April 2003

Question

I can't find information anywhere on how to become a diversity consultant. I am changing careers at 35, and have no idea where to start. There are courses offered here and there, but that still doesn't tell me where to start. Please help.

Answer

In your letter you give no indication of your level of diversity skills. To be a consultant in any field you need to be equipped with the appropriate skills, and due to the nature of the work this is especially true in diversity. While there are no formal barriers to becoming a diversity consultant (such as licensure) and anyone who wants to can "hang out a shingle," diversity is one area where a poorly prepared consultant can do significant harm to both an organization and the individuals in it.

A good diversity consultant must begin with a strong understanding of organizational behavior, inter-cultural communications, social psychology, some cultural anthropology, curriculum development, and must also have strong facilitation and coaching skills. And this before we even factor in the business side of consulting! As you have noted, there are no training schools. If you do not have these skills I would strongly caution you about going out on your own.

There are a number of options I recommend to you: consider volunteering in a community or professional organization that works in some area of diversity. Is there an ACLU in your area? Does your church do any work in the area of diversity and inclusion? Is your town/city doing anything in this area? This is good networking and volunteering will allow you to see the complexities of diversity work before you make a commitment to a career change. You can also identify the top consulting firms specializing in diversity and begin your new career there, learning the ropes from experts in the field. Another option would be to join the in-house diversity department in one of the many Fortune 500 companies that manage their diversity efforts internally (but beware of companies that confuse diversity with Equal Employment Opportunity). An emergent trend in diversity is the entrance of law firms providing diversity consulting to their clients, so you may also look there.

Finally, I would urge you to check out both the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), as well as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), both offer a wealth of resources about diversity.

Diversity consulting can be very difficult and emotionally taxing, but it is also extremely rewarding, so good luck to you in your efforts!

Guest Response by Renee Yuengling, Diversity Consultant. Reach her at 703/438-8366 or Whitmangroup@earthlink.net.

Question

Need standard contract rates for instructional design nationally and locally.

Answer

Have you heard of the Sherman Antitrust Act? It establishes guidance to prevent price fixing and it probably prevents us from being very specific in this column. In addition, the rates will vary depending upon the industry and location. Instructional design for education and non-profits, for example, will usually be on the low side and pharmaceuticals will be on the high side. And in general, organizations located in New York City and Los Angeles will pay more than organizations located in Cedar Rapids, IA or Green Bay, WI. Bottom line? My guess is that you will find instructional designers who will charge anywhere from $20 per hour to $200 per hour. It depends on expertise, experience, location, industry, and topic. It's all a matter of supply and demand.