Topic 2:

Info about the training field and ISD for jewelry marketing

Question: I am a 20-year-old student and have been turned onto the idea of becoming a field trainer by the head of such a department at JC Penney. She suggested that I look into designing computer training materials specifically for jewelry marketing. How do I find out more about the field and what training would be required as consideration for an entry-level job?

--Kathryn R. Pollick, Arizona

Answer: As a young adult just starting out in training, you need to become more knowledgeable about what training is all about as a profession and its entry level options. It is not a good idea to limit your possibilities or focus on one small specialty at the beginning of your professional work life. For further information about what steps to take to increase your perspective about training and decide whether to make it your career, read a chapter from Career Moves, which describes current job opportunities in the T&D field.

Your submission did not provide any information regarding your college major. However, if you are a business major, you can also become more aware of training's activities, practices, roles, trends and issues by focusing on this field as a topic for a term project or paper whenever possible.

With the continuing growing emphasis on e-learning and self-directed learning, there will be many opportunities for training specialists with an expertise in instructional systems design (ISD) software. The demand for training materials for customer service, marketing, and sales is always quite high. It is possible that after you have gained some general ISD experience, you will be able to form your own professional niche providing software targeted towards the jewelry retail industry.

--AR