Kerry Murphy, RPR, a California- based freelancer, has been a member of the NCRA since she began her career in 2008. In this interview she shares her unique journey into stenography, the skills she values most, and how technology and community have shaped her professional path.
JCR | What inspired you to pursue a career in stenography, and how has being a member of the NCRA supported your professional growth?
KM | I was visiting my pregnant best friend who was living with her in-laws temporarily. Her mother-in-law came in the room to ask me what I had been up to, and when I told her I recently dropped out of college, she said, “You should become a court reporter!” I inquired, “What’s that?” And she said, “Hold on,” and abruptly left the room. She came back and handed me a check for $15,000 and said casually, “That’s a small one.” So after that we discussed finding a school, and I enrolled six months later.
I attended Sage College in Moreno Valley, Calif., where my teachers introduced me to NCRA. Being a member of NCRA has allowed me to connect with other professionals and grow and learn about our industry.
JCR | What do you think are the most important skills a stenographer should have, and how do you continue to sharpen those skills in your daily work?
KM | The most important skills we should possess are obviously being a great listener, being able to keep up with how quickly people are speaking by shortening our writing and using briefs and phrases, being organized, meticulous, detail-oriented, and punctual. I am using every job opportunity to continue to build my dictionary as well as using tools like Brief-It to make up briefs on the fly. I think every job requires you to brief on the fly, and using your software and technology is what will keep you competitive.
JCR | How has technology changed the landscape of court reporting, and what role do you see it playing in the future of the profession?
KM | Technology is our best friend. We’ve used it to leverage our capabilities time and time again. Our CAT software has helped us cut our editing time significantly. When I started school, I still had paper rolling out of the back of my machine. It was technology that upgraded from that. Our machines are changing and evolving just like our software. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have allowed us to connect quickly and help one another. Technology is here to stay. AI is the part of technology that I feel we will do our best to leverage, but it may get out of hand if we stand by and allow it to wipe out different industries. I won’t fear-monger, but from all the materials I have read, there are dangers, especially in our legal field. We have to be proactive and aware more than ever. Fear not, be mindful, and continue to educate yourselves.
JCR | How has social media helped you connect in this profession, and what benefits have you experienced from engaging with the community online?
KM | It’s like these questions are reading my mind. Social media has definitely connected many of us, whereas before, the freelancer world was pretty lonely. I remember walking in and out of my first agency, saying hello to office staff but never seeing any other reporters. I lost touch with classmates I went to reporting school with because we graduated at different times and because we were all so busy.
Social media allows us to reach out quickly to get answers we are seeking, and it’s an endless amount of information. Court reporters are the best people I know, and they are my community. This profession is unique, and it’s an honor to be a part of it. If you get a random friend request from me on Facebook or Instagram, it’s because I love you all and just want to connect!
JCR | Can you share a memorable experience from your time as an NCRA member that helped you advance in your career or make a lasting impact in the field?
KM | Yes, I can! I’ve attended many, many NCRA Conferences, but the NCRA Orlando Conference was the one that altered my life and connected me to so many colleagues, friends, and sisters that I have now. I have to give a huge shout-out to Shaunise Day, who I met there in the hotel lobby, for giving me her time and energy and making me feel included. She has been a huge advocate of NCRA, and while I was already a member then, she still inspires me weekly to be more involved in our community. She impresses upon all of us that “certs matter”; thanks to her, I leveled up and got my RPR, which I had been wanting since I graduated from school. Without being a member of NCRA, I would not have met Shaunise. Without having met Shaunise, I would not know ha
lf of the community I now know, love, and adore. Shout-out to them! I will continue to be more hands-on and, as always, aim to inspire others to join our community.
Kerry Murphy, RPR, is a freelance stenographer from the Southern California region. She can be reached at kmurphy.csr@gmail.com.
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