Have you ever considered becoming a professional genealogist? About 2 1/2 years ago, I began seriously thinking about professional genealogy as a career. As I learned more about earning the Accredited Genealogist® credential through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen), I decided that becoming accredited would be a fantastic way for me to strengthen my research skills in a chosen region, gain confidence doing client work, and garner respect in the genealogy community.
I began my journey by working on the ICAPGen Readiness Requirements, which include 1,000 hours of research and education. Many of the research hours need to be in an accreditation region of your choice. I mapped out a schedule for myself and set a deadline for when I wanted to be ready to submit my Level One project, a project to prove generational linkage for four generations of a family that lived in your accreditation region. To help prepare for the Level One submission, I enrolled in the ICAPGen Level One Study Group, which was fantastic. I submitted my project a few months later.
I recently found out that I had passed Level One, the first milestone in my quest for accreditation. In the same email, I was invited to take the Level 2 and 3 tests just 10 days later. Although I was nervous, I felt ready to proceed because I have been preparing for the last year for these tests. I had participated in the ICAPGen Level Two and Three Study Group and was using the resources and tips that were taught in that study group to get ready. Those preparations really paid off and I was able to approach the tests with confidence. I won’t say they weren’t difficult – they are timed tests that really are designed to test your knowledge and skill – but I felt like I wasn’t surprised by the format or content and that I was able to bring reference materials with me that I had tailored specifically for my accreditation region and the format of the tests.
If you are thinking about becoming an Accredited Genealogist®Professional and you need to make a plan for your own preparation, there is a wonderful opportunity coming up that you won’t want to miss. ICAPGen commissioners Diana Elder, AG® and Lisa Stokes, AG® are coordinating a new course for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) to be held January 9-14, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. I have been mentored by and worked closely with both of these teachers over the last 2 1/2 years and I am certain the course will be exceptional. Both are gifted educators who love teaching and mentoring aspiring professionals. Along with her work in forensic genealogy, Lisa is the head of the ICAPGen Education committee and coordinator for the ICAPGen Study Groups. Diana is the co-creator of the Research Like a Pro books, eCourses, and study groups and the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She is the head of the Presentation Committee for ICAPGen. Both are popular presenters at genealogy conferences. I am certain that the information they will present in this course will be very valuable for anyone who is thinking about accreditation.
The SLIG course Becoming an Accredited Genealogist® Professional: The Why, What, and How, will cover the requirements for each level of ICAPGen testing and give attendees the knowledge needed to pass each level. Attendees will learn from hand-on activities and assignments, receive peer and mentor feedback on their work and learn from reviewing the work of their peers. Highlights include:
- In-person networking that will allow attendees to develop professional relationships and friendships to help them through the accreditation process.
- In-depth learning and extra time for question-and-answer sessions with instructors.
- A focus on skill-building will help attendees of all levels develop research and writing skills and improve accreditation readiness.
- In-class activities guided by the instructors will give participants the chance to practice and apply research and writing skills, discuss their projects with peers, and receive valuable feedback from peers and instructors.
- Pre-requisites and homework assignments will help students prepare for the course and reinforce the concepts taught.
- The highlight of the week will be the opportunity the take a four-hour practice test in person at the Family History Library. The tests will then be peer-reviewed.
- A personalized meeting with an Accredited Genealogist professional knowledgeable in their accreditation region will give participants a chance to ask region-specific questions.
- A printed syllabus for each participant to take home and continue their learning.
Having just gone through the testing process, I can’t think of a better way to prepare yourself than to enroll in this course. It could be the difference between going into the process feeling nervous and unsure, and being able to proceed with confidence and find success at every level. I understand there are only a few spots left. Secure yours by registering here today.
