According to a 2013 Society of Human Resources Management article, telecommuting rose 73 percent between 2005 and 2012. It's now estimated that 64 million U.S. employees - almost 50 percent of the workforce - have jobs compatible with telecommuting.

Meet Praveeni Perera - Graduation Date: October 2013  Why did you initially come to PSOW? I wanted to upgrade my skills and knowledge in the area of international protocol.

Meet Patricia Butera - Graduation Date: April 2014 Why did you initially come to PSOW? I came to PSOW to attain my certification as an etiquette and international protocol consultant. I spent approximately 18 months researching the best schools around the globe that offer this type of program. The curriculum offered by PSOW is quite unique - Not to mention the trainers! I was truly inspired by the experience.

Meet Sheryl Miller - Graduation Date: March 2012 Why did you initially come to PSOW?  Attending the Protocol School of Washington was on my ‘to do list’ from the early 1990s as I observed a gradual decline of civility occurring in the work environment. I recognized social skills as the cornerstone of success and it became a lifelong dream to establish my own company, to bring this specialist training to individuals and businesses. Based on research conducted, I discovered that The Protocol School of Washington was the global leader in the industry and offered the high level of training and certification that I needed to realize my dream. Today, I am very glad that I made that choice.

Meet Zhenya Pankratieva - Graduation Date: April 2014 Why did you initially come to PSOW? To help international companies to work on different markets and appreciate the different cultures

Meet Jan Goss-Gibson - Graduation Date: April 2007 Why did you initially come to PSOW? I wanted the highest training available in our country to launch me into a new career. My father was a Colonel in the Army. I was raised with many protocols. I was born in Germany, my brother in Japan. We moved 21 times in my first 18 years of life. PSOW was the perfect fit for me because I wanted the best and was unwilling to settle for anything less. I knew I was a gifted speaker and I knew my “voice” was somewhere within the realm of the training from PSOW. PSOW gave me the tools to create my dream career.

Janet Adetu - Graduation Date: 27 March 2012 Why did you initially come to PSOW? After a couple of trainings from other institutions my drive and passion for excellence led me in search of a more reputable and credible training. The PSOW was well established with global recognition.

Meet Lydia Wan - Graduation Date: April 2013 Why did you initially come to PSOW? Professional trainers, and with Internationally recognized brand name.

Meet Jeannie Vaage - Graduation Date: October 2013 Why did you initially come to PSOW? I was aware of its outstanding international reputation as a school for etiquette training.

Meet Richard Wells - Graduation Date: June 2001 Why did you initially come to PSOW? Knowledge of reputation of PSOW, and the fact that I wanted to develop a course for university students that would incorporate what I learned at PSOW. Subsequently, I did create that course and taught it for several years.

Meet Julie Blais Comeau - Graduation Date November 2011 Why did you initially come to PSOW? -To validate my knowledge  -To get the credentials  -To grow my international network

Meet Dallas Teague Snider - Graduation Date: August 2007 Why did you initially come to PSOW? I originally wanted to work for the State Department following an experience in college with Education for Democracy. I wanted the same training received from those that worked in this arena.

Whether you have been a protocol professional for one day or over twenty years, there are some key essentials that, if applied, will keep you on the right track to success in your profession! PSOW's President, Pamela Eyring, has listed her top ten below:

What is your proudest moment as a protocol officer? My proudest moment as a protocol officer. In 2010, I was in charge of a retirement ceremony for an Admiral from the U.S. Navy. I worked for the Admiral for 8 years. During that time, I was entrusted with coordinating his schedule and daily activities. I was his gatekeeper who guarded the admiral from unscheduled interruptions and I traveled with him and advised him on etiquette and protocol issues when dealing with foreign militaries. I kept him out of trouble and advised him of potential mishaps.

Fitzgerald Heslop, Director of Professional Household Management Program & Social Decorum Academy at Peak Technical Institute, LLC, and Lead Instructor for Front Range Training & Consulting, LLC (FRTC) What is your proudest moment as a protocol officer?

Why do you love protocol? Protocol lends structure to events, thus providing guidance and easing the way for others – whether at formal or informal occasions.

What is your proudest moment as a protocol officer? For the past 20 years in the military, I have done many Protocol-related duties all across the world. My proudest moments are making the impossible become possible with outstanding teamwork. There’s nothing like successes when things go smoothly, despite the “chaos” behind the scene.

What is your proudest moment as a protocol officer? Planning and overseeing an event that included both former President Bill Clinton and former President George W. Bush on the same stage for a 1 hour discussion.

What is your proudest moment as a protocol officer? My proudest moment so far was wrapping up the 2012 Chiefs of Defense (CHOD) Conference in Sydney, Australia. It was a huge conference with over 30 VIPs, their spouses, and their staffs in attendance. We executed the conference flawlessly, thanks to the outstanding working relationship we had with the Australian CHOD team, and of course, an excellent protocol team! Both ADM Locklear (Commander, U.S. Pacific Command) and GEN Hurley (Chief of Australia’s Defense Forces) were very pleased, and I was very proud to know that I contributed so much to that effort!

What is your proudest moment as a protocol officer? While serving as the Protocol Manager, assigned to First Air Force (Air Forces Northern), Tyndall AFB, Florida in Oct 2012, I was tasked to escort the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Mark A. Welsh, III while at Tyndall AFB. The significance of this task was that I had been assigned under “Colonel” Welsh at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 15 years prior to this meeting, when I was just starting my Air Force career. Being able to reengage with General Welsh in the capacity of lead protocol officer has definitely been the highlight of my career thus far.