Topic 1:

Healthcare & OD/Management Development

Question: I graduated from George Washington University in 1990 with an MA in HRD. I did not use my degree at that time, and for personal reasons did not explore career options in HRD. I'm now interested in moving into that field and need some help in getting started. I'm more interested in the OD/Management Development aspects of HRD. My employment background is primarily health care (pysch counselor, acupuncturist) and education (general management of university department). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

--Don Thompson, Pittsburgh

Answer: Welcome back to HRD! However, your degree is over ten years old and the field has undergone many changes with new practices, focuses, and tools. To establish your credibility, you will need to enroll in some professional development coursework - the specific typea or program will be dependent on the "fit" with your interests, schedule, timeframe, budget, and personal and work lifestyles. There should be sufficient education resources in Pittsburgh. If you are presently associated with a university, one of the benefits is free tuition; look into what HRD/OD programs it may offer. In today's explosion of online learning activities, you may want to consider this delivery possibility. To research your options, Link to Informational Resources for Education and Continued Professional Development Resources.

Start setting up your networking and developing relationships by joining the local ASTD Chapter and see if there is a local chapter of the OD Network. Given your health care background, consider looking into OD/Management possibilities within this industry. As a practitioner of alternative medicine, you will bring to OD an "out of the box" way of thinking - looking for the most creative rather than the standard solution. Your management skills are definitely transferable. When you are ready to develop a resume reflecting your transferable skills and expertise plus your recent professional learning activities, consider using the services of a resume reviewer or career consultant to help you "rebundle" your background and experience to create a new professional niche and image.

--AR