Is It Possible to Get a Career in Learning and Development From Where I Am?

In this post, I am answering a question that was posted in a learning and education professional group on LinkedIn recently. Given the word limit constraints on the comment bar and the more detailed feedback I wanted to share, this seemed the best place for it.

The question posed (edited) was :

"I am a single mom with two amazing and active boys - I have very little help and very little time. The thought of going back to school and juggling my work and home responsibilities is overwhelming to me. 

I have a wide variety of experience in teaching, training, and coaching in a variety of settings. However I have very little training or education in it. I have an Associate's degree and my emphasis when going to school was on other prerequisites. I learn things very quickly and have just sort of happened into the training and facilitating positions by being enthusiastic and willing.

What advice do you have for me? Are there books you recommend? In-person groups where I could get training or feedback on my presentation skills? How can I get education or training in Training in my free time with minimal cost?"

Jane (pseudonym)

It starts with a dream

Congratulations to Jane for taking on so much. Overwhelmed as she is with all her various responsibilities, Jane recognised what she is passionate about and is interested in doing what she needs to, in order to make things happen.

The lesson here : The first step is to figure out what you want in life. You don't wait for it to appear, or for it to be handed to you. You need to discover it and you do that by opening yourself up to a wide variety of experiences, even allowing yourself the chance to fail, in order to know what is possible.

The value of the network

It's interesting to note that Jane was able to leverage the power of the network. We spend the time to build our network, not because others say we should or because we like to know we have 4000 followers. We build a network so we can provide value to others who need our help but also, so that we can tap into this same network when we need support or advice. Which is what Jane did.

The lesson here : Use what resources you already have. You don’t need to start from the bottom. You also don’t need to reinvent the wheel. By reaching out to those in your community, to those who are in the same field as you and who understand the challenges of working in your field, you get access to a whole slew of ideas, tips and potentially, resources too, that could be of benefit.

It starts with reaching out.

The power of the right set of questions

When you look at your challenges from afar, it can seem difficult, uncertain and perhaps even incapable of resolution. Things can clump together. You are looking and considering everything. Sometimes, it is difficult to see the forest from the trees.

Your feelings and thoughts about an issue can change dramatically depending on the kind of questions you ask yourself.

So, in Jane's example, she could focus on the fact that she has her boys, little help and little time. Unless supervening factors come into the picture (access to additional funds to hire a maid or access to outside help with her children which will free up her time), this is her current reality. But focusing on this does not help Jane solve things.

When you begin to allow yourself to focus and deal with issues, one at a time, things begin to change. They also change when you move from just focusing on the problem to stepping back and asking yourself what you want instead. Your feelings and thoughts about an issue can change dramatically depending on the kind of questions you ask yourself.

Here, Jane deals with this issue by focusing on what she wants which in her case is supported by :

• her experience in teaching, training and coaching in a variety of settings - we can gauge sufficient interest here;
• her ability to learn quickly;
• her entry into training due to her enthusiasm and willingness;
• her desire to do something about it; and
• her interest to grow via a keenness to read, join relevant groups and get further training.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

W H Murray in the Scottish Himalaya Expedition

The lesson here : Ask the right questions. These are questions that :

• focus on where you want to go, not where you currently are;
• help empower you, not bring you down;
• help move you closer to the path you want to take; and
• bring answers which feel right and in alignment with the person you are and the values you hold dear.

Mostly, as you get older, you realise you already know what to do. It's whether you have the courage to go down that road, with the baggage, responsibilities and state of play you're in at the moment.

Sometimes, you need a nudge in the right direction.

Sometimes, you need to know that in a while that option will no longer be available (how do you feel about it now?).

Sometimes, you just need to bite the bullet.

Start now and start with what you have

Oftentimes, we do not take enough stock of the wealth of information and expertise we have within. We perceive lesser value in what is within because of its intangible nature and the fact that we take it for granted.

Yet, we all have a wealth within, a huge repository of information, beliefs, values, experiences and expertise built up through the years which present a tapestry of sorts upon which we have weaved the story of our lives.

Start now. Start boldly. Start with what you have.

Others, with the same degree as you, did not come from the same kind of family as you did.

Others, with the same job, do not hold the same values as you do.

Others, with the same privileges, did not experience the same life as you did.

Therein lies the richness of your experience and expertise to showcase to the world.

Therefore, while it may please us to wait till we had that job, or had nine years of that kind of experience, or had that degree, it does not matter.

Start now. Start boldly. Start with what you have.

A life of possibility begins with a dream but must, oh must, continue with action. Action that turns possibilities into opportunities.

You can learn as you go. You can expect to - and should - make mistakes but understand that it is ok to do so because it's part of the journey. There is so much out there in today's digital world (and the offline one at that) that the possibility for information paralysis is real.

You can concern yourself with prettifying and perfecting a service that never launches.

You can keep improving because you think it's not ready. Yet.

Yes, you can.

But you can also ship.

"Trick the lizard if you must, but declare war on it regardless. Understand that the only thing between you and the success you seek in a chaotic world is a lizard that figures out that safe is risky and risky is safe. "

Seth Godin

Advice on educating yourself, books to read, groups to join, things that have minimal cost

1. Continue to seek out other learning and development professionals

Develop relationships with them, one on one. Start a conversation strong - don't seek to offer generic advice, be bold in your offering and the value you seek to bring. Offer help in forums and networking groups. Support others first that they may notice you before you seek counsel.

Your brand is how you will be defined. Let it be that it comes about intentionally.

2. Develop a brand for yourself, build a reputation in your space

Figure out what that brand - make it bold and clear that this is what you do and what you stand for. Make sure that this is reflected across all the channels you use and platforms you are on. Be clear about the need for this consistency in managing your personal brand. Your brand is how you will be defined and let it be that it comes about intentionally.

If you plan to offer a service or product, have a website that really delivers. Spend the money you need to, to showcase your brand. Mind you, in today's world, with so much given away free, you also have the opportunity to test products and services out with trial runs, to commit to shorter life-cycles, to do away with huge overheads and legacy systems.

The key problem here is the time you need to devote to coming up to speed, learning as you go and not letting the hiccups get in the way of the big goal.

3. Follow influencers both within your space and outside

Learning and development people need not only be connecting to their own kind. Follow influencers in marketing, sales, design, technology and leadership. Move outside your typical zone so that you expose yourself to new ideas and ways of thinking and so you get ideas on what else is happening around you. Whether you follow them on Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+, you have the wonderful, free option to tap into their thinking so that long after you've put their bestseller down, they continue to help guide you and put you on your path.

4. Network both offline and online

While the internet has dramatically altered the workforce of today, how we work and play as well as how we communicate, there's still power in meeting people face to face. In having conversations over a cup of tea or meeting fellow HR folk at a HR gathering. Explore it all. Tap on different networks at different times, all the while, making it work for you, in your time.

5. Get on social

So much of the nitty gritty in terms of resources you can tap into to grow and improve can be yours if you embrace social. Armed with LinkedIn, Google+ and Twitter accounts, there is enough online to keep you going well into an information overload.

In the age of content marketing and businesses who understand the power and purpose of bringing value to the table first, so much is yours to take and experience simply through the power of social. The only dangers are too much information, knowing when to cut back and have the ability to sift the wheat from the chaff.

"Is it possible to get a career in Learning and Development from where I am?"

Yes it is. You have the desire. With the right set of questions, patience and fortitude, this career is yours for the taking.

Start now. Start boldly. Start with what you have.

“Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity. Do not misunderstand me, danger is very real but fear is a choice.”

Will Smith from the movie, After Earth



Mull over the idea that you are capable of significant influence. You can use your talent, leverage your experience and skillset and put it to good use. You can make the changes you need to see happening within your circles of influence. Feel free to reach out if you're planning to write a book and need a ghostwriter, editor or just help to get started. Connect if you're looking for ways to broaden your network or need help to develop with your LinkedIn profile. You can find out more about me or sign up for my newsletter at rowenamorais.com.