Patricia Florio spent an entire career as a court reporter writing other people’s statements.
But all along, the writer inside of her wanted to put her own words down on paper.
And at age 62, when many contemporaries were calculating Social Security payouts, Florio earned her bachelor’s degree through Rutgers Off Campus Programs to help launch her second career as a writer.
When she worked in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., Florio had to painstakingly assure that every word was recorded correctly, for legal purposes. “On the job, and through someone who proofed my work, I learned how to become a perfectionist,” said Florio. “And that is very much required when you're a court reporter.”
Florio also had experience as a freelance newspaper reporter, giving her the background to launch her writing career. But she felt she needed the confidence that a college degree would provide.
