People may say that being the best instant message chatter that you know is not a marketable skill. But if you learn to see the positive and the possible in even the mundane, you can make something out of what appears to be nothing. After all, being able to chat online requires two major skills: fast typing and the ability to quickly ascertain and respond to a situation. These are two skills that can come in very handy if you are interested in becoming a court reporter. If you've already got these skills, then all you really need to get off the ground is a steno degree.

Stenography comes from the Greek words "stenos," meaning "narrow," and "graph," meaning "to write." Most court reporters transcribe courtroom proceedings, hearings, and depositions using a special stenotype machine that allows them to type over 200 words per minute, once they're ready to hit the work force. Getting your steno degree will train you in how to use a stenotype, how to improve both your typing and listening skills, and in the courtroom jargon you'll need to know in order to follow direction in a courtroom, so that your transcripts are as accurate as possible.

You should be sure to pursue your steno degree from a school that in recognized by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). If you don't, you may end up spending a lot of time on a stenography degree that isn't recognized by anyone hiring stenographers. You can easily check to see whether the program you're considering is approved by the NCRA or not. If you want to avoid trouble altogether, you can also go to the NCRA's website. They have a list of approved schools and stenography programs listed there, so you can simply choose a few programs in your area to look into.

Even if you can't afford to go to school full time to earn your steno degree, you can still take classes towards your degree. Many people want to take steno classes, but can't because they have to work during the day. But there are online universities that offer online courses in stenography, and you can take them at your leisure. You can take your time in earning your degree, and you can keep your day job as you pursue an education to equip you towards your new career. That way, you can continue to support yourself and your family, even as you earn your degree and pursue a new career path.

Getting your steno degree can be the start of a whole new life for you. Changing your career can also change your life, and doing work that you find interesting and fulfilling can go a long way towards making you more content and satisfied with the way that your life is going. You'll be able to earn a great salary doing a job that you love, and that's more than most American workers can say about their lives. Education can make a difference in your life.