09/15/2014

Do You Support the Future of our Profession?

Mentoring…what does the word conjure for you?

Submitted by Kelly Linkowski, RPR, CRR, CBC, CCP, CPE

---

 

It’s the first day of school for two ladies I met through sharing information about our profession during the 2014 National Court Reporting & Captioning Week.  I’m excited, and plan on cheering them on every step of the way.

Mentoring…what does the word conjure for you?  I believe the hardest part of accomplishing our goal of becoming a professional court reporter is to get through school and the first two years in the field.  If you can handle that, you’re set with a fabulous career for the rest of your life, full of opportunities and job satisfaction. 

Remember the frustration of theory and the hours of isolation with earphones on?  Taking your machine across country on vacations?   Missing the next speed by one error?  Hearing, yet again, when are you going to graduate or what’s so hard about it?   Reporting school can be lonesome, and only those that have had past success can understand what students are going through. 

Take a minute to shoot a student a word of encouragement, a handy brief, or a funny mistranslate.  Give a student your e-shoulder to share accomplishments and frustrations.  Students, you can sign up today for a mentor with our OCRA Mentor Request Form.  And, reporters, use the same OCRA Mentor Request Form and indicate in the "Any other information..." field that you are a reporter looking to help our future reporters and want to mentor.

Also, consider paying the membership fee for a student you know and/or donating the fee to any student within Ohio.  At just $25 per year, OCRA student memberships guarantee our future reporters are starting off in the right direction, with the right support team!  Visit our Join/Renew area on the website to submit a new application and/or contact Kelly Linkowski for additional information!