Topic 12:

Changing Careers to T&D Later in Life

Question: I have a MS from Columbia University in social work. I have been counseling and teaching adults with disability for the last 7 years. I want to change fields to training and development, but don't know where to start. I am now 56. How realistic is this goal and how can I achieve it? Many thanks.

--Ann Roberts, Westchester, NY

Answer: First of all, it is never too late to start a second career. Today it is not that unusual for people to become lawyers or doctors after fifty. Many people enter the Training/HRD field after retiring from the military or education fields. In a number of ways they bring maturity, understanding of interrelationships, ability to communicate, and skill in handling problems that someone younger cannot bring to the job. To have the best chance to reach your goal and your ideal T&D position:

· Although teaching and training are close cousins, they are not completely alike. Training has different purposes, objectives and mindset. Additionally, even though they overlap in presentation skills, they do differ in methodology and tools. Start thinking and exploring learning options for establishing creditability and filling in skill and knowledge gaps. See this column, Topic: Transition from Banking to Corporate Training for my comments about pursing additional professional development.
· Brainstorm about creating your unique professional niche by utilizing your experience with the disabled, e.g. conducting training sessions for corporations on compliance with the ADA, working in a setting that trains people with handicaps employment and business skills. It is essential that your resume describes your professional education/social work background in T&D/HRD terminology.
· Join the ASTD Metro NYC Chapter to network, get feedback through informational interviews about your goals and the opportunities for combining your background with training, and to take advantage of its professional activities, including its job bank.
· Keep abreast with the field, become familiar with terminology, issues, trends, and latest tools and information by regularly reviewing the ASTD Website and T+D Magazine. If possible, attend this year's Annual International Conference in New Orleans, June 2 - 6, and meet members of the ASTD Disabilities Awareness Forum.

Additional resources for keeping up-to-date with what is happening in the field include the following Websites:

HR Today
Work Index
Training & Development Community Center

--AR