Quieting Imposter Syndrome Through Growth

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Who are the more than 5,000 talent development professionals who have earned the APTD or CPTD credential? Get to know the talented and diverse community: Jake Boyer is a Senior Learning and Development Consultant. He earned the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) credential in 2024.

Who are the more than 5,000 talent development professionals who have earned the APTD or CPTD credential? Get to know the talented and diverse community:

Jake Boyer is a Senior Learning and Development Consultant. He earned the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) credential in 2024.

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Why did you pursue the CPTD? I earned my CPTD in 2024 because I wanted to formally recognize the profession I had grown into and prove to myself that I belonged in it. Like many in learning and development, I started as an “accidental trainer” and spent years contributing to training work informally. Over time, I realized I had found my niche and a genuine calling. When the opportunity finally came to step fully into L&D, I committed to it wholeheartedly. Pursuing the CPTD was both a personal and professional milestone that strengthened my expertise, quieted imposter syndrome, and increased the impact I can make. It has helped me grow while helping my organization grow, and I have not looked back. How have you benefited from the credential—professionally and/or personally? Earning the CPTD has strengthened my confidence and solidified my identity as an L&D professional. Personally, it helped me overcome lingering imposter syndrome and gave me a clearer sense of purpose in the work I do. Professionally, the credential broadened my perspective, sharpened my skills, and gave me a stronger framework for solving the real problems my organization faces. It has opened doors for deeper collaboration, greater trust from stakeholders, and more opportunities to influence learning strategy. The CPTD has been both a validation of the path I chose and a catalyst for continued growth. What advice would you share with others considering certification? Do not take the certification process lightly. Dive in and commit fully. Embrace the TDBok™: Talent Development Body of Knowledge and trust the principles that guide the profession. Use the Talent Development Capability Model™ self-assessment to understand your strengths and identify the areas where you want to grow. If study groups are available in your area, join them and learn from others who are on the same path. Most importantly, put in the time and effort to get the most out of your experience. The journey is demanding, but it is also rewarding and helps you become a stronger, more confident talent development professional. How do you think certification helps the talent development field? Certification strengthens the talent development field by creating a shared standard of excellence. It gives practitioners a common foundation of knowledge, skills, and ethics that elevates the quality of work across the profession. When more people pursue credentials, it reinforces the idea that L&D is not accidental work but a discipline that requires intention, expertise, and continuous growth. Certification also increases credibility with business leaders, which helps L&D teams influence strategy, secure resources, and deliver stronger outcomes. Ultimately, it supports a healthier profession by encouraging lifelong learning and helping organizations see the real value that skilled talent development professionals bring. How did your employer support your pursuit of the credential? My employer paved the way for my growth from the very beginning. They fully supported my ambition to pursue the CPTD and created space for me to succeed. I was encouraged to study during work hours, which made it possible to balance preparation with my daily responsibilities. They also covered the cost of the exam and continue to invest in my development by funding the continuing education required to maintain the credential. Their support reinforced my commitment to the field and helped me reach this important milestone in my career. What does having your credential mean to you? The CPTD represents a turning point in my career and in my confidence as a learning professional. It is a reminder of the work I put in to grow from an accidental trainer into someone who is intentional, skilled, and committed to the field. The credential gives me a sense of pride because it reflects both the knowledge I have built and the belief I now have in myself. It also symbolizes my responsibility to continue learning, to contribute to my organization in meaningful ways, and to uphold the standards of the talent development profession. To me, the CPTD is not just a credential. It is a validation of who I am as a practitioner and a motivator to keep raising the bar. How did you get into the talent development field? My path into talent development has been anything but traditional, and it is a journey I am grateful for. I started my career in sales and quickly became one of the youngest and top performers in my organization. Senior leadership noticed my strengths and asked me to help develop a foundational training program to support other sales representatives. That experience sparked something in me and showed me how much I enjoyed helping others grow.

Why did you pursue the CPTD?
I earned my CPTD in 2024 because I wanted to formally recognize the profession I had grown into and prove to myself that I belonged in it. Like many in learning and development, I started as an “accidental trainer” and spent years contributing to training work informally. Over time, I realized I had found my niche and a genuine calling. When the opportunity finally came to step fully into L&D, I committed to it wholeheartedly. Pursuing the CPTD was both a personal and professional milestone that strengthened my expertise, quieted imposter syndrome, and increased the impact I can make. It has helped me grow while helping my organization grow, and I have not looked back.

How have you benefited from the credential—professionally and/or personally?
Earning the CPTD has strengthened my confidence and solidified my identity as an L&D professional. Personally, it helped me overcome lingering imposter syndrome and gave me a clearer sense of purpose in the work I do. Professionally, the credential broadened my perspective, sharpened my skills, and gave me a stronger framework for solving the real problems my organization faces. It has opened doors for deeper collaboration, greater trust from stakeholders, and more opportunities to influence learning strategy. The CPTD has been both a validation of the path I chose and a catalyst for continued growth.

What advice would you share with others considering certification?
Do not take the certification process lightly. Dive in and commit fully. Embrace the TDBok™: Talent Development Body of Knowledge and trust the principles that guide the profession. Use the Talent Development Capability Model™ self-assessment to understand your strengths and identify the areas where you want to grow. If study groups are available in your area, join them and learn from others who are on the same path. Most importantly, put in the time and effort to get the most out of your experience. The journey is demanding, but it is also rewarding and helps you become a stronger, more confident talent development professional.

How do you think certification helps the talent development field?
Certification strengthens the talent development field by creating a shared standard of excellence. It gives practitioners a common foundation of knowledge, skills, and ethics that elevates the quality of work across the profession. When more people pursue credentials, it reinforces the idea that L&D is not accidental work but a discipline that requires intention, expertise, and continuous growth. Certification also increases credibility with business leaders, which helps L&D teams influence strategy, secure resources, and deliver stronger outcomes. Ultimately, it supports a healthier profession by encouraging lifelong learning and helping organizations see the real value that skilled talent development professionals bring.

How did your employer support your pursuit of the credential?
My employer paved the way for my growth from the very beginning. They fully supported my ambition to pursue the CPTD and created space for me to succeed. I was encouraged to study during work hours, which made it possible to balance preparation with my daily responsibilities. They also covered the cost of the exam and continue to invest in my development by funding the continuing education required to maintain the credential. Their support reinforced my commitment to the field and helped me reach this important milestone in my career.

What does having your credential mean to you?
The CPTD represents a turning point in my career and in my confidence as a learning professional. It is a reminder of the work I put in to grow from an accidental trainer into someone who is intentional, skilled, and committed to the field. The credential gives me a sense of pride because it reflects both the knowledge I have built and the belief I now have in myself. It also symbolizes my responsibility to continue learning, to contribute to my organization in meaningful ways, and to uphold the standards of the talent development profession. To me, the CPTD is not just a credential. It is a validation of who I am as a practitioner and a motivator to keep raising the bar.

How did you get into the talent development field?
My path into talent development has been anything but traditional, and it is a journey I am grateful for. I started my career in sales and quickly became one of the youngest and top performers in my organization. Senior leadership noticed my strengths and asked me to help develop a foundational training program to support other sales representatives. That experience sparked something in me and showed me how much I enjoyed helping others grow.

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I eventually pivoted out of sales and took my first formal step into training as a trainer at a distribution center. There, I learned how to translate knowledge into better processes and outcomes, and I discovered how rewarding it was to see others succeed because of what I taught them.

I eventually pivoted out of sales and took my first formal step into training as a trainer at a distribution center. There, I learned how to translate knowledge into better processes and outcomes, and I discovered how rewarding it was to see others succeed because of what I taught them.

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My journey continued into law enforcement, where I served as a Field Training Officer in Corrections for more than six years. After that, I transitioned into finance and banking and helped build skills and programs that strengthened the teams I worked with. Eventually, I found my way into insurance, where my passion for developing others continued to grow.

My journey continued into law enforcement, where I served as a Field Training Officer in Corrections for more than six years. After that, I transitioned into finance and banking and helped build skills and programs that strengthened the teams I worked with. Eventually, I found my way into insurance, where my passion for developing others continued to grow.

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My career has taken me through multiple industries, and each step has shaped who I am as a talent development professional. Every role gave me new skills, new perspectives, and new challenges. I would not trade that winding path for anything because it allowed me to grow, evolve, and discover a clear sense of purpose. Every day has been a chance to learn and help others do the same, and that is what keeps me committed to this field. What is the most unusual job you've had? I spent six years in Corrections as a Field Training Officer.

My career has taken me through multiple industries, and each step has shaped who I am as a talent development professional. Every role gave me new skills, new perspectives, and new challenges. I would not trade that winding path for anything because it allowed me to grow, evolve, and discover a clear sense of purpose. Every day has been a chance to learn and help others do the same, and that is what keeps me committed to this field.

What is the most unusual job you've had?
I spent six years in Corrections as a Field Training Officer.

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Have you earned the APTD or CPTD? Share your story with the community.

Have you earned the APTD or CPTD? Share your story with the community.