Section 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It

Reflection One:
I did research on the three positions below through the American Society for Training and Development job bank search engine. See my findings outlined below.

Training & Development Specialist
Job Description: Increase business growth, employee retention & morale by developing skills & improving knowledge in the workplace. Assess quality, consistency & effectiveness of existing training programs. Identify needs, design, develop & oversee training programs in all levels of office/field employees. Develop and organize written training materials/manuals & effectively implement them. Conduct training sessions (field & corporate office) identify & implement consistency of best practices & culture throughout the division. Organize and manage all employee training records.
Skills:  The ideal candidate is dynamic, energetic and has excellent communication skills including public speaking. A Bachelors Degree in Education/Training, Communications or similar program is required. A minimum of 2 years experience in training analysis, design and development is essential. 5 plus years’ prior training, teaching, or related technical training experience is a must. Strong customer service, organizational & time management skills are essential. A strong sense of urgency is required as well as the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Camtasia, Articulate Rapid and Visual Graphic Design software is a must. Some travel is required.
Skill Match:  I am qualified in the areas of communication, public speaking, and I hold BA in communications. I am working on only my second year with teaching, and I do hold experience with customer service, organization and time management.  I am not qualified in the areas of design, development and software.  

E-Learning Instructor

Job Description:An increasing demand for online seminars and customer programs which support equipment purchases has fueled our need for online facilitators. Due to the diversity of computer equipment, these online facilitators must be qualified to develop software that is compatible with various platforms and connection speeds. Online facilitators may also moderate online meetings, educational seminars or employee training programs. 

Skills: Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Graduate degree in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology or similar discipline is preferred, Teaching experience in a hospital or college level setting and/or certification by an accepted adult education specific program preferred, Proficiency in e-Learning authoring tools required, Proven ability to develop detailed scripts, story boards, and training content, Superior writing skills including the ability to write concise, creative, and effective instructional materials, Outstanding organization, prioritization, time management skills, High level of attention to detail, Excellent computer skills including familiarity with MS Office 2007, Ability to develop and edit content according to specific clients needs, Excellent verbal and written communication skills, Experience interfacing with clients, synthesizing their needs and assisting in the sales process, Experience in the simultaneous management of several large projects 

Skill Match: I found this position to be interesting; however,  I feel it is not a good match for my skill levels at this time. I would need educational experience. 

Education and Training Program Manager

Job Description: Davenport University’s Institute for Professional Excellence is visionary. We specialize in individual and corporate training, development, and certification programs that emphasize practical skills for facing tomorrow’s economic challenges.  The Education and Training Program Manager is responsible for new business development as well as maintaining relationships with businesses and organizations seeking to utilize education, training and professional development services. The position responds to inquiries and works with business leaders to understand educational and training needs. Additionally the Program Manager frames and delivers a solution in a fast paced, creative and highly entrepreneurial manner.

Skills:  The successful candidate will have a demonstrated background in sales or marketing coupled with curriculum design and development knowledge. A high energy level, flexibility, sense of humor and a sense of entrepreneurialism are a must in this exciting new opportunity. A bachelor’s degree is required, Master’s preferred. Individuals with a background in Training and Organization Development in Health Care, IT or Business Content settings are encouraged to apply

Skill Match:  I am never one to not apply for a job where I do not meet all requirements. I am qualified with a bachelor's and I am in the process of completing a Master's and I have three years sales experience. The other skill requirements seem vague, however I am not a match for listed background skills.

Reflection Two:
After going through the self assessment from http://www.careerinfonet.org/ I do not feel that I learned much about myself. At this point in my career, I am familiar with my work skills and have a personal understanding of areas where I need work as well as areas where I excel. So, I went a little further and selected a profile match in an area I sought as a future goal. I was curious to see how qualified I was currently within my career to make a move in this direction.  I was shocked to see how many areas of skill level were on the qualified side of the position. Below is a photo capture of my skill profile results as well as the profile match for an administrator position.
Profile Results:

Skills Profile for Education Administrator Position:

Reflection Three:

Reflection Four:
Performance technologist: Domains, competencies, and performance statement.

Job Description:  Develop instructional materials and products and assist in the technology-based redesign of courses. Assist faculty in learning about, becoming proficient in, and applying instructional technology.  Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization. Aid the client in solving performance problems. Establish, support, and demonstrate effective organizational outcomes.
Skills: Candidate must possess skills in performance improvement and training. Must Hold certification with PT practitioner and provide credibility and continue to complete professional development and recertification requirements.  Must maintain social mandates and values of PT standards and support organizational goals while focussing on the impact of society
Additional description and skill emphasis:
From the reading and table 27.6 and 27.7, I would chose to emphasize on the standard domains of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation. To be specific the PT would need qualities of each of these standards.  I would also incorporate the section on ethical conduct due to the nature of the position held in any company.

Overall, having only been introduced to these competencies from this chapter, I would definitely use this model to help guide my decision of choosing the best PT candidate if given the responsibility.