Exceptional language skills:

• English spelling/grammar (or whatever language you aim to work in) with extensive vocabulary
  
• Business experience (legal or accounting firm jobs even as a secretary can expose you to the necessary terminology)
  
• Love of Learning:
  • Enjoy reading non-fiction and current events
  • Enjoy watching documentaries on all subjects
    
• Technologically Inclined:
  • Work diligently to develop/maintain shorthand speed on the steno machine
  • In-depth understanding of shorthand software/legal software
  • Good word processing skills as an aid to understanding shorthand/legal software
  • Good online research skills
    
• People Skills
  • The ability to diplomatically fulfill client requests for service while managing your workload.
  • Punctuality
    
• Organizational Skills
  • Ability to manage and schedule your time and money
  • Ability to maintain good records, i.e., storage of steno notes/transcripts and financial records 

1. GET THE EQUIPMENT:

   1. Phoenix Machine Shorthand Theory books or Stenomaster Theory books
   2. Steno machine (Stenograph, Eclipse, Stenovations)
   3. Student CAT software (Stenograph, Eclipse, Stenovations)
   4. Computer (laptop or desktop - ask your writer/vendor for specs).
   5. Cassette player for speed tapes or a computer to play digital audio files.
   6. A mentor reporter to help get you started if not studying through a school course
      
      
2. LEARN STENO THEORY, CAT SOFTWARE, and ENGLISH/BUSINESS SKILLS
   1. Machine shorthand theory (how to write phonetic shorthand)
   2. CAT ("Computer-Aided Transcription") software - how to translate the electronic shorthand notes and build and update your electronic dictionary
   3. Computer skills (Windows OS)
   4. English skills (spelling, grammar, punctuation, specialized vocabularies - medical, legal, accounting terminology)
   5. Transcript formatting
   6. Business skills - charging for your services, financial recordkeeping, storing your steno notes/transcripts
      
      
3. Recommended time for learning:
   1. LEARNING THEORY
      Two hours per day for up to approximately three months
   2. BUILDING SPEED
      One year, depending on time devoted to practice
   3. OTHER SUBJECTS (English and vocabulary skills) at your own pace
   4. APPRENTICING
      At 180 wpm many agencies will let you sit in with working reporters as practice - a good way to get a job
   5. MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING SKILL LEVEL
      Forever! This aspect of reporting never ends. The more keenly aware you are of current events and general business climate the more knowledge you bring to your daily job of reporting; hence, the easier it is to take down different types of material efficiently, quickly, and accurately.