Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2024 - 11

L&D CAREERS
AMY DUVERNET,
PH.D., CPTM
L&D CAREER PATHWAYS
Whether they're driven by a passion
for learning and growth or a desire to
make a lasting impact on companies
or
employees, many
professionals
aspire to break into learning and
development (L&D). In this column, I will
highlight some of the more common
backgrounds that lead to L&D and the
areas of development that learners from
each path should focus on.
THE JOURNEY INTO A
CAREER IN L&D CAN
BE DIVERSE.
THE EDUCATION PATHWAY
One of the most direct routes to an L&D
career involves earning a graduate
degree in a related discipline (e.g., adult
education, training and development,
instructional design). Our research at
Training Industry reveals that upwards of
40% of the professionals that fill many L&D
job roles hold a graduate degree, including
55% of chief learning officers (CLOs),
44% of training directors, 51% of training
managers, 43% of learning consultants
and 47% of content developers. This
is unsurprising: Graduates of these
programs are equipped with theoretical
knowledge, research skills and an
academic appreciation of pedagogical
principles, preparing them to design
effective
training programs, analyze
learning needs and implement strategies
that enhance organizational learning.
For professionals with this background, a
critical focus for your development is that
of business acumen. A graduate degree
offers a great foundation, but a deep
understanding of the organizational and
industry contexts you'll be working in is
essential to thriving in these roles.
THE EXPERIENCE PATHWAY
Another common route to this field
involves leveraging previous experience
in educational settings, whether
in K-12 schools or post-secondary
institutions. Professionals
with
a
background in teaching or educational
administration have developed
relevant and transferable skills that
will facilitate a career in L&D. Their
firsthand experience in the classroom or
educational leadership positions equips
them with an understanding of learning
methodologies and the ability to tailor
training programs to diverse audiences.
However, individuals with this
background often worry about how to
best communicate their transferrable
skills to hiring managers. If you are
entering L&D from this background, you
have an opportunity to immerse yourself
in the language of L&D. Consume as
much content as you can to develop
the language to talk about your past
experiences in a way that relates to
the key requirements of training and
development roles.
THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE
PATHWAY
For those who have subject matter
expertise in critical operational areas,
a transition into L&D can also be a
natural progression. These individuals,
often recognized for their exceptional
performance in their respective fields,
bring a wealth of practical knowledge
to the table. Their journey into L&D
involves translating their operational
excellence into effective training
programs, instructional materials and
performance improvement initiatives.
If you are entering the L&D field from this
background, acquire knowledge of L&D
Another path to L&D begins with
managerial roles in other corporate
functions. Managers responsible for
overseeing teams and driving operational
success develop a unique set of leadership
and organizational skills. Transitioning into
L&D allows them to apply these skills to
employee
development,
build strong
learning cultures and align training with
business goals. Similar to SMEs, if you've
come to L&D from this background, you
must do your homework to understand
your training toolkit, L&D strategy and the
training processes you'll manage.
THE L&D CAREER JOURNEY
The journey into a career in L&D can be
diverse; whether you come into the field
through academic pursuits, previous
experience in education, subject matter
expertise or managerial roles outside
of the training department, you have
the opportunity to carve your own path
by showcasing your transferable skills
and addressing gaps in your current
skill set. As the demand for skilled
L&D professionals continues to grow,
the L&D profession will continue to
represent a melting pot of varied and
diverse experiences.
Amy DuVernet, Ph.D., CPTM, is the
director of
training and development
at Training Industry, Inc., where
she oversees all processes related
to Training Industry's courses for
training professionals, including program
development and evaluation. Email Amy.
processes and principles to understand
how a training function operates and what
resources are available in your role.
THE MANAGEMENT PATHWAY
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Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2024

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