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Education
Interested in learning more about the field of professional organizing? Here are answers to some common questions about the education, qualifications and skills needed to become a professional organizer.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What kind of education and experience do professional organizers have?
A: Many professional organizers have a college degree and prior work experience in various fields. Look at past jobs you’ve held and determine what organizing skills you used in order to perform the required job duties. These are the same skills needed when organizing professionally.
Continuing education is provided through the annual conference, regional seminars and chapter programs. Some veteran professional organizers offer customized training programs.
Q: What are the qualifications necessary or requirements for becoming a Professional Organizer?
A: Organizing is still an unregulated industry, and therefore, there are no strictly defined requirements or qualifications.
Beginning Apr. 25, 2007, there will be a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) designation available. This certification will recognize those professional organizers who have met minimum standards and proven through an exam and client interaction that they possess the body of knowledge and experience required. For more information on this certification, see www.certifiedprofessionalorganizers.org.
There are skill sets that time and experience has shown you must have in order to be successful as a professional organizer. For example, running a business and communicating effectively with potentially complex clients require skills that do not always overlap with "putting things in order."
Becoming a Professional Organizer can be viewed as an important journey of personal and professional growth, and for the most part, experience will be your guide as you evolve professionally.
Q: How can I improve my organizing skills?
A: Join NAPO, attend the NAPO annual conference, and if there is a chapter in your area, join and attend their meetings and training sessions.
Read as many books as you can on any and all subjects pertaining to organizing and attend seminars and workshops offered by veteran organizers and/or national education companies.
Q: Many clients want an experienced organizer. How do I get hands-on experience before I have clients?
A: Offer to organize your friends and family. Try to line up a variety of different projects (e.g. office, garage, paper management, children’s rooms, closets, etc.) to see what you enjoy most and determine what your organizing niche might be. In exchange for your services, ask your friends and family to give you feedback about what they liked about the experience and what you might do differently. You might even want to ask them to write you a letter of recommendation.
Q: Can I work with a Professional Organizer as an intern, apprentice, or assistant?
A: NAPO-WI members may choose to be included on the “Members Willing to Work for Other Members” list. While this list informs NAPO-WI members that you are interested in working as an assistant; it does not guarantee that you will become an assistant.
Sources: NAPO, NAPO-WI, and NAPO-NY Members
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National Association of Professional Organizers - NAPO is The Organizing Authority
Telephone: (262)524-0889