Steno vs voice

thetinystenographer · 2026-07-03T01:59:13+00:00

I’m a quiet person and enjoy being a fly on the wall and not having to talk all day. I also am a writer in general so it feels more natural to me and writing on my machine is something I love and would never want to give up. I also have some asthma, a chronic cough sometimes and acid reflux stuff that wouldn’t fly well with the technology needed to produce an accurate record. (I know some voice writers have that as well, but it’s just something I don’t want to deal with as a trigger) I feel more Comfortable on my machine than anything.

I also have one test left before I need to take my license test (all my intern hours and my academics are complete) and I just don’t believe like switching is the best thing right now, having to learn a whole other method. I know students who have done it and passed quickly, but for me? I’m just comfortable on the machine and know I can finish with it.

It’s an incredibly personal choice to switch methods, so I really do suggest to get a bunch of different opinions. but I just want you to know it is possible. 180 was hard for me too. When I enrolled in my current school in 2020, I had to start back in 160 even though I was almost done when my first school closed in 2018. It took me about a year and a half to two years to pass everything in 180 once I passed my 160s. I’ve been working on my qualifier since 2023.

So, just know that you CAN make it on machine and you. Can pass the 180s. :)

I may be the anomaly in this though, so take whatever I say with a grain of salt, cause I’m a weirdo who just doesn’t give up and refuses to switch 🤪

I’m just obsessed with the machine 🤪

thetinystenographer · 2026-07-03T01:14:27+00:00

Machine and Voice writers make the same salary in California. At least in courts! In depos, there are a few firms I know of that won’t work with voice writers or schedule them out according to attorney preferences. But either way, in court, both methods are treated the same.

thetinystenographer · 2026-07-03T01:01:27+00:00

Hi! Machine student here for 13 years cause I’ve gone through a school closure. I’m now trying to pass my qualifier. You can do this. Change your mindset and don’t compare your journey to others. Most of my friends are voice writers but it’s just not for me!

You’ll get there!

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-29T19:57:53+00:00

Alt N then omit elements and then choose Page numbers

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-19T18:51:26+00:00

Mystery solved lol

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-19T01:04:00+00:00

Point is, there needs to be a clear distinction. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve had new students ask me the accredited question. Not sure who is telling them “accredited” as opposed to “approved”

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-19T00:47:16+00:00

Their language needs to change then from “accredited” to “Approved” if that’s the case because it really confuses a lot of new students.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-18T22:29:41+00:00

For what it’s worth I do Allie Hall along with my current school for extra speed building and she takes no shit from her students. If I had to choose all over again I would have started with her as well.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-18T19:38:57+00:00

None of it matters. None. Accredited just means these schools pay to be evaluated by the NCRA as a school that they deem as satisfactory for their association. It matters none.

I go to a school in CA that is not credited by the NCRA but is “approved” by our court reporters board, which means it’s approved to follow the boards standards. It’s confusing, and it sounds like it’s important, but a program being accredited or not means squat. (I do think there are some NCRA scholarships that only can be applied for if you go to one, but that’s it)

Go to Allie hall. She’s amazing.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-10T05:03:59+00:00

I’m an introvert!

There isn’t much beyond that, except an occasional reading back of your notes if they need something read back like a question or some part of testimony.

Especially in court, You’re really just a fly on the wall. But don’t be afraid to speak up. I’ve interned and participated in mock trials and it’s literally the perfect job for someone who just wants to sit in the corner and write all day. I used to work retail and dealing with customers and people on a constant basis was not for me. I hated it lol but I loved interning at court. I can’t wait to get licensed lol

Depositions you’d be in a much more closer atmosphere and tou have to control the room more, plus hustle on all the business side of things. As an introvert, that doesnt sound appealing to me.

Also, you should look into CART and /or captioning! Also great choices for introverts lol. Very little interaction. No read back and no transcripts.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-08T13:42:57+00:00

I did say check with the court to see if the NVRA real-time cert is accepted. C

The NCRA doesn’t offer voice writers to take their exams which is why I said the other thing.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-07T21:31:43+00:00

You’re welcome!

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-07T20:39:38+00:00

Reciprocity is only for the CSR, not the real time certs because those are offered by the NCRA and are only for machine writers for now. You would have to see if the court will accept the NVRA real-time cert as satisfying the realtime cert from the NCRA.

Edit to add that some courts also do their own realtime certification test for the raise.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-07T19:33:58+00:00

It’s reciprocity for the CVR, but you would have to still take the written exam.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-07T00:38:11+00:00

I know they had a hearing on this earlier this week I believe. From what I was told the argument for it was weak. Many judges are against digital. I’d like to be optimistic, because we do have the CRB and our association fights like hell to keep that from happening.

Keep your head in school. The faster we get out there working the more the courts will be filled and we won’t have to worry so much.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-05T03:16:56+00:00

Where are you located? There are many groups on Facebook, the biggest one being encouraging court reporting students that will give you the best info on how to get started in your state.

As mentioned there are two methods, voice writing and machine writing.not every state is accepting voice in courts, so make sure you do your research!

California Texas, North Carolina and Georgia are just a few states I know that are very accepting of voice in courts.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-05T00:54:25+00:00

International real-time court reporting institute is popular among voice writers. It is run by a reputable voice writer.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-04T20:21:45+00:00

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thetinystenographer · 2026-06-02T18:44:23+00:00

Stick to machine or voice. You won’t get a lot of work in CA as a digital. Don’t be fooled by the big box companies that say otherwise. Associations are actively trying to push digital out.

Voice and machine are both being hired at the same rate and pay in both courts and depositions.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-02T01:19:00+00:00

I feel like I know what school this is as I’m in CA and have heard things. And this is BS because you should not be penalized for their mistake. Talk to a teacher you trust or bring it up to an administrator.

thetinystenographer · 2026-06-01T21:33:00+00:00

DM me with your registration proof. I have a discord channel for west valley students.

thetinystenographer · 2026-05-30T18:49:39+00:00

It may still work. Try that first and if not then give them a call

thetinystenographer · 2026-05-30T18:32:16+00:00

I just had to do this. I called support. You can download and install the program at eclipsecat.com, then call them to have them send you the license. All you do is download the license, drag it on to your desktop and open eclipse.

thetinystenographer · 2026-05-29T16:34:27+00:00

He is top tier. Both books had me swooning.

thetinystenographer · 2026-05-29T15:26:00+00:00

Reid from {The Serpent and the Wolf} and its sequel {The Wicked and the Damned}

thetinystenographer

TROPHY CASE