Help me choose my new career/field! Not a programmer, not an educator...
September 1, 2011 8:34 AM Subscribe
Help me choose my new career/field! Not a programmer, not an educator...
I wrote out my experience, skill sets, and interests below. What do you guys think I should do?
5 years experience in education, the first three years teaching in the classroom, the next analyzing classrooms and doing PD. Comes with a lot of data analysis and talk about Ed Policy. I got into education because a unique opportunity came up in my last year of college.
Also occasionally manage social media, set up web pages, video edit, and edit photos.
A degree in digital communications that came with foundational experience with programming languages, web dev., database design, etc. Opted not to move in this direction because I was afraid I might end up in a Dilbert comic.
Hobbyist's interest in psychology, surrounding social sciences, and the sorts of business books you find in airport bookstores.
I graduated from a good college with good grades and lots of student leadership experience. In fact the best job I ever had was being president of a student organization.
Not interested in being a school principal or a full-time teacher. Willing to take or leave education, but will find ways to be an after-hours advocate if I leave.
Interested in a career that involves talking to people, problem-solving, a decent paycheck, and maybe travel.
Willing to get a new degree. Willing to relocate. Willing to do work with the skills that I have or learn completely new skills.
I wrote out my experience, skill sets, and interests below. What do you guys think I should do?
5 years experience in education, the first three years teaching in the classroom, the next analyzing classrooms and doing PD. Comes with a lot of data analysis and talk about Ed Policy. I got into education because a unique opportunity came up in my last year of college.
Also occasionally manage social media, set up web pages, video edit, and edit photos.
A degree in digital communications that came with foundational experience with programming languages, web dev., database design, etc. Opted not to move in this direction because I was afraid I might end up in a Dilbert comic.
Hobbyist's interest in psychology, surrounding social sciences, and the sorts of business books you find in airport bookstores.
I graduated from a good college with good grades and lots of student leadership experience. In fact the best job I ever had was being president of a student organization.
Not interested in being a school principal or a full-time teacher. Willing to take or leave education, but will find ways to be an after-hours advocate if I leave.
Interested in a career that involves talking to people, problem-solving, a decent paycheck, and maybe travel.
Willing to get a new degree. Willing to relocate. Willing to do work with the skills that I have or learn completely new skills.
Best answer: Would you consider being a corporate trainer? Lots of companies have people on-site or out in the world, teaching proprietary stuff or just general concepts. To some degree, you could have more freedom to seek out the constituency you'd like to serve.
posted by Madamina at 8:51 AM on September 1, 2011
posted by Madamina at 8:51 AM on September 1, 2011
Best answer: There's always assessment! My father's been a Director of Accountability for a local school district for years. With the advent of computer adaptive testing, the field seems to be broad and ever-changing. And in many states, each district develops their own testing schedule, etc. It's a huge industry. With a background in data analysis & digital communications, helping analyze assessment/accountability data seems obvious.
I help my father produce a state-wide conference every year (graphics, website, etc), and some of the companies that come up (and actively sponsor the conference) are NWEA, Classworks by Curriculum Advantage, Compass Learning, CSI Technology Outfitters, IBM, D2SC Data Driven Software Corporation, Interactive Achievement, The Leadership & Learning Center, Learning Station Insight, Link It!, Pearson Ed, Renaissance Learning, Scantron, and Tests for Higher Standards. (I'm just typing the names, so you can google them for more info later if you choose.)
posted by Kronur at 9:29 AM on September 1, 2011
I help my father produce a state-wide conference every year (graphics, website, etc), and some of the companies that come up (and actively sponsor the conference) are NWEA, Classworks by Curriculum Advantage, Compass Learning, CSI Technology Outfitters, IBM, D2SC Data Driven Software Corporation, Interactive Achievement, The Leadership & Learning Center, Learning Station Insight, Link It!, Pearson Ed, Renaissance Learning, Scantron, and Tests for Higher Standards. (I'm just typing the names, so you can google them for more info later if you choose.)
posted by Kronur at 9:29 AM on September 1, 2011
Response by poster: How does one become a corporate trainer?
posted by jander03 at 8:30 PM on September 1, 2011
posted by jander03 at 8:30 PM on September 1, 2011
Best answer: Hi! I'm a corporate trainer! (Actually I work for a nonprofit hospital, not a corporation, but still....)
The American Society for Training and Development is the premier professional organization for people in the learning and staff development field (which includes instructional designers and trainers). They probably have a local chapter in your area, and attending their meetings would be a good way to learn more about the field.
I got my job by having a good background working in hospitals and good "platform" skills. Your biggest barrier might be a background in education for children. Corporate trainer types tend to believe that "adult" education is different (I think that the "adult" education concepts are true for children as well, but they are less able to ignore and dismiss you if you are annoying and full of shit) - a certificate program in adult education/training/instructional design, etc. may help here. It would also connect you with the industry and give you some contacts.
Your tech background should be a help.
If you are interested in being an elearning designer (rather than a stand-in-front-of-people trainer), also look up the eLearning Guild.
posted by jeoc at 4:34 PM on September 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
The American Society for Training and Development is the premier professional organization for people in the learning and staff development field (which includes instructional designers and trainers). They probably have a local chapter in your area, and attending their meetings would be a good way to learn more about the field.
I got my job by having a good background working in hospitals and good "platform" skills. Your biggest barrier might be a background in education for children. Corporate trainer types tend to believe that "adult" education is different (I think that the "adult" education concepts are true for children as well, but they are less able to ignore and dismiss you if you are annoying and full of shit) - a certificate program in adult education/training/instructional design, etc. may help here. It would also connect you with the industry and give you some contacts.
Your tech background should be a help.
If you are interested in being an elearning designer (rather than a stand-in-front-of-people trainer), also look up the eLearning Guild.
posted by jeoc at 4:34 PM on September 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
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