Collector to Appraiser

Transforming a hobby to a new profession.
By Susan Golashovsky, FASA

If you have a hobby you are passionate about – be it history, antiques, decorating, or the arts – you may have wondered how you might be able to spend more time with your hobby and less time at work. Or maybe you are one of those lucky people whose hobby is actually an adjunct to your job – but you have not taken steps to monetize the hobby into a part of your business so you can do both at the same time.

Many people, when choosing a career, do not consider their interests. Perhaps this is because they define a hobby as something outside of their regular occupation. However, take a moment to consider that this rule is easily broken, and a combination of skill and interest might be a compelling reason to pursue a different or expanded career path. You might find yourself with an option for taking the steps necessary to actually begin a new career!

I began my career in the decorative arts as a part time antiques dealer. And then I moved the business into full-time by going into an antiques co-op where I did not have to be present. I did my buying on weekends, evenings and during vacations. It was a passion – I did not mind the hours. And when I finally decided to segue careers, I looked to appraising. After several years as an appraiser, I left the commercial end of the antiques business and have turned my full concentration to the business of appraising antiques and decorative arts. I find it enormously satisfying, an eternal learning experience and a lot of fun. Being able to earn a good living doing something I am passionate about is a dream come true.

So I know from experience, it is possible to pivot careers and/or turn a hobby into a career. But you do have to get some formal training. I learned that just appraising objects without doing the groundwork in appraisal theory and methodology was not something I felt comfortable with, and began to seek out education.

Enter ASA. The Society is a world renowned and respected international organization devoted to the appraisal profession. As the oldest and only major appraisal organization representing all appraisal specialists, ASA is devoted to providing the highest standards in all areas of ethics, professionalism, education and designation criteria. This Society has allowed me to grow as an appraiser and given me many opportunities and outlets – from program development to speaking engagements, teaching assignments, appraisal assignments and peer contacts. The Society now offers an accelerated Appraisal Virtual Summer Camp for fast-tracking one’s education—perfect for those looking to make a career move, expand a current career by monetizing knowledge, or just get a feel for appraising to see if a career move is right for them. Another way to look at appraisal education is purely for the sake of knowledge and understanding of the profession. This can be most important if you are an attorney, fiduciary, or trust officer who wants or needs to better understand the world of appraising to ensure that the needs of their clients are being met.being met.

Upcoming Appraisal Studies Program virtual classes include:

• PP201 – Introduction to Personal Property Valuation – January 31-February 11, 2022
• PP202 – Development of a Personal Property Appraisal: Research and Analysis – March 14-25, 2022
• PP203 – Communication of a Personal Property Appraisal: Report Writing – April 25-May 6, 2022
• PP204 – Personal Property Valuation: The Legal and Commercial Environments – June 13-24, 2022

The 2022 ASA Summer Appraisal Camp takes place August 3-27, 2022. This special accelerated program enables you to complete your coursework in less than a month! Participants may also take courses individually (provided that prerequisites have been met). Upon completion of the program, participants will have taken the first step toward becoming appraisers or working as appraisal experts and qualifying for eventual accreditation with ASA. All required courses are taught by Accredited Senior Appraisers of the ASA.

Sometimes, all you need for success is the right connection, the right education and a choice of educational opportunities. For me, it was the education programs offered by ASA. Now may be the time to see if this is a perfect opportunity for you. Learn more about becoming a personal property appraiser by visiting ASA online or calling (800) 272-8258.

Learn more about Susan’s path to becoming a personal property appraiser and why she joined ASA. View a brief video testimony on ASA’s YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqPNwyWMgao&t=5s&ab_channel=AmericanSocietyofAppraisers

—Susan Golashovsky, FASA, is an independent Personal Property appraiser in Pennsylvania and holds Accredited Senior Appraiser designations from ASA in multiple specialties. Susan completed her appraisal studies through ASA at George Washington University, and earned a connoisseurship certificate from Winterthur Museum’s Winter Institute Program for the study of American Material culture. Susan entered the appraisal profession through a commercial background, having sold antiques and decorative arts for 20 years through shows as well as brick and mortar shops throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She has developed connoisseurship presentations in Antique Furniture, Silver, Residential Contents, Ceramics, and Objects of Art for the Personal Property Committee of ASA. Her appraisal practice specializes in antiques, decorative arts, and folk art with clients in the corporate, governmental, institutional, and private sectors. Susan, a long-time, active member of ASA, currently serves on the Society’s Board of Governors as a Personal Property Discipline Governor and is a Past International President of ASA. She was recognized by her peers for her contributions to ASA and the appraisal profession and was conferred the designation of Fellow (FASA), the highest honor ASA bestows.