The demand for voice writers as a solution to the ongoing nationwide shortage of court reporters, CART providers, and broadcast captioners is higher than ever before, and there is literally guaranteed job placement upon certification in these fields. Live court reporting, and voice writing specifically, is quickly becoming the gold standard because the accuracy rates are so high and the process is so efficient. The best voice writers can produce speeds of up to 350 words per minute, and voice writers have won international speed contests time after time.
1. Voice Writer Jobs Allows You to Work Remotely
During the pandemic, many people scrambled to find work that allowed them to stay at home, whether for personal health and safety or to care for their children. In response to the pandemic and to keep operations going, more law firms are turning to remote Zoom depositions which allows today’s voice writer to work remotely in various states from their home.
Obviously, the amount of time you’re able to work from home will depend on the specific career you pursue within voice writing. CART and broadcast captioning are done entirely at home with a high-speed Internet connection. More and more court reporters are also performing remote work which allows them flexibility in their schedule without traveling to a specific location.
What Is CART?
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is the realtime translation of what is being said into a visual text display, usually in an education setting. This allows the lecture or presentation to be read instead of heard by the student so they can participate. This service is meant to help the hearing impaired and Deaf population interact with content in a more accessible way. With whichever kind of position you choose to pursue within the voice writing field—court reporting, CART, or broadcast captioning—you have the ability to seek a high-paying position or offer your services as a freelancer to work around your unique schedule.
2. The Salary Is More Than Competitive
Currently, an average voice writing court reporting salary is about $48,000 to $64,000. That’s well above the national average, and you can make even more depending on your education, extra certifications, and experience level. Many realtime voice writers make over a six-figure income.
3. You Can Complete Training in Six to Twelve Months
Traditional stenography court reporting training involves intensive coursework and testing that takes three to four years to complete on average. However, realtime voice writers can often complete their education within six to twelve months.
To become a voice writer, you will be trained to use a stenomask. A stenomask is a specialized instrument that uses sound-dampening technology to silence your voice while it records your speech through a very sensitive microphone. The silencing technology means that you can repeat verbatim everything that is said without interrupting court or deposition proceedings. With realtime training and specialized software, the computer can translate what is dictated instantly.
4. Voice Writer Jobs Are In Demand
There is a high demand for all voice writing fields, i.e., court reporting, CART, and broadcast captioning. The pandemic has created even more jobs, and companies are having a hard time finding qualified applicants to fill these lucrative and high-paying positions. As media consumption and awareness of accessibility issues go up, so too does the demand for high-quality voice writers. And because the demand for voice writer jobs is increasing with no end in sight, now is the perfect time to start your training! Since it only takes six to twelve months to complete your training, you’ll be able to jump on the bandwagon and carve a successful niche out for yourself.
5. It’s Interesting Work
One of the most undersold advantages of voice writing is the job description itself. Whether you’re translating a TV show or reporting a court trial or deposition, every new voice writing job is a brand new experience. You get to watch the drama of the legal system play out in front of you, learn something new during a CART presentation, and meet new people and colleagues everywhere you go. If you’re looking for an intellectually stimulating job that not only pays well but keeps you on your toes, voice writing is the career for you.
If you’re interested in learning how to become a voice writer, contact the IR Court Reporting Institute at (501) 823-9179. We’re happy to answer all of your questions and walk you through the enrollment process step-by-step. Our mission is to help qualify you for a high-paying, long-term, in-demand career that allows you to live and work on your schedule.
