Training Industry Magazine - Spring 2024 - 32

Another common role is a single
support person who fills all the roles
to support training. Each of these roles
can lead to a nonlinear training career.
HOW TO DEVELOP A
CAREER PATH STRATEGY
The nature of the training team can also
spur a nonlinear training career path. Is it a
training team of one, responsible for all the
tasks above? Or is it a brand-new training
function for a department or company?
Where the training team sits within an
organization can also create opportunities
for a nonlinear training career. Do
they report to HR directly, or are they
independent (as a peer to HR)? Are they
part of a larger support team (such as legal
or marketing), or are they decentralized
and sit within a functional area?
A switchback, or pivot, can also evolve
from training-adjacent experience. Here
are some examples:
* Pivoting from a functional team -
subject matter expert (SME): This
professional
might
create
great
presentations or write processes in a
way that others could follow or help
onboard new employees or have
strong public speaking skills
* Transitioning from a K-12 teacher to a
corporate training role.
* Shifting from another HR specialty,
such as a recruiter or HR business
partner (HRBP).
* Working with the L&D team on the
periphery, then developing an interest
in the work.
* Converting a niche side gig to a
traditional corporate position.
The Value of a
Nonlinear Career
In today's complex talent environment
with widening skills gaps and talent
shortages, organizations that are open to
employees with diversified skill sets are
more likely to fill critical roles. Fortunately,
this is a great time to have a nonlinear
career. Those seemingly disparate roles
and accomplishments can demonstrate
capabilities that are unique to you and
your value proposition.
Determining
an
how
important
to
discuss
your
nonlinear career path in a job interview
is
consideration. You
should anticipate questions about how
your
past experiences
are
relevant
to the role. Discuss how your specific
history is an advantage. Sketch out a
career profile that tells a comprehensive
story. For example, a benefit to the
organization of your transition from sales
to training is you can anticipate the types
of challenges the sales team might have
when discussing a new product line with
potential clients.
A nonlinear career can take many paths,
including a lateral job change, promotion
into a different team or role or a demotion.
When Michelle Gass was CEO of Kohl's,
she took the role of president at Levi
Strauss, effectively taking a demotion in
title if not scope. But she recognized the
intended outcome - to become CEO of
Levi Strauss as part of a succession plan
- was worth it. She understood the big
picture and was willing to take the risk.
Remember that nonlinear careers happen
at all stages of a career, from entry level to
the highest executive role.
If you are ready to develop a career path strategy,
here are some basic tips:
* Identify your ultimate big hairy audacious goal (BHAG).
* Self-reflect:
* Conduct an honest evaluation of your current state.
* Identify your transferable skills.
* Determine skills you'll need to reach your goals:
* Soft skills: public speaking, classroom management,
critical thinking.
* Hard skills: industry knowledge, eLearning tools,
LMS platforms, Microsoft PowerPoint, certifications,
etc.
* Identify short-term goals to reach your BHAG:
* Document resources needed.
* Set deadlines.
* Celebrate your incremental wins.
Use common training design and planning tools to
develop your own career path strategy, then use that as a
success story for your nonlinear training career.
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Training Industry Magazine - Spring 2024

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