The Birth Of My Court Reporting Passion

Last week I got to visit my alma mater - South Coast College of Court Reporting.  Jean Gonzalez, the president of SCC, did a little write up about me on her blog, so I thought I'd return the favor plus up the ante by posting a snapshot below.
 
South Coast College of Court Reporting - My Early Childhood Memories
When I began court reporting school back in, oh, let's say -- last century -- 1993 to be exact, I chose South Coast College as my training ground.  As a student I never regretted the choice.  As a licensed professional now in my ninth year in the court reporting field, I have never regretted the choice either. 

As readers of this blog will know, I go around to a lot of court reporting schools.  I go around to pump up the court reporting students.  I try to tell them that court reporting is a great profession and that they need to focus on getting out of school and into the depo chair.  (Or court room chair).  I'm very passionate about this field and I think a lot of that passion is  a direct result of Jean Gonzalez' passion.  Whether it's honing her own theory textbook known as Roberts Walsh Gonzalez, or running a private court reporting college since before God was a boy (as my mother from Oklahoma might quip), or being a powerful advocate for the court reporting profession -- I can say that I definitely did chose the right school back in '93.
 
 
They Say Court Reporting School Attendance Is Down?
Take a look at this picture >>>>>>> 

I took this picture of a vehicle WITHOUT handicap tags parked WITHIN a handicap parking space.  This photo was taken by me while visiting South Coast College.  Their parking lot was packed to the gills.  Just so you know, they have a rather large parking lot (forgot to take a snapshot of that though) -- room for probably 300+ cars.  And not one legitimate space was available to this able-bodied person in the gas hogging SUV. 

Okay, I'm the able-bodied gas hog.  It's my car in the photo. 

The custodian was directing traffic when I arrived for my visit to South Coast College -- he TOLD me to park there.  I felt bad but he said it'd be okay.  I had to confess it here on this blog.  They say court reporting schools are on the decline?  Judging by this full house, not here it isn't!
 

Monday, March 10, 2008

Author
Todd Olivas

Todd Olivas is a court reporter and entrepreneur.
He founded TO&A in 2003.

  Comment by Michelle | Tuesday, June 10, 2008

This message is for Todd-

I am a court reporting student at South Coast College, currently on a year long break after having my daughter. I had been in school for 1 1/2 yrs and was at 120 wpm when I left. Right now I am at a fork in the road between returning to SCC or Cal State Fullerton, and I am looking for some guidance. I am nervous about how long school takes and hitting a wall at a high speed and being stuck forever. My family tells me at least college is a sure thing.. and they worry about the changes in technology. I did read your blog regarding future voice recognition. I don`t personally know anyone that is a CR. I know you are very busy, but if you have a moment, please email me at MHolmes425@yahoo.com. I would love any mentoring or encouragement you could provide.

Thank you so much


  Comment by Todd Olivas | Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Dear Michelle,

Thank you for writing and congratulations on your new daughter!  While I can`t speak specifically to your personal situation, I can definitely say that FOR ME, this profession saved my life.  I struggled with that same dilemma that you mentioned... regular college is a sure thing.  You spend your time there, put in the required credit/hours, and they give you a degree.  Not so for court reporting. It`s a self-paced program that depends on the individual`s own drive and motivation.  Here is a little list of things that you should be doing in order to get out of school quickly:

•I will show up for school.  Everyday.
•I will review my theory daily.
•I will type every test no matter what.
•I will start a practice club with some friends on weekends. 
•I will allow other people to hold me accountable for monitoring my distractions.
•I will (if at all possible) enroll in both day and night programs. 
•I will find a mentor, be a mentor…

Also, if you are having doubts about anything, please have a meeting with Jean Gonzalez the President of South Coast College.  She is an awesome educator and motivator and I`m sure she can steer you right!

Best of luck!

-Todd


  Comment by Jean Gonzalez | Tuesday, July 1, 2008

With preparing for our accreditation visit, I didn`t have a chance to view your write up of your South Coast College visit. Thanks for the kind words. I want to link the blog you wrote to our blog. How do I do that?

P.S. I just saw Robert Short today. I want to get both of you on our advisory board.


  Comment by Todd | Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Jean, you could include HTML code like the following into your page:


(Just copy and paste that code)

Thank you!

-Todd


  Comment by Susan Ricker | Thursday, July 22, 2010
I LOVE your blog! I`ve been checking in from time to time, between Court Reporting classes and my job, and do not get to it as often as I`d like - so I`m apologizing in advance if you have already answered this quesiton.

I`m at 190 Q/A and think I`m finally ready to invest in a laptop (I`ve been working on a desktop, both at home and at school). This is a big investment for me and I want to get it right.

Any suggestions? Things/features/etc. you would really suggest making sure you have?

Thanks!

Suze

  Comment by Todd | Thursday, July 22, 2010
Hi, Susan. Thanks for stopping by! I would suggest you head on over to http://www.readback.org which is my Q&A website. There is a great bunch of reporters on there would can answer your question in a jiffy.
  Comment by Ashley P | Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Hello:)
I stumbled across your blog on readback.org and I`m so glad I found it. Im in my 6th week of my first semester as a court reporting student. I look forward to reading your blogs and staying motivated throughout this process! I`m so excited! Thanks again :)

  Comment by Todd Olivas | Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Thank you, Ashley! Keep up the motivation!!
  Comment by Susan | Sunday, April 17, 2011
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.
  Comment by Theresa Phillips-Blackwell | Thursday, January 31, 2013
Hi, Todd. I know you won`t remember me, but I also attended South Coast College, and you were actually my teacher in 120s. Anyway, I`ve been reporting now since 2002, and it`s been a great career for me.


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