I Owe My Career To IABC
By Barbara Gibson, ABC, San Francisco/IABC
Over the last several years, in both public presentations to and private conversations with communication professionals and students, I've said "I owe my career to IABC." The interesting thing, I think, is that it continues to be true as my career has advanced from entry to senior level.
As I look back over my 12-year career, I can identify thousands of dollars in earnings that are a direct result of my IABC involvement.
As a new member in a new city, stuck in a job I hated, it was an IABC contact who gave me the lead for a PR job with the Greater Orlando Chamber of Commerce. A job which, I might add, was never advertised. Serving on IABC committees and on the chapter board allowed me to develop leadership management and budgeting skills that helped me land my next job as Promotion Director for a television station.
Earning my ABC accreditation and winning a Gold Quill award in the same year gave me the confidence and leverage I needed to negotiate a major raise and promotion.
Three years ago, when I launched my own business, I utilized many fellow IABC members as mentors to ask for advice, information and resources. I was able to tap into a world of information via the IABC Hyperspace Forum for help in developing client contracts, pricing structures and much more.
More times over the past three years than I can count, my ABC designation has helped me land new accounts. Speaking to IABC chapters throughout the southeast gave me the public speaking experience and polish that led to a sideline as a professional speaker, which has also has attracted numerous clients.
Now as I make another major change - moving my practice from Orlando to San Francisco-I plan to rely heavily on IABC to help me get established in my new city, make business contacts and friends.
I've learned more from IABC than I ever learned in college. And just as I've never questioned the value of my very expensive education, I've never questioned the value of my IABC membership. I frequently meet freelancers, job seekers and professionals whose employers don't pay their dues, who think they can't afford membership. My best advice is always: Find a way to afford it. Charge it to a credit card, borrow, pinch pennies. It's cheaper than an interview suit, and will give you a much greater return on the investment.
[Source: San Francisco/IABC chapter.]
