Mentor Program for Students & New Reporters

DRA is committed to ensuring that the shorthand reporting profession remains a viable and integral part of the legal system. To this end, we have designed a Mentor Program that will meld the enthusiasm of new reporters and students with the maturity of the more seasoned reporter. New reporters and students going into the freelance field will be matched up with experienced reporters in the State of California in order to provide them with relevant guidance, support and encouragement during the beginning stages of their new careers.

Do you need some extra help, personal attention, or have questions regarding reporting? If so, then sign up for our mentoring program and receive guidance or help from a professional working court reporter. Working reporters understand what difficulties you face as students and new reporters. We are willing to volunteer our time to get to know you, praise you for your achievements and lend encouragement for those tough times when you take the CSR, attend your first deposition, or are making the switch from being an official to freelance reporter.

Mentoring is a trusting, supporting, positive, intense, confidential, low-risk relationship in which the partners can try new ways of working together and relating to one another, make mistakes along the way, gain feedback, accept challenges and learn from each other. A central quality of mentoring is that it is goal-oriented, nurturing, insightful and supportive. What the mentor offers is something not contained in textbooks; it is knowledge and guidance that is practical, and often inspirational and motivational.

Well-mentored individuals feel that they are being looked after, gain confidence in their abilities and respond accordingly. The result of an effective mentoring process is a self-confident and competent professional reporter.

In order for the program to be successful, we would request a commitment of four hours a month for a minimum of one year, which may include communication via e-mail, phone, fax videoconference, face-to-face meetings, and may include having the student or new reporter sit in with the mentor for some valuable apprentice hours or work experience.

If you are a current student at the 200-level speed and above or any reporter that wishes to be mentored, and you are interested in participating, please go to the DRA website (www.caldra.org), download the Mentee Application form, fill out the form and fax it to 925.905.2611 or email it to the Mentor Program coordinator at: jcain@meritreporting.com. Once we receive your application, we will endeavor to make the best match possible for both mentor and mentee. Thank you!