September 23rd, 2009
by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, IECA
I’m blogging today from the back row of a pre-conference workshop in Baltimore, part of the NACAC Conference. No, I’m not ignoring the speaker, I’m one of the faculty for the all-day training. This sold-out workshop is on transitioning from work as a school-based college counselor or a college admission official to working as an educational consultant.
The attendees are a terrific group of professionals who are intent to absorb as much as possible. They quickly caught on to the four pillars of consulting: (1) knowledge (of students, of colleges, of the process); (2) counseling (advising students and managing families); (3) personal & ethics matters; and (4) small business skills. While most of those in the room know colleges, the process, or counseling skills, they had real questions about being an entrepreneur in an ethical and successful way. This is the focus of this afternoon’s sessions.
For MANY entering the field, they come with a passion for students and genuine belief in the importance of finding a good match between student and college.They fear that by charging families, or selling themselves and their services, it violates their commitment to serve students.
During the workshop we emphasize the simple truth that everyone who does college advising is paid: by tuition-paying parents at a private school, by school district salary or, in the case of educational consultants, directly by client families. Serving students well: through hard work, commitment to excellence and staying current while putting the needs of students first does not conflict with providing for oneself and one’s family.
It’s that balance that serves as a challenge to all consultants and an emphasis that drives IECA: how to be a GREAT counselor, a good businessperson, and ethical throughout.
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Tagged:college consulting, consulting, educational consulting, ethics, NACAC, school consulting
August 25th, 2009
by Sue DePra, Director of Education, IECA
If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that IECA is firmly committed to providing on-going professional development and training through our annual Spring and Fall Conferences, our annual Summer Training Institute for new consultants, and through the many resources and services that are available to IECA member consultants, to name just a few of our current initiatives!
This commitment to excellence in the profession is also evidenced in a one-day workshop we offer each September for those who may be several years from opening a practice: Transitioning to Independent College Consulting, to be held September 23, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Held one day prior to the annual NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) conference, IECA has created this workshop specifically for those who are currently employed in a school or college setting and are contemplating a move to independent college consulting in the coming year(s). (This workshop is not designed for those already working as educational consultants.) The curriculum covers a variety of topics: how to assess and build on your expertise; how to market yourself as an independent professional; how to set up a small home- or office-based business; how ethics, counseling services, and credibility issues change; and how to write a “Transition Plan” to guide you through the process. Sessions are led by some of our most experienced college consultants, each of whom has successfully made the transition from an institutional setting to private practice.
Now in its fifth year, the 2009 Transitioning workshop will be held in Baltimore on Wednesday, September 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. NACAC supports our efforts by offering this as one of their official pre-conference workshops, and partners with us by managing registration and the logistical aspects of the event. Registration is limited to approximately 65 participants.
To learn more about the workshop and link to the registration system, please visit the IECA Web site. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me directly: 703-591-4850 ext. 15 or Sue@IECAonline.com
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Tagged:IECA Conference, NACAC, Professional development, Summer Training Institute
Patricia, Congratulations on completing the UCLA certificate program...that's wonderful! While we don't offer a transcript of the Transitioning program, it ...
I am completing the UCLA college consulting program next month. I am in California and looking for a "Transitioning to ...