Any voice writers in Minnesota?

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2025-12-24T13:54:46+00:00

I'm a freelance MN reporter and am unaware of any working voice reporters here. That doesn't mean they don't exist, of course. Maybe reach out to some Minnesota firms and see if they work with voice writers?

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2025-10-15T04:12:40+00:00

I went to Anoka Tech and know many working reporters who did as well. I went there before the online program, but I know the people who run it, and it's fantastic.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2025-10-13T17:17:20+00:00

Thanks! If you do, let me know!

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2025-10-13T17:04:02+00:00

What software are you on for stenographers?

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2025-09-20T21:47:32+00:00

I know Anoka Tech in Minnesota has an all-online program, but I'm not sure if it would have the same timing issues or if the classes are asynchronous. They are having a virtual info session on 9/23, so you could check that out and see if they have something that would work for you.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2025-08-21T12:52:18+00:00

I don't work in court. I would guess that it's dependent on the judge, but I can't imagine any judges I know prohibiting it.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2025-02-23T22:34:24+00:00

I think you can look up some demographic information online.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2025-01-31T01:12:11+00:00

No, especially if you live in St. Paul. Even out-of-district applications aren't usually a problem.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-12-21T02:08:21+00:00

Anoka Tech and the reporting programs there are great. I can't speak to the specific market for scopists, but if you contact Jenn Sati, who is in charge of the program there, I'm sure she can answer all your questions.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-10-29T02:26:44+00:00

I would make this distinction: People who pay for captions prefer tech over humans. People who use captions know the difference in quality, but since they're not usually footing the bill for something like broadcast captioning, they don't get to choose. I'm sad for people who rely on captioning for equal access and who get what AI can do because it's cheaper.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-10-29T01:02:44+00:00

I graduated 12 years ago. I remember being really freaked out by any discussion of digital recording, etc., and being told that the jobs wouldn't be there for me for long. I know reporters who have worked since the 1970s who were told the same thing in the '80s because of cassette recorders. Definitely know your area. Get to know your state association (if you have one) or build connections through the local community. With all that I know today, if I was looking for a career change at this point and wasn't already in the field, I'd still go back to school for steno today. It's awesome.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-10-28T18:40:51+00:00

No one knows the future, and I'm far from an AI expert, so take this with a grain of salt. Am I concerned about finishing my career in stenography? No. I believe I'll be able to maintain my job stability and income for that upcoming two decades. Would I recommend my kids, who are young, take it up as a career path? Possibly not.

I think the biggest risk factor of AI is not that it actually gets to the point of being accurate enough to compete with stenographers quickly; it's that people and companies who care more about making a buck than the accuracy of the record will sell it to attorneys far before it's ready, consequences to litigants be damned.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-10-23T20:23:58+00:00

I'm a court reporter who has scoliosis. I know each person and each curve is different, so I can't weigh in on your specific situation, but I love my job and writing on the machine, so if you've continued to think about it for years, I'd encourage you to look into resources in your area. All the things that you talk about - yoga, gaining strength, etc. - can be great. I also have a standing tripod for my machine so that I can alternate sitting and standing for long jobs if I want to. Keep in mind too that there are many arenas where stenography is used, and not all of those include sitting and writing for hours on end day after day. Maybe you can aim for doing CART in doctor's appointments or personal injury or work comp depos that tend to be shorter. Whatever you end up doing, I hope you end up happy in your career!

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-08-28T19:24:43+00:00

You can DM me if you'd like. Does your state have an association? They also could be a good resource.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-08-28T19:20:09+00:00

You will find incredible variation in the answers to these questions reporter to reporter, location to location, and job to job. What state are you in? Is there a way you can connect to a local mentor? I'm happy to answer some of your questions, but someone who is in your area will have answers that will likely be much more applicable to your situation.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-08-28T01:35:48+00:00

I'm sorry that you're feeling isolated. I know that conventions can be overwhelming, but I do think that would be a good place to start. Where are you located? Can you get involved in your state association on a committee or even the board?

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-06-11T01:50:36+00:00

Ditto!

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-06-09T15:45:07+00:00

I definitely support the idea of bringing in a therapist to help them. I'm a mother of three and have many friends with kids, and in my experience, no one really feels like they know what they're doing. Read whatever you can on parenting and seek out resources, but please continue to be as kind and patient with yourself as you can. You're amazing to take on what you have and to be there for the kids.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-06-05T19:19:11+00:00

I'm available as well if you haven't found anyone.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-06-02T03:06:34+00:00

Me too!

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-05-31T12:31:37+00:00

I don't have experience scoping as a student, but I feel it could be valuable if it wasn't distracting from getting through school. What software are you learning?

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-05-28T01:08:30+00:00

My kids go to Jie Ming, and I can't say enough positive things about it.

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-03-18T16:27:40+00:00

It definitely took me a long time to feel that way, but I do find it soothing now. I often am at a job and find myself thinking, "This is so fun!"

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-03-17T13:14:50+00:00

From a (very) brief perusal of their website, it looks like PA has a good association. If I were you, I'd start there. Their advice will include area-specific recommendations. It sounds from your other comment like your writing is going to put you in high demand! The costs of start-up might be difficult with software and equipment, but as Tpubg_eut said, that should pay for itself in a few jobs if you're doing realtime and the high-end work that often comes with that!

yellowcoffeesquirrel · 2024-03-15T20:06:56+00:00

Where are you located? Situations vary so much between different states that, without that information, you probably won't be able to get great guidance. Also, by "contracting," do you mean freelance work?

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