Karen Adrian

Dear prospective student,

The point you are at in your life right now, I, and others before me, have been there as well. I wondered: "Is private service training necessary to obtain a job?

How would I ever be able to take the time off of work, or would I have to quit my job to attend training? If I quit my job, how would I pay for my current bills? Which training institute would be best for me and how do I even know if the institute is really that good? How long before I really obtain the job of my dreams?" All these questions and more ran through my head. Do any of these questions sound familiar to you?

Most likely if you are considering private service training you have thought about these topics. There is one question I didn’t have to ask myself repeatedly and that was, "Do I really want to venture into private service?" I knew without a shadow of a doubt this is where I am meant to be. All I had to do was make a few life-altering decisions - obtain training or not, and if so, where?

If you know that private service is for you, congratulations on making it this far. Knowing you are right for this career path, not just believing or wanting to see if it will work out, is a major key player in your success in private service.

For many years I knew it was right for me, yet did nothing about it. During the past four years, I knew I had to follow what I truly enjoyed doing. So, during that time I gained private home experience, talked with others who work full-time in private service, researched the training institutes very thoroughly, and fantasized about my ideal job.

Before you decide to attend any training institute, research all of the establishments you are interested in and make a decision you are comfortable with, one that will reflect who you choose to be once your training is complete. Many factors come into play, i.e., course content, price, location, length of course, the reputation of the training institute, and knowledge of the instructors. For me, The International Butler Academy stood out above the rest and came highly recommended by those I talked with.

The training program at TIBA is intense, exhausting, demanding, thorough, and encourages you to reach new levels within yourself and as a group. There is homework and I recommend you bring your own laptop computer. I didn’t have a laptop, so I leased one and it was well worth it. Without it, I don’t know how I would have completed my homework. The training at TIBA utilizes different modalities, not just a classroom setting.  We worked on team building through physical activities, leadership by being head or under butler for the week, cooking skills by assisting the chef, and practical experience by taking field trips.

All the costs to attend TIBA are upfront and this helps immensely so you are able to concentrate on your studies and not worry about money, exchange rates, and when the banks are open. Any additional charges are your personal expenses.

While I could have attended any training school, I knew that having an international perspective would allow me to gain valuable insight and additionally prepare me for my career. In the training program, I was part of, there were students from all over the world: Australian, Dutch, English, Russian, Swiss, and Americans. It was not always easy and translation difficulties created some interesting situations, but the important outcome is that we worked together as a group and helped one another with our growth areas. We all have strong points and don’t like to be challenged in our weak spots. However, TIBA challenges you to acknowledge and improve your growth areas, not just individually, but also as a group, because when you work in private service, you need to work together to get jobs done, whether it is filling in for others or learning a new task that you have not yet mastered. Being part of a household and working for and with others is what TIBA does a wonderful job of training their students to do.

During the weeks at TIBA, I was the most sleep-deprived I have ever been because I would be up late doing homework and up early to start the next day for class. In hindsight, I can honestly say I would do it all over again because it enhanced service qualities in me that are inherent and vital for my career path. Confidence in my new skills and refined abilities increased dramatically and I graduated knowing I had made the right choice. Another added benefit is having an international network of others in private service that can prove to be invaluable at times.

Never underestimate the power of knowing another culture or having contacts in other countries.

Wherever you are in your decision process, know that choosing TIBA will be a benefit to your career. The training program may seem eternal at times, but these weeks are a vital step in your training that assists you in creating a career that you know is right for you. It’s intimidating at first, but well worth the time, money, and effort. Best of luck to you.

Sincerely, Karen Adrian - the USA
Graduate of The International Butler Academy - July 2004

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