Before you jump into training:
When seeking a qualified training instructor or program be sure to check the references of former students. Here are some questions you might want answers to:
- Is the instructor a practicing VA?
- What is their background?
- How long have they been in business?
- Do they have prior experience in training?
Virtual Assistant Training Opportunities
Academy of Virtual Professionals
Enhance Learning… Embrace Technology! – Thinking Out of the Cube and Into the Tube. This training program utilizes our book and workbook, Virtual Assistant – The Series, and is the brainchild of Virtual Assistant – The Series co-author, Kelly Poelker.
Academy of Virtual Professionals is the premier learning center for virtual professionals to enhance or develop their small business management skills. Through an online environment with the support of an instructor and subject matter experts students can study a myriad of subjects pertaining to small business management and professional development. While classes are geared toward those working in a virtual environment some students may benefit in any workforce or for personal development.
Colleges and Universities currently using Virtual Assistant – The Series in their curriculum:
When I designed a college course of Virtual Assistant training almost 4 years ago, I looked at many books that were available at the time in consideration for selecting a text for my new course. I chose “Virtual Assistant – The Series” by Kelly Poelker & Diana Ennen for several important reasons. First of all, the contents covered topics often overlooked by other books, such as deciding if you are right for this sort of self-employment, creating a disaster plan to avoid interrupted services, and juggling the demands of home life and career under the same roof. Another import reason for selecting this text for my classes is that there is an accompanying workbook available where the student answers questions and records their thoughts and notes about the content of each chapter. This approach is very useful in validating what was learned in each chapter. Each chapter in the book contains a section called “In their own words” where leading virtual assistants make comments from their own experience. This is like having a team of professionals at your side offering suggestions as you proceed through the course! My final decision for choosing this book for my classes was based on Internet research which produced some glowing accolades about both authors of the book, proving to me that this book contained useful and relevant information derived from the personal successful experience of the authors. Since then, I have taught the Virtual Assistant course many times, both lecture and online, for two different college districts in the San Diego area, and have found that the layout of the chapters and the length of the book is ideal for a 16-18 week college semester. I just added my own lecture notes and provided some hands-on exercises based on the reading, and the students have been quite happy and successful, and many are now working as a virtual assistant after reading this book and completing the course. I will recommend this book without hesitation to any college or business school desiring to offer such a course, or to those of you who choose to purchase the book and learn the virtual assistant business on your own. –Tom Smerk, College Instructor
As an instructor of emerging virtual assistants, I have incorporated Diana Ennen and Kelly Poelker’s book, Virtual Assistant, The Series, and accompanying work book as required text for my students. The book guides students from the basic concept of the virtual assistant industry to creating a workable business plan, marketing plan, and web presence. The workbook encourages students to integrate material from the book into their personal goals and objectives. My belief is that Virtual Assistant, The Series has given my students the necessary foundation to become successful entrepreneurs. Randi Tucker Barr Your Professional Assistant Adjunct Instructor, Raymond Walters College http://www.randituckerbarr.com
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