Anonymous writes: I am a college graduate (psych major) with experience as an administrative assistant in human resources and sales. I want to become a corporate trainer and organizational development specialist. I know there are graduate degrees offered in this field. What’s concerning me is that all the want ads I’ve read for training positions specify a four-year degree and 1-3 years experience in the field.
How do I pursue a job which only requires an undergrad degree but expects candidates to already have the appropriate experience?
Thank you for your help!
The Career Doctor responds: One of the purposes of graduate study, of course, is to prepare you for work in a specific area. Thus, one of your options is certainly to attend a graduate program to gain the necessary education and expertise in the field. And a graduate degree is especially helpful for a career changer that is making a move from a staff position to a professional position.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, “training specialists plan, organize, and direct a wide range of training activities. Trainers conduct orientation sessions and arrange on-the-job training for new employees. They help rank-and-file workers maintain and improve their job skills, and possibly prepare for jobs requiring greater skill.”
Another good source for you may be the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). According to its Website, “ASTD is the world’s premier professional association and leading resource on workplace learning and performance issues.” The ASTD site has a lot of great resource related to corporate training, including job and career resources and advice. The organization also offers a Human Performance Improvement Certificate Program, which may be an alternative to a graduate degree.
My best advice — before you make any further decisions — is to not let the job ads dictate your next move. Instead, start building a network in the training and OD field. Conduct some informational interviews with professional trainers; contact your alma mater and talk with a management professor who specializes in OD; join a ASTD or some other professional association; attend a conference.
Find more strategies and directions for making a career change in my article, The 10-Step Plan to Career Change.
Learn more about informational interviews by going to the Quintessential Careers Informational Interviewing Tutorial.
