MENTORING

      CBCRA is committed to increasing enrollment and retention rates of court reporting students. To increase retention rates, CBCRA has implemented a mentoring program in cooperation with official court reporters, captioners, freelance reporters and freelance firm owners. The mentoring program is designed to provide court reporting students with encouragement and practical advice on everything from speedbuilding to how to overcome test-taking anxieties.

     The CBCRA mentoring program matches student reporters with freelance reporters, official reporters and captioners. Every effort is made to match students with the type of reporter they have chosen, but CBCRA cannot guarantee that you will be matched with the type of mentor in which you have expressed an interest. The level of involvement is totally up to you and your mentor. It may be as simple as an occasional e-mail conversation, or you could actually spend time on the job with your mentor to observe what a court reporter's day actually entails.

     Participation in the CBCRA Mentoring Program is limited by the number of mentors who generously volunteer to give up their valuable time to provide advice and encouragement to novice reporters. There is no cost to you to participate.

SUGGESTED TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:

Brief forms Technology Breaking plateaus Types of reporting

Relaxation techniques Time management Certification Speedbuilding

Overcoming test-taking anxieties Developing test-taking skills Membership in professional organizations Choosing a CAT system

GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS:

• Once you are matched with your mentor, please contact her/him immediately and maintain that contact on a regular basis. The student/mentor relationship will only work if you actively seek your mentor's guidance when you need it.
• Please respect your mentor's work schedule. Remember that your mentor is engaged in a challenging profession which at times requires her or his complete attention to the job. Give your mentor a day or two to return your inquiries.
• Ask specific questions of your mentor. If you are having difficulty with a particular word, phrase, fingering, speed, etc., ask your mentor specifically how you can overcome the problem.
• Follow your mentor's lead as to what kind of relationship you will develop. If your mentor does not want to meet in person, do not take it personally. He or she may be very busy or may prefer to maintain phone and/or e-mail contact only.
• If it suits both you and your mentor, meet in person. Spend time on the job writing (if appropriate) and observing what the rest of a court reporter's day entails. Remember to dress appropriately and have your machine in good working order and full of paper.
• If a good rapport develops between you and your mentor, a working relationship may follow. Use this time to evaluate what type of court reporting career suits you best.