Kimberly Nicholson, who lives on the Treasure Coast in sunny Florida, began her career as a Case CATalyst scopist in 2011.  Along the way, she discovered that she actually preferred transcription of digital audios more than scoping.

Let’s find out more about her!

Can you tell us a little about your background and work history?

For eight years, I worked as a Deputy Clerk for St. Lucie County, Florida.  I left that job to try new ventures but couldn’t find the right “fit.”  So I spent many months looking for work…this was during 2010, 2011 when finding employment was next to impossible.

Luckily, I had a friend who was a court reporter, and she thought I’d be great at scoping. As a result, I went to school, learned how to read steno and format a transcript.  Within a few months, I graduated and went to work for her. She gave my name out to a few folks, and I was on my way!

Right away, I found scoping to be a great way to make money working from home. The hours were shorter than transcribing; yet I found that the stress was much higher. Lots and lots of different rules and styles out there!

So did you seek help from some of the experts with your scoping work?

Yes. In the meantime, I met a few folks online, including our lovely Ms. Linda Wilson. These folks were eager to help me along in both scoping and transcribing, and they did, with assistance and constructive criticism.  However, sadly, some steno court reporters were just plain awful to me.

Scoping is a tough business! In a nutshell, I found scoping to be quite challenging for me. As I said, some thought I did a great job; others not so much.

Did you change your mind about scoping and try out transcription instead?

That’s right. Along the way I was asked to do some transcription work. I figured what the heck, right, since I had the training. Scoping, I didn’t feel, was going so well for me.

Within a very short period of time, I discovered transcribing to be much more relaxing, less stress, less to worry about. Why? This was done pretty much my way under the guidance and format of the reporter.

Needless to say, I am a very happy transcriptionist to this day. I have found the prefect fit for me with a couple of voice court reporters. In addition, I even do exclusive work for a DUI specialist attorney, transcribing his DMV hearings for his clients. And, yes, I still do a little scoping on the side.

So your specialty is legal transcription?

Yes. Legal and law enforcement. I enjoy transcribing both types. My favorite is depositions; they are short and sweet, usually. They are generally clear and easy to keep up with, which makes life a whole lot easier.  Although maybe not as much fun as a murder trial or some other type of felony trial; nevertheless, they can be interesting.

RELATED:  Law Enforcement Training.

Which type is your least favorite, Kimberly?

Least favorite: court trials. Usually hard to hear because of acoustics; the speakers don’t always stay at mics.  Also, there’s usually more than two attorneys involved; and they all like to talk over each other.  As a result, it’s hard to keep up with who is speaking.

Do you have a story to share with us, maybe some of your challenges?

I think a big challenge in this business is learning proper punctuation and trying to keep up with every reporter’s style. They are ALL different. Like snowflakes, no two are the same.  My biggest challenge, though, was finding the best relationships.  In my years of doing this, I’ve only found a few reporters that “fit like a glove.”

Some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way are: be particular. You don’t have to put up with sub-par recordings and/or mean or nasty reporters. I can’t tell you how long I thought it was all part of the job. It’s not — not for what you’re being paid.

You have to take the good with the bad for a short time or you won’t learn.

But don’t be afraid to get away from the bad. The work will come in time!

Do you believe that any training is necessary for transcription?

Absolutely. And not just for transcription…scoping too. No one should think they can just jump in blind and go from there. Even with a degree in English (which I do not have), there is a lot to learn to be successful in this business.  Also, don’t forget that there is so much competition out there.

RELATED:  Transcription Training.

If you had a word of advice for someone considering transcription, what would you tell them?

• Always keep reference books and reporter preference sheets handy for proper punctuation, spelling, and formatting; they are your lifesavers.
• You must have the time to commit yourself. I don’t recommend transcribing or scoping for stay-at-home moms with infants or toddlers at home on a full-time basis as this work takes your complete and focused concentration.
• Prices vary from state to state. Some pay extremely low…others pay very well. But it’s not all about the money; it’s about trust, understanding, honesty, and the relationships you create.
• Pay attention to the needs and desires of EACH of your reporters and keep a file for each one. Remember, no two are the same, and rules differ from state to state, county to county.
• Be clear about how much, how, and when you will be paid. Get it in writing if you can. Also, keep track of your earnings and don’t rely on the reporter to do it because sometimes they do not.

NEVER GIVE UP!

Patience is the key in this business. It’s like shopping for the perfect little black dress. I promise you, when you find the perfect fit and style, it will all be worth it!  And don’t put up with bullies!

Lastly, what do you foresee as the future for the transcription industry?

With Dragon and other voice-to-text programs out there, I’m not sure. However, technology is overtaking the entire world and putting some good, hardworking folks out of business. I’d like to think that the human touch will win out in this profession.

Want to contact Kimberly?

We really appreciate Kimberly’s time and responses for this interview!  She can be found on Facebook or LinkedIn if you’d like to hire her or maybe just have a friendly chat!