I have always been a person that needs to be challenged, needs to learn, needs to grow! When the ILTA announced their creation of the two professional development tracks, the “Illinois Title Professional (ITP) and Illinois Escrow Professional (IEP) designations”, I was excited. Here was an opportunity to become a Certified Title Professional. Until then there had not been any formal certification or degree in our industry. I completed my designation courses and became an Illinois Title Professional. Then came the question, how will I complete my CE points to keep my designation? There are so many opportunities to choose from, while I still listen to the webinars ILTA provides for CE points, I wanted more. I chose to become involved with the Illinois Land Title Association by attending the Advocacy Day and the annual convention, which both enabled me to earn CE points toward the renewal of my ITP designation.

I’m going to be honest. As I sat in on my first committee meeting I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. I sat there looking around the room and found myself with a group of incredibly smart and talented individuals. Brilliant attorneys and owners of title companies, to say I was intimidated would be an understatement. Here I was, just a title examiner surrounded by some of smartest people in our industry. Then I realized, here is a huge opportunity to challenge myself once again!

Through my involvement with ILTA, I have grown so much on a personal and professional level. Instead of being intimidated, I learned from my peers, I have gained self-confidence by getting outside of my comfort zone. Building relationships with people that would ultimately teach me more that any book or class would ever be able to do. This is where my ITP designation has lead me…where will it lead you?

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I will learn” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Registration for ILTA Fall Designation courses is open now, www.illinoislandtitle.org/eventseducation/designation-courses/ . Title III & IV or Escrow III & IV are being offered. Don’t worry if you haven’t taken Title I & II or Escrow I & II, you can start with these courses. Classes will be held at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, IL on November 15th and 16th .