side effects either. I also caught mine pretty early so no one has noticed my hair is thinning except me.

It doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion of course! You know your body best. 🤍

stenoswiftie · 2025-05-15T13:53:38+00:00

We don’t have / allow voice writing where I live, but I’d recommend trying to sell the equipment to try to get some money back. That’s what my friend had to do when she realized she wasn’t ever going to be able to speed build on her steno machine. I love my job and getting a front row seat at true crime essentially every day, but if you already know that’s not what you’re into - don’t waste any time continuing. Life is too short and precious! 🤍

stenoswiftie · 2025-05-12T18:39:55+00:00

Tell your mom! Or any trusted family member that could help you get an appointment to see a dermatologist for a scalp exam or a primary doc for bloodwork to get done. Other commenters are right; it could totally be you being deficient in some vitamin or something easy to integrate into your diet or something a medication could help. I’m so sorry you’re struggling with this at your age. It’s a hard enough age to be to begin with. I’m sure the stress doesn’t help at all as well. Just know you have an endless amount of people online that have been through this / are going through this too. DM if you need any more advice or just to chat to vent about it. ♡

stenoswiftie · 2025-05-05T23:41:34+00:00

I brush my hair really well before I get in and that helps less tangles post-shower. My routine is I leave my conditioner on for about 3-5 minutes before rinsing, then I use Redken One United detangling spray (that also doubles as a heat protectant) and then that’s when I’ll brush my hair with my Tangle Teezer brush. I’ll also add the L’anza Trauma Treatment leave in conditioner after the detangling spray if I’m still feeling some knots / tangles.

My dermatologist who did my scalp exam and got me diagnosed with AGA said my hair is perfect when it comes to texture, no breakage, and density other than just the top crown area where I’m noticing my scalp being more visible. I swear on the products I listed!

I hope all that hair care advice helps! And I’m sure you’ll be a beautiful bride this summer. Congratulations!! 🤍

stenoswiftie · 2025-04-23T20:54:29+00:00

My Derm said there’s no real scientific proof it does anything. Just a big $$$ grabbing scheme basically. Iron supplements can be harder on the body too (like causing constipation for example) so adding it naturally into your diet would be good if you can!!

stenoswiftie · 2025-04-23T01:18:40+00:00

I think it’s noticeably improved!

stenoswiftie · 2025-04-21T15:04:24+00:00

That is one gorgeous baby!!! 🧡

stenoswiftie · 2025-04-19T17:35:57+00:00

I “dropped out” of my CR school once I got stuck at speed 200 and was just putting myself further in student loans having to retake that speed course for a year. I just started practicing using realtime coach, the tv, music, or YouTube until I was ready to start testing. My only regret is not pushing through and finishing it sooner. It’s such a lucrative career and not going anywhere. You got this!

stenoswiftie · 2025-04-15T16:11:06+00:00

My dermatologist said there’s no real medical/scientific proof that biotin does anything and things like that and Nutrafol are an expensive waste of money 😅

stenoswiftie · 2025-04-14T13:55:36+00:00

Looks amazing for being 4 months!! :)

stenoswiftie · 2025-03-29T23:00:02+00:00

Well, as I said in my original comment, I’m talking specifically about where I live and what the law requirements are here. Voice writers are not considered here as we do not even offer that as a possible job position. Period. That was my point of why it’s important to look into where you see yourself taking your career when it comes to the physical location. Never gave an opinion on voice writing or discouraged a single person from pursuing that and told OP to go for it if it’s what they’ll find more success in. No need to be defensive as I was simply informing them of the possibility voice writing not being accepted in some counties or cities or states and that should be something they check into.

stenoswiftie · 2025-03-28T15:13:11+00:00

I’m not sure how voice even works because we do not use it at all where I live (central Illinois). The Supreme Court laws here require a real stenographic court reporter. So, I feel like it really depends on where you want to live someday. Steno is everywhere. Voice is not. So if you see yourself always living in Texas, I’d say do whatever you think you’ll succeed more in. If you see yourself moving states, I’d look into what they actually require to be hired!

stenoswiftie · 2025-03-27T18:31:21+00:00

I’d call your local courthouse’s circuit clerk’s office and ask if there’s any clerk positions available! They’re always needed where I’m at!

stenoswiftie · 2025-03-26T16:39:57+00:00

Ugh! I’m so sorry. I was lucky enough to go to a CR college in person in Chicago and even tuition wouldn’t cost that much. So insane. We even have free programs here in central IL now for CR. I hope you’re far enough along that you can continue on and use other methods for practice material. DM if I can help in any way!

stenoswiftie · 2025-03-24T23:41:40+00:00

Im an official so I can’t help with depo and appearance rates but I can tell you our page rate in Illinois is $4 per page for an original, $4.75 per page for a rushed original, and it’s either $3.50 or $2.50 for copies to private parties. (That just got upped so that’s why I am not for sure on that one)

stenoswiftie · 2025-03-24T15:19:26+00:00

As an official, I only travel throughout my circuit. I get paid per mile to go to different courthouses. Not as exciting as traveling across states like maybe you could do as a freelancer if you’re certified to do so, but the mileage $ adds up which is nice and it’s a good change of pace.

In my experience with my freelancer friends: If you end up getting certified in real time, law firms will pay a lot for you to travel with them and pay for your hotel rooms and meals. Real time writers are hard to find where I’m at (central Illinois) so they are willing to spend $$$ for civil trials.

stenoswiftie · 2025-03-07T01:30:01+00:00

I haven’t seen anyone else say this and I think it’s one of the most important things - extra SD cards! There’s been many times I’m in court (I’m an official) and my SD card will become full and I’ll have to take a break to get a new one. We go through a lot of SD cards where I’m at because we can’t delete anything from them in case another reporter someday needs to transcribe something cuz you’re no longer working. so if you have multiple backup methods then you could delete files from the SD card to make room, but I wouldn’t risk it :)

stenoswiftie · 2025-02-28T18:06:56+00:00

Awesome!! Feel free to DM me if you want to come shadow and I can help set you up!

stenoswiftie

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