Topic 6:

Career change from management to T&D

Question 1: I am a college graduate with a BA in communications. I have for the last 12 years worked in healthcare in various administrative and management capacities. I am looking to transition into training and development but don't really know where to start. I am planning on taking seminars and train-the-trainer courses. I have also considered obtaining a Human Resources certificate from a local community college. I am very anxious to embark on this new career path but don't really know the best way to start.

--B.A., Florida

Answer: Your plans to prepare yourself for the T&D field are off to a good start by returning to the classroom for advanced professional learning. Also, devote some thinking to the subject matters or staff development needs you would address in your courses. Build on your skill and knowledge areas that are transferable: communications, interpersonal, teamwork, project management, management/supervision, etc. How you go about acquiring your professional educational/training depends on several factors:

1. The area/role/function you are most interested in pursuing. I assume you have done some preliminary research and aware that T&D positions today encompass a variety of options. If you need some basic information, review the ASTD publication, Career Moves. As you review the various options (either in a real-time classroom or web-based), consider:

• Will it provide you with the skills or knowledge you are seeking?
• Does it fit your schedule, timeframe, lifestyle, and budget?
• What are the qualifications for acceptance?

2. Remember that employers basically look for candidates who are highly qualified for the job and who will relate well with other staff members. How the expertise is acquired is not as important as having strong skills and competencies.
3. If you can, attend the ASTD Annual Conference in New Orleans, June 2-6 as this is a great opportunity to gather information and to become aware of the latest T&D/HRD trends and issues.

Question 2: I'm looking to change careers. I've been in middle management for about 7 years and would like to reduce my hours and go into a different career. I'm great at training. What are my options?

--Janetta Shivartsman, CA

Answer: Am not quite sure what you mean by "wanting to reduce your hours" by making a career change. Are you referring to working more that a 35-hour week schedule or do you want to work part-time? If you want to enter T&D to work a less hectic work schedule, no one can guarantee that you would never work more than a 7-hour day. Your best chances for this ideal situation would be with an employer that truly believes in work/family life balance. If you are looking to cut your workweek to 20-25 hours, it is possible to do training for a small or medium size company where a full-time specialist may not be needed. Either way, you would most likely find the type of position you are looking for with a non-profit or community service-oriented employer rather than with a technical-based organization.

Why do you think you are good at training? Your information did not indicate that you have been actually doing some training as part of your management responsibilities. Before transitioning into T&D, you need to think about what subject matter you would focus on in your training courses. Given that you are presently involved with customer care, addressing staffing needs in customer service would be a natural transfer of experience. Based on your skills and knowledge, consider such topics as management, supervision, communications, and interpersonal relationships. For an overview of the field's roles, functions, and competencies, review the ASTD publication Career Moves.
Mostly likely you will need to get up to speed on the technical & content side of T&D e.g., needs assessment, ISD, performance evaluation, training techniques and process, the learning organization, etc. If your present schedule and responsibilities leaves you with little time for your own professional development activities, consider online learning options. For Web-based education and training resources take a look at Career Change to T&D/OD.

When you are ready to conduct your job search for a training position, have a career management consultant help you develop your resume in a very focused format targeting your transferable skills and expertise and accomplishments that illustrate your problem-solving or bottom-line orientation.

--AR