Greetings and Happy 2017!

It’s Groundhog day and I’m sure more than one of you was waiting to find out what Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction would be…if you haven’t heard – 6 more weeks of winter.  If winter is your season, enjoy… for the rest of us, we are counting down to spring!  

If you are like most of us, the New Year had you pondering and eventually making at least one New Year’s resolution.  If you are like me, you made more than one.  I hope they weren’t all personal!  What professional resolutions did you make?    If you didn’t make any professional resolutions, why not?   If you did, what steps do you need to take to make sure you fulfill them?  Why am I talking about resolutions here?   That’s simple.  If you are an administrative professional, professional development should be one of your resolutions and IAAP can help!  

IAAP offers professional development in many ways… at the local, regional and national levels…  Let’s explore….

Local and regional events -

• Local Area Networks (LAN’s) – these are your local touchpoint where you connect, learn and network with other admins in your community.
• Branches – these are your regional touchpoints and offer you the opportunity to meet and connect with admins in a larger area, but still in the same general geographic location.

National events -

• Technology Education Conference (TEC) – As admins, we often do double duty as the “tech expert” in the office.  It is our responsibility to not only learn and understand the new technology quickly but to use it effectively and train others to do the same.  This tec-centric conference is designed to offer you the technology skills strategies, and training you need to maintain your “tech expert” role in the office.  This two-and- a-half day conference is limited to 150 attendees.   check it out here
• Summit – IAAP’s premier and largest event.  Summit offers key tools, resources, and inspiration you need to succeed professionally and grow personally.  Attending Summit is a wonderful experience filled with education (tec, soft skills, management, etc.) that every successful admin needs in their professional toolbox.   In addition, this event offers many opportunities to network, gather socially with other admins to discuss current trends, issues, etc.   Check it out here
• Leadership Academy – This 16-week program is for the admin who is ready to take the next step in their career to become a strategic business partner!  The curriculum includes business partnerships, building your brand and leadership styles.  This program kicks off at Summit and is limited to 50 attendees.  check it out here
• Executive Assistant Symposium (formerly Master Program) - This two-day conference has been designed specifically for admins working in a C-Suite level (or equivalent) and/or those in a supervisory role.   This intense program is limited to 150 attendees and focuses on the skills and strategies needed to excel in your role.   Check it out here

Webinars, online training

Through learn@iaap, IAAP offers 24/7 access to many online training resources and webinars, on a variety of topics including:

• Free Resources
• Deep Dive Courses
• Live and On-demand Webinars
• 50-Minute Books/Assessments
• Self-paced learning/Assessments
• Group Options

Topics include Business Partnerships, Communication Skills, Leadership, Office Skills, Organization, Event and Project Management, and Technology.  

Check out learn@iaap here
 

Wow…did you realize you could get all of this education and professional development in one place?  IAAP is truly the premier association for today’s administrative professional.

If you are a member, I hope you are taking advantage of all IAAP has to offer.  If you are not a member, I encourage you to give IAAP another look!  

I hope this post helps you fulfill at least one of your resolutions this year!

Until next time….

Hello again… 

If you read my first post, you know that my focus is why IAAP membership is valuable.  As I create new posts, I hope to help you see how IAAP membership can help you create your “Career Toolbox” and help you fill it with everything that you need to be successful.  While there are many things you may want to have in your toolbox…for now, let’s talk about certifications…in general and specifically the IAAP Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certification.  

 Do you hold your CAP certification?  If so, please add a comment below telling us why your certification is important to you and your career.

Not certified…why not?  You might ask, why do I need to be certified?  It’s a valid question.   Maybe you have a degree.  Degrees are a great resource to have in your career toolbox, but so are industry certifications.  Why? Because certifications are usually linked to a specific industry or skill and are designed to help you improve and/or develop skills relevant to your chosen career path.  In some career paths, certifications are often just as or more important than a degree because they are evidence of knowledge/experience in specific skills desired in successful candidates. 

I know you are thinking - there are many different certifications available to admins, why is IAAP's the best?   Because it is relevant, recognized and validated.  What does that mean? Well, the CAP is a comprehensive assessment-based certification, which requires recertification every five years, ensuring a professional who is not only committed to his or her profession, but is also committed to life-long learning and staying up-to-date on technology and office trends.This certification is the only recognized certification that encompasses the duties, responsibilities and knowledge required of an administrative professional. Additionally,IAAP is in the process of applying for accreditation for CAP which will even further validate the designation as the only credible assessment of administrative knowledge and skills. 

Are you ready to take the next step in your journey?   Learn more about certification here.

Until next time...

Why IAAP?  Not sure if IAAP is for you?  Are you working in an administrative and/or support role?   Do you support the operations of your company?  If so, IAAP is the association for you. 
 

This blog is going to be devoted to IAAP membership…sharing all sorts of IAAP membership benefits… things you already know…things that are knew to you… and as many interesting things that make you go hmmm as I can find. I’m not greedy, please feel free to jump into the discussion!  

Every good blog starts with a story, right?  So here’s mine.  

I have been an IAAP member since 2002 and have benefitted greatly from all my membership has to offer.  So much so, that I want to share IAAP with you!   My fourteen years of membership have been full of education, leadership, professional development, networking, travel and making life-long friends.

I love IAAP and everything about it.  That’s not to say there haven’t been some frustrating, emotional and trying times.  Our recent restructure was not any easy pill to swallow for many and I understand their sadness for the “old IAAP.”  While I was happy with the old structure I love the new structure.  

We have the ability as an association to move forward together, to identify the needs of our members and react.   No longer are we “stuck” in our chapter, division or region – we are free!  Free to attend any event, anywhere!  Going on a trip?  A quick check on Eventbrite will let you know if there are any IAAP events nearby (we’ll talk more about that in a future blog).

In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on education, member benefits, LAN’s, Branches, LAN Events, on demand learning, webinars, certification, TEC17, Summit 17.

Please add your comments, share experiences, etc.  I’d love to hear from you! 

Until next time,

Juanita