Topic 6:

Career Change from Accounting/Finance to Training

Question: Help! I was an elementary education major. BA in Education, yet I worked in R&D for over 15 years in Accounting and Finance. Didn't really like that area, but rather "fell" into it and had an aptitude for it. I've been thinking about making a career change - looking into teaching but not sure I want to be back in a classroom with lots of little kids! As a parent, I know what I'm talking about!
Can you think of any professional position that would allow me to use my professional experience in conjunction with my educational background?

--KC, New Jersey, USA

Answer: It is not unusual for someone with an education background to make a transition to training and with your experience in accounting and finance, you should do well in a training & development department. This should be particularly so in organizations in banking, accounting, and investment since you are familiar with the work content, language, and culture of these fields. However, if you decide to pursue this career change, there are a number of things you need to do to compete successfully in the T&D job market:

1. Become knowledgeable about the roles, competencies, language and practices of T&D by visiting ASTD's Career Resources site.
2. Become aware of the issues, concerns, latest developments in the field by reading T+D Magazine, and visiting the ASTD learning communities regularly. In addition, popular business magazines will update you on the current status of the work world and the impact on T&D.
3. You will need to seek further education/training - consider a formal degree or certificate program to bring you up to speed on the technical side of training: adult learning, performance assessment, E-learning/distance learning, workplace learning, instructional design, etc.
4. If serious about T&D, join the local ASTD Chapter for networking and professional development activities. The chapter may have career services and/or a job referral service for its members.
5. Develop a resume highlighting your transferable/functional skills applicable to training e.g., verbal and written communication, teamwork, project management, interpersonal, problem-solving as well as your expertise in accounting and finance.

--AR