ASCA Academy?

[ATH]

Thoughts? Is it worth it? I am BCMA and TRAQ if that adds or takes away of your thoughts about its worth.

I do some consulting/appraisal stuff. Haven't ended up in court yet, (there are probably at least 2 cases headed that way). The others seem to have just been accepted as written.

I don't love writing reports...I left a "decent" job in public employment because it required too much report writing and I don't want to get back to doing a lot of office time.

I have seen exactly 1 ASCA Consulting Arborist written report (by opposing expert witness for an appraisal I did). It was, frankly, trash. Had WAY more information than I provided in my 3 page summary report...but that was just more rope that I could use to hang it out to dry. I don't think I blame that entirely on ASCA. For example, he claimed to be using the 10th Edition of the Guide and clearly doesn't know the material (or, perhaps, grossly mis-represented the material). I was left wondering did ASCA teach to add the 68 pages (yes, seriously...for 2 trees) of fluff, but not how to provide actual useful information? If that is what they expect, I'm not interested. But if they do teach participants how to provide better and more defensible information, I'm interested. It is close to home and I could stay with relatives, so timing/location is attractive.

 

[FJR]

I am in the same boat. With the Academy being in Indy this time I am considering it as well. I am looking forward to what others have to say about this topic.

 

[jtarb]

I attended the academy on my own $ in 2014, and I'm currently a consulting arborist (and TRAQ). I am a natural writer but still don't enjoy the tedium of the majority of my work, which is construction-related arborist reports.

If you plan on doing any writing or consulting, yes, it's a great resource. The instructors nitpick your report, but it might be nice to have someone actually provide that level of detailed critique (the one and only time I've had that). The Academy is moreso an introduction to the entire sphere of consulting, plus ethics, etc. My biggest takeaway was that I never wanted to do legal work, and even that tiny lesson saved me grief. I shared the references from the Academy with a new consultant I'm training, so there's been some use to the resources.

There are plenty of people who go through the Academy and follow their outlines religiously, when it's clear their writing isn't actually good. My instructors were clear that they don't actually follow the format all the time - but it's a useful framework for really long reports.

Personally I have no interest in obtaining the RCA (the next step after the Academy) or paying for ASCA membership. In my years of consulting I've only run into 1-2 instances where I needed the RCA or BCMA credential, so I stepped away from those jobs. A peer who is a new solo consultant has gotten work through ASCA's directory and considers the membership worthwhile.

Summary - IMO worth paying for out of pocket if you anticipate consulting being a decent part of your career. It was invaluable to have that background in the very beginning of my consulting career. But it will not teach you to be a good writer, to do appraisals, etc. Let me know if you want me to snap some pics of my notebook & materials.

 

[Basswood]

Following this. I’m supposed to attend for a new position. although as of right now they want to wait until next year, I might push for this year. Just recently got TRAQ certified.

 

[Lignotuber]

I attended the academy on my own $ in 2014, and I'm currently a consulting arborist (and TRAQ). I am a natural writer but still don't enjoy the tedium of the majority of my work, which is construction-related arborist reports.

If you plan on doing any writing or consulting, yes, it's a great resource. The instructors nitpick your report, but it might be nice to have someone actually provide that level of detailed critique (the one and only time I've had that). The Academy is moreso an introduction to the entire sphere of consulting, plus ethics, etc. My biggest takeaway was that I never wanted to do legal work, and even that tiny lesson saved me grief. I shared the references from the Academy with a new consultant I'm training, so there's been some use to the resources.

There are plenty of people who go through the Academy and follow their outlines religiously, when it's clear their writing isn't actually good. My instructors were clear that they don't actually follow the format all the time - but it's a useful framework for really long reports.

Personally I have no interest in obtaining the RCA (the next step after the Academy) or paying for ASCA membership. In my years of consulting I've only run into 1-2 instances where I needed the RCA or BCMA credential, so I stepped away from those jobs. A peer who is a new solo consultant has gotten work through ASCA's directory and considers the membership worthwhile.

Summary - IMO worth paying for out of pocket if you anticipate consulting being a decent part of your career. It was invaluable to have that background in the very beginning of my consulting career. But it will not teach you to be a good writer, to do appraisals, etc. Let me know if you want me to snap some pics of my notebook & materials.

I'm in the same boat, are you able to get RCA without doing the ASCA academy? I feel you get more recognition and some work through the directory which may be worth it. I just want the cool stamp lol

 

[jtarb]

I'm in the same boat, are you able to get RCA without doing the ASCA academy? I feel you get more recognition and some work through the directory which may be worth it. I just want the cool stamp lol

No, the RCA requires the academy. https://www.asca-consultants.org/page/EligibilityFeesRCAs

Also, if you let your ASCA membership lapse ($500/year) I believe you lose the RCA. You should double check this detail.. I don't know if you can "reactivate" the same number...it turned me off so I didn't look into it any further.

That said, a single small-medium project could cover that membership, and you could still be in the membership directory without getting the RCA, which is what my friend does, but it doesn't come with the stamp!

 

[jtarb]

Following this. I’m supposed to attend for a new position. although as of right now they want to wait until next year, I might push for this year. Just recently got TRAQ certified.

The academy usually switches coasts, e.g. next year it should be closer to the west coast. Might help you push for that for the upcoming event rather than the one after, if it's cheaper or more convenient for your company.

 

[Basswood]

The academy usually switches coasts, e.g. next year it should be closer to the west coast. Might help you push for that for the upcoming event rather than the one after, if it's cheaper or more convenient for your company.

Good to know, especially that I’m expecting that it’s a “money thing” for the reasoning to postpone until next year.

 

[Lignotuber]

No, the RCA requires the academy. https://www.asca-consultants.org/page/EligibilityFeesRCAs

Also, if you let your ASCA membership lapse ($500/year) I believe you lose the RCA. You should double check this detail.. I don't know if you can "reactivate" the same number...it turned me off so I didn't look into it any further.

That said, a single small-medium project could cover that membership, and you could still be in the membership directory without getting the RCA, which is what my friend does, but it doesn't come with the stamp!

Awesome, thanks for taking the time to detail a response

 

[jtarb]

I scanned these for a colleague who is going to the upcoming Academy. (note - had added my preacademy report, but turns out it's the exact scenario for the upcoming academy. I've taken it down)

The PDF is just a sample of the notes I took during the sessions. I picked the pages of notes that were the fullest, so that's not a representation of the rest of my notebook.

 

[jtarb]

Did ya'll end up going to the Academy? If so...how was it?

 

[ATH]

I did not