Another SSC Court Reporting student gains certification

8/2/2012

Pictured: Tom Noonan, a Calumet City resident, looks forward to starting a career in court reporting after passing the grueling certification exam.


SOUTH HOLLAND, IL –The South Suburban College Court Reporting Program is proud to announce that Thomas Noonan passed the spring-2012 Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporter Examination (CSR) to become a licensed professional court reporter in the State of Illinois.

Mr. Noonan, a resident of Calumet City, was homeschooled prior to enrolling at SSC in 2008 and entering the Court Reporting Program in 2009. Given the wide-open job market in the Chicago area, he is currently contemplating several downtown opportunities.

"Passing the exam was a relief and I am now looking forward to beginning my career," said Noonan. "I plan on building on my skills to possibly become an official or a captioner in a few years."

The CSR is a demanding examination that includes five minutes of Testimony material at 225 words per minute (3.75 words per second), five minutes of General Dictation material at 200 words per minute, and a written knowledge exam. Out of 1,125 total words, candidates are allowed only 57 errors.

"Tom practiced almost daily for several years completing thousands of hours of speed-building to bring his speed up to this level," said LaTherese Cooke, Court Reporting Coordinator. "He is a true speed champion, and we are proud of him."

The Court Reporting/Verbatim Technology Program is a comprehensive career education program that can lead to an exciting, high paying career. Upon completion of all of the courses, students receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree and are well prepared to take the Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporter Examination–the professional certifying exam for the State of Illinois.

Reporters are in high demand and may work in areas such as judicial reporting, broadcast captioning, steno interpreting and web casting. In addition to the excellent earnings, court reporters have opportunities for travel, exposure to high-profile cases, and self-employment. Court reporting has always been a recession-proof profession that offers flexible work schedules, a wide-open job market, and excellent income potential.

All of SSC's Court Reporting classes are held at the University and College Center in Oak Forest. The UCC is located at 16333 South Kilbourn Avenue, Oak Forest, IL. For more information contact LaTherese Cooke at (708) 596-2000, ext. 3217, or email lcooke@ssc.edu .

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• Press Release