Stenographer is a professional who is able to translate English or any other regional language into a coded language known as Shorthand and then reconvert it into the original language that too as fast as 200 words per minutes. This is the only profession which is least affected with the advent of technology. Because this is such a profession where a person has to do his basic work i.e. translation by itself. Stenographer is required at every that place where spoken words have to be documented as such.
Thus there is high demand of Stenographers in almost all the fields, may it court, press meets, government offices, as a secretary or assistants to the CEO’s in a corporate house, personal secretaries to the high profile peoples like doctors, politician etc. Thus the work done by the Stenographer is of utmost importance for the immediate or future use. Like every other so-called cherished profession, this is also providing a lot of opportunities to show their talent and earn respect and money to the younger generation.
To become a Stenographer one has to be really dedicated and hardworking. The job of a Stenographer demands intensive knowledge of the Shorthand along with good command on English and some other regional language in which one want to work in. There is wide scope for a person who is able to translate two-three regional languages along with English in shorthand and another way around.
To discharge his duties efficiently and effectively he requires special training of nearly half year to One year years and comprehensive knowledge in more than one area of the trade. So to be a Stenographer one has to follow the below-given path.
Eligibility to be a Stenographer
1. Educational Qualification
(a) Pass in Senior Secondary Examination (10+2) or equivalent recognized examination. There is no restriction with regard to the marks secured in Senior Secondary Examination or subjects studied. However to get a job is some government offices as stenographer at least 60% are compulsory at this level.
or
(b) Graduates who have secured less than specified marks in 10+2.
2. Age
There is no restriction with regard to the age of the candidate to be a Stenographer. However to get a job in the Government sector as a Stenographer specific age limits are given for the candidates along with the other information at the time of recruitment. Normally this age limit lies in between 18 yrs to 27 yrs. (In some cases upper limits may exceed to 30 yrs)
How to become a Stenographer?
To be a Stenographer one has to follow the below-given steps:
Step 1
A prospective candidate who has done 10 or 10+2 in any stream and has good command on English or any other recognized regional language can join some private training centre to learn Shorthand. It takes on an average of 6 months to 1 year to an average student to learn shorthand and able to take dictation at least at the speed of 80 to 120 words per minutes.
Candidate can also join some ITI (Industrial Training Institution) to do a certificate or diploma course in Shorthand and Typing. It takes 1yr to 1 and ½ yr to complete this course. In which basic knowledge of both typing and shorthand is provided to the candidate and a diploma is awarded to the successful candidates.
Eligibility to take admission in ITI Course.
Education Qualification:
Desirous candidates have to be Matric pass
Age:
Above 17 years of age
How to get Admission in ITI’s
One has to appear in the entrance test taken by these institutions and admission is given on the basis of merit list. However, in some private ITI admission is given on the basis of marks obtained in the tenth class.
Step 2
After doing this course of shorthand and typing one can apply for the job of stenographer in private sectors or can join some advocates, or other high profile personalities as a freelancer.
Another option is to apply against the post of stenographer and typist advertised by the governments' departments. These vacancies are filled by the agencies like SSC, UPSC, State service selection Boards, Banking Service Recruitment board after taking the written tests and skill test followed by interviews. Selected candidates are absorbed in the Government departments as Stenographers.
Stenographer Job Description
A stenographer, or court reporter, works in the courtroom and transcribes spoken words by typing them into a steno machine, a kind of shorthand typewriter. Fast and accurate typing skills are vital for a stenographer job. They can code the spoken words with the speed of the speaker and then they can be decoded to make them documentary proves where ever required in the near future.
Stenographer Career Prospects
Stenographer can find good opportunities in secretarial departments of various Government as well as Private offices. Handwork and dedication can lead them to higher posts like Personal Assistant and Private Secretary which are considered as Gazetted posts.
Stenographer Salary
To start with one can get somewhere near Rs.10,00 to Rs.15,000 depending upon the accuracy and speed of the individual candidates. In the Government department, one newly appointed can get nearly 8000 per month with other facilities. In government, sector stenographer has good potential and scope to reach at the higher post after acquiring some experience and clearing some internal exams.
