March 10, 2019. Celebration! Success! UC Irvine IEC Certificate program complete. Practicum finished. Business cards printed. Marketing plan polished. College consulting world, here I come!

March 12, 2019. Newsflash: Varsity Blues scandal! Cheating. Corruption. Unethical behavior by parents, coaches, administrators, and individuals posing as “professionals” in our field. Disbelief. Disappointment.

Certainly not the smoothest start to my business, and not how I had envisioned rolling out my new college consulting practice. However, it was the first lesson I learned about the value of an IECA membership; they really support their members.

Within hours of the scandal announcement, there were emails from IECA’s National Office with talking points to use with customers, students, reporters, and even friends. There were national interviews with IECA executives, who affirmed the importance of our work and the value that IECs provide to tens of thousands of students annually. In the days and weeks following, members were provided with webinar links, e-blasts, and resources to assist us in managing our practices through the crisis. We were reminded of the Principles of Good Practice and the Standards of Excellence that are the cornerstones of IECA. We were encouraged to continue to be leaders in the profession, acknowledging that the poor behavior of a few does not compromise the integrity of many. This support was invaluable to me as a brand-new IEC and, after the crises had subsided, it gave me confidence, knowing I was part of a dependable, trustworthy organization advocating for its members.

I first joined IECA in early 2018 as a Student member, because one perk of membership was a discount on the remaining IEC courses in my UCI program. I didn’t know much about the organization at the time, but I read the Insights articles, studied the website, and started to get a sense of the depth and breadth of the group. I was surprised to learn that the organization dated back more than 40 years! I was also surprised to learn that, in addition to college counseling, there were niche specialty areas such as LD, grad school advising, and K-12 education. The more I learned, the more impressed I was, and the more motivated I became to get involved in this quality organization.

Later that year, I signed up for the Big 10+ College Tour. Four states, nine colleges, and over 1,000 miles on the bus with 53 people I didn’t know. What I had imagined would be a pretty quiet, academic trip to see some interesting colleges turned out to be a boisterous, energizing week getting to know seasoned professionals who were welcoming, insightful, and happy to share their knowledge and experience. By the end of the trip, I had learned a second lesson: that friendship, networking, and connection is another huge value that IECA membership offers. The “Independent” part of IEC can be lonely, but the “Association” part of IECA offers warmth and encouragement.

I attended my first conference the following year, and I’ll admit it was a little intimidating. Walking into the giant ballroom with hundreds of people all hugging (it was pre-COVID!), laughing, and getting caught up, it felt daunting that I would ever break into this group and get to know people. However, I met my first three friends sitting at the “New Members” table at the group dinner, and we still keep in contact to this day.

I have been encouraged by the support and generosity of my fellow IECA members. During the pandemic, when days were long and supplies were short, IECA colleagues in my region found ways to stay connected through Zoom meetings, phone calls, and even backyard get-togethers, six feet apart. Through the years, when I had questions, colleagues across the country were generous with their time and expertise. Initial growth of my practice came from referrals from local IECs whose own practices were full. Regional data sharing provided insights about admission trends that helped each of us with future list building. Lesson #3: IECA is built on an ideal of collaboration, not competition, and it makes each member of our organization stronger.

Five years later, it’s me who is hugging (okay, maybe fist pumping) and talking excitedly with my friends at conferences and events. I love connecting with my colleagues and sharing ideas and resources that benefit us all. I have joined the Outreach Committee in an effort to spread the word about the benefits of IECA membership and encourage others to join. At conferences, I’m excited to scout out people with purple lanyards, welcome them to the event, and help them mitigate the initial moments of awkwardness. It’s a great feeling to be on the giving end.

This summer, I am excited to finally participate in the IECA Summer Training Institute. I am looking forward to what will undoubtedly be another great lesson about the value of IECA membership.

—Sue Freeman, IECA Associate (CA)