When I graduated from high school, I did what everyone I knew was doing, and headed off to the state university. I was only seventeen years old at the time. After only one year there,
I realized that a traditional higher education setting was not for me.
Over summer break, I met a reporter at a social event. After a long conversation with him about the profession of court reporting, I decided to give it a try. I attended a school and after two years graduated with my degree.
With my manual court reporting machine and electric typewriter in tow, I set off on my new career path. I loved the work; but I was young, and one day wanderlust set in. After a few years I took off to see the world, thinking I would one day return and settle down to court reporting again.
As often happens in life, time got away from me. I often thought of going back to my old career, but so many years had passed, and there was so much new technology involved, that I know I would need a refresher course. I checked into various schools over the years. None of them seemed to fit my needs. They often required large sums of money paid up front. I was only prepared to “test the waters,” not jump in the deep end head first.
Finally, one day in 2007 I decided to check the phone book to see if there was another school in town. There was: The Court Reporting Institute of Kansas City (CRIKC), school that has stood the test of time and has successfully graduated many court reporters.
From the moment I walked in the front door and met with Irene Narvaez, the school director, I knew that I had found what I was looking for. This school has a dedicated staff; day or night classes, and is flexible with the work and/or child care schedules of its students. Once you get done learning the theory (language) of the court reporting machine, the entire time in school is spent on building your speed. The more time you spend on your machine, the better and faster you will write. That is, I believe, one of the main reasons for the success the success of the students at the school.
CRIKC is also an incredible bargain by today’s standards. They really work hard to create a financial plan that works for each individual student. One you have made the decision to embark on your journey to becoming a working court reporter, this school will really help you attain your goals.
The staff here has a genuine interest in what happens to you. Unfortunately, I had some very big bumps along the road on my personal life while attending CRIKC. There were many days that I felt ready to give up, but Irene Narvaez always had the words to keep me going.
I started school in July 2008 and graduated in April 2010. I took and passed all three of my skills on the RPR exam on May 1, 2010. On July 17, 2010, I took and passed the written knowledge portion of the RPR exam. I am presently interning at various courthouses in the Kansas City metro area.
Once again, I will be heading off on my “new again” career as a court reporter. And, yes, some things are better the second time around.
Thank you, Irene, and the staff of CRIKC. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Gunna Dalberg
