By Jodi Crowe
As my 30s are coming to an end and I’m approaching 40, I’m in a season of introspection. My career in court reporting and how I was introduced to it has been on my mind lately as I go into this next chapter in life.
I was a little girl – maybe second grade – and I was fitted with orthotics – think Forrest Gump – due to my in toeing. I was pigeon toed, y’all! Anyways, I was advised that as I got older that I would need to consider having a sedentary job. My mom knew about court reporting, and she kept that in the back of her mind for when I got older.
In fifth or sixth grade, I was a student at Prattville Elementary School. Parents were asked what professions they would like to come speak at career day, and my mom suggested a court reporter. A local official court reporter and her judge came and spoke to our class and did a demonstration. I was in awe!
As I entered high school, that age old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” was needing an answer. Court Reporting! I enrolled at Prince Institute in 2004. I started interning in 2007. I interned with Mary King, Vicki Clark, Mallory Rambo, and Sheree Cater, to name a few.
I remember interning with Angel Sharman (District 3 reporter) and Judge Sibley Reynolds. They both were so wonderful to me. They made me feel so welcomed and comfortable and were very encouraging.
Graduation
We were in Elmore County on one of my interning days and went to a local barbeque place in Wetumpka. I suddenly had a memory pop up in my head. Remember that judge and official court reporter that came to my fifth or sixth grade class? YEP! IT WAS THEM! I let them both know that I remembered them from way back then. Needless to say, I made them feel old! (Sorry, Angel! I’m getting it now!) Because of them, I knew I wanted to be an Alabama official.
I went off to Florida for a while, but I always knew I wanted to come back home to be an Alabama reporter because of my experiences with interning and the support and encouragement I received. It took me 15 years, but I am now an Alabama official for Judge Chris Richardson in Dothan. (By the way, I got a good Judge! I learned that interning! #iykyk)
I share my story in hopes to jog memories of your own journey and to inspire you to inspire future reporters. All the reporters I’ve interned with, I’ve never forgotten their advice and their willingness to help. Even to this day, they inspire me. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if it weren’t for the mentorship I have received throughout the years.
In my new role as District 3 Director, I’d like to get out in our communities and share what a wonderful profession we have. I encourage each and every one of you to get out in your children’s/grandchildren’s schools. If that’s not your thing – public speaking is not my thing either – let one of the board members know. We’ll make it work. Also let us know if you hear of any career days in your area. We’ve got two court reporting programs now in District 3. It’d be good for our state to get enrollment up there.
We have to think about our profession’s future. We have to attract students and ensure they have a profession that will be in demand and lucrative for years to come. Having working reporters out in the trenches willing to showcase their talents and help is invaluable.
I hope you’ll join us. Be that role model you may have needed. You never know, one day you could become part of someone else’s court reporting story. I sure hope I am!
