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ATD Blog

Where are you in your T&D career?

Monday, February 18, 2013
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We are truly looking forward to the publication of the 3rd edition of Career Moves, which will be published in September. Our book highlights the latest training and development trends and gives you the tools you need for the practical application of the revised ASTD Competency Model™. This blog is being initiated for ASTD members and other individuals to become aware of this new resource and the importance of managing your career.

As you know, there are multiple generations in the workplace and they are all at various stages and steps in their careers. Of course, this includes professionals in the T&D field as well. To which generation do you belong? Each generation faces different challenges and has different concerns. What challenge or concern are you facing, if any? Examples of relevant generational career questions are listed below. 

  • I am launching my T&D career and am very excited, motivated, and eager to begin and become a productive team member. What are some things I need to consider and do to project a strong and positive impression?
  • I know that “up is not the only way” to progress through an organization, particularly with the collapse of organizational hierarchy and downsizing. What can I do to continue to advance and remain challenged?
  • Having been in the field for over 20 years, what can I do to remain engaged and passionate about my work rather than in a rut and feeling left behind?
  • As I get closer to retirement, I feel that I want to pass on my organizational knowledge, professional experience, and also continue to use my expertise within my community. What are some good ways to do this?

These are some of the questions addressed in our discussions about taking control of your career direction and the choices available for reaching your ideal professional goal. Quite frequently, people are just not aware of their options. They assume they have none and reluctantly make concessions or compromises. This doesn’t have to be so. Possibilities are out there waiting to be discovered.
Are you facing other circumstances in your desire to continue a satisfying and fulfilling work life and maintain your journey on your career path? We would like to hear from you. Please submit additional questions to [email protected] and we will try to incorporate some of them into future blogs.

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About the Author

Annabelle Reitman has more than 40 years of experience in career coaching and counseling, specializing in résumé development that targets clients’ individualized professional stories. She also does short-term coaching for people in work transitions, enabling them to successfully continue their career journey. Reitman is an established writer and author in the career and talent management arenas. She is a co-author of ATD's Career Moves (2013) and contributed the Take charge of Your Career: Breaking Into & Advancing in the T&D Profession Chapter to the  ASTD Handbook, 2nd edition (2014). Reitman holds doctorate and master’s degrees in higher education administration from Teachers College, Columbia University.

About the Author

Caitlin Williams, PhD, is an expert in navigating the workplace with grit and grace and co-author of Career Moves: Be Strategic About Your Future (ASTD Press 2013). An atypical career development professional, through her consulting, speaking, and writing, she evangelizes the opportunities for experienced professionals to continue to pursue meaningful work that keeps their performance high, their anxiety low, and their lives moving in the direction that works for them. Witnessing the disheartening effects of the “working worried,” she offers these committed workers specific tools and strategies for flourishing in a always uncertain workplace. Whether experienced professionals are exploring new career paths or pursuing excellence in already chosen careers, she acts as their chief supporter and sounding board. Caitlin is also an organization’s key advisor, guiding leadership in identifying and leveraging employee strengths and critical skill sets and helping them build healthy, productive and innovative workplaces. In her work, Caitlin uses the leading-edge tools of personal branding, appreciative inquiry, personal story, and preferred futuring. These techniques powerfully shift her clients and audiences’ perspective from one that is limited to a history-focused and static view of themselves to one that leverages current strengths and focuses on future possibilities.

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