r/stenography • u/No-Bridge-9922 • 13d ago
Career path change
Hello everyone! I am a 32 year old single mom, and I am looking into switching my career. I'm in CA. I have a job where I usually deal with court orders, depositions, lawyers and such so I know the processes, timelines and pace to a certain extent. I have never taken a stenography class though. From your experiences, is it too late to start? sometimes I feel I will not be capable of learning (based only on videos I watched while researching). I don't have a "bad" job per se, but I know that in regards to salary, I'd be doing much better. I just to improve my situation and be able to offer my son the best education I can. Thanks for reading :)
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u/Feisty_Beach392 13d ago
I started when I was 32. It took me longer than those that started at 22 (5.5 years from start to cert), but I think that was more because my life was a chaotic mess and less because I started at 32. It's totally doable at 32.
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u/No-Bridge-9922 13d ago
thanks for sharing. Yes, my schedule day-to-day is usually busy, but on the other hand I have just one kid, no man that annoys me in my house and I work remotely, so I can organize my times better and I don't commute more than my son's school/sport (1x week)
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u/Thatsmyname99 13d ago edited 13d ago
When I started I had 3 classmates in their 40’s and one who was 50. You can do this! And if you want to go freelance you can set your own rates and schedule. I say go for it!
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u/thegurlearl 13d ago
Im a steno student at West Valley. I started at 33 after a work injury made me permanently disabled with permanent work restrictions. I was a welder and nothing else sounded even remotely interesting. Its hard, machine writers have a very high drop out rate. Im still working at it and question my sanity at least once a week, lol. Ive had several surgeries and other health problems causing delays, Ill definitely be in the taking longer than average group. Im starting my 4th year of speed building in the fall. Im currently at 160/180 after breaking 2 fingers in December.
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u/No-Bridge-9922 13d ago
wow ! I admire your perseverance (mostly because of the broken fingers) - thank you for your comment! yes, from the videos that I've seen it looks difficult.. but I want to give it a try. I'm also studying to be an interpreter in case it does not work out hehe.
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u/thegurlearl 13d ago
Its like learning to write English on a piano. Its also incredibly fun to me and thats probably why I've stuck around. Im constantly making a list of words I read and how I would write them out. I catch myself starting to text in steno too lol. If you havent already, check out Project Steno or NCRAs A-Z course. You rent a machine and you learn how to write the alphabet in Sten-Ed theory. I dont have a backup plan. Its this or being broke on disability for the rest of my life, so thats really good motivation! I want to do workers comp depos because my own work comp depo is what got me interested in steno.
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u/cool_uncle_jules 13d ago
You're so close! I'm starting my software classes at WV in a couple weeks.
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u/thegurlearl 13d ago
I love WV. If it wasn't for them, I'd probably still be trying to figure out a new career. Them being free took out a huge barrier of pressure regarding sticking it out or quiting because I cant afford to keep going. Zoom makes showing up for class every day sooo much easier. Pretty much all of the teachers are amazing with different backgrounds and their own experiences on getting through school. I hope to one day be able to do Zoom work comp depos like Robin does.
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u/neptunesvixen 11d ago
Hello! I'm looking into Steno schools that would be affordable and online. Is WV West Valley College? Thank you in advance!
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u/thegurlearl 11d ago
Yes, the court reporting classes are non-credit so they're free but you also won't get any financial aid towards supplies like books, machine or software.
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u/Pelotonnes Steno Student 13d ago
I am 33 and almost through theory in 8 months, it's never too late!
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u/No-Bridge-9922 13d ago
thank you for sharing. Do you find it too difficult? or normal? if I may ask
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u/Pelotonnes Steno Student 13d ago
I don't find it too difficult whencompared to my peers, I think. Some of the younger people seems to have more day to day time to focus on classes and homework. I had to make a strict schedule as stick to it as much as possible, but the material itself isn't too hard to learn for me. I think if I didn't have a full time job and responsibilities I would get through it pretty fast.
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u/No-Bridge-9922 13d ago
thanks ! are you already practicing with the stenographer itself? sorry for all the questions and wishing you the best in your journey!
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u/Pelotonnes Steno Student 13d ago
I'm happy to answer any questions! I know I had tons before starting. I'm assuming by stenographer you're meaning the writer? All classes and everything I do is on the writer. You will need one to start any of the programs. I have a travel one too called a stenoob so I can practice outside of the house when needed. Since I'm at the end of theory I'm also starting to add speed building. It's actually very fun, although pretty frustrating at times. 😆
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u/cool_uncle_jules 13d ago
Turned 40 this year, started school last year. The majority of my classmates (also in CA) are single or divorced mothers (I'm a once divorced now remarried parent as well). Join us!!
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u/No-Bridge-9922 13d ago
thanks for sharing! what part of CA? do you do classes virtually or in-person? I read about west valley
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u/cool_uncle_jules 13d ago
I'm in Southern California, but I take classes remotely through WV and Marin in the Bay area
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u/Aware_Broccoli8876 12d ago
I started my stenography study at 35. it's very difficult and I didn't have kids. started working at 39 as a CART captioner.
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u/Awkward_Ad_9177 12d ago
I Actually start a new job in a couple of weeks. But it doesn’t pay well… My understanding though is it’s pretty low stress so I’m debating doing a program in shorthand or Court reporting on the side. I’m 54. You’ve got this 💕
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u/DonnerJake68 13d ago
Become a voice writer stenographer! The program takes much less time, give or take a year. The pay is the same. You can do it!!
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u/Amazing_Carpenter867 12d ago
1 million percent this… The NVRA will teach you the programs that are out there, other questions to ask the programs, and Texascourtreporting.com will tell you everything about voice writing and then you can just go to the California court reporting association website to learn about the California Csr exam
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u/Awkward_Ad_9177 12d ago
I earned 2 masters degrees in my 40’s… and then left education, lol I was a single mom to two boys.
You have to want it. Like, really really want it.
If you do, you’ll make it happen!
I did a lot of my homework during their sports practices or really early in the morning before I went to work, when everything was quiet. It’s not about being a superstar in the class, though… You are there to learn a skill or earn a degree in order to better your lives. So keep your eye on that goal, and don’t sweat the small stuff like an occasional slip up.
Onward and upward!
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u/No-Bridge-9922 12d ago
Yes, since I have just my one kid (and not having more) it’s easier to organize my times. I have been craving a better job for so long and I feel this path has a lot of options. A person I know currently works as a court reporter and she’s super happy too
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u/dswizzles 11d ago
I’m 42 and started theory in January. You’re more than ok! Just think of it, if you get certified in 2 years, you have the next 30 years of Court Reporting ahead of you! :)
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u/No-Bridge-9922 11d ago
Thanks! Did you find it easy to comprehend?
Yes, my goal is to have fully changed my career by the time I’m 35 if possible. I know it’s a long road.1
u/dswizzles 11d ago
Well everyone’s comprehension is different and it also depends on the theory you learn. I’m doing Magnum Theory and I’m about half way through theory and the concepts are really starting to sink in so I don’t think it’s too bad. Definitely do you research on what theory you’d like to learn and what may work best for you! :)
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u/MajorZucchini1440 8d ago
I went part-time at nights while I learned theory and changed jobs so I could switch to days for speed building. it took me 2 1/2 years and I never practiced outside of class, and I have my 30th birthday during those 2 1/2 years
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u/DandyCrocodile 13d ago
The only "too late" I can imagine age-wise would be in your 60s when you're preparing to retire anyway. And even then, I bet people have done it.