The Credential That Opened Doors

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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: Penelope Doyle is a Learning Experience Standards Lead. She 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:

Penelope Doyle is a Learning Experience Standards Lead. She earned the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD®) credential in 2024.

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Why did you pursue the APTD/CPTD? Making a career transition from tertiary education to the aviation industry in an oversight role, I knew I had the skills to be successful but was keen to ensure that I also had the credibility my new role demanded. The ATD capability model appealed to me as it provided a map of the full range of skills and competencies I could and should develop to be successful as a learning and development professional in a global organization.

Why did you pursue the APTD/CPTD?
Making a career transition from tertiary education to the aviation industry in an oversight role, I knew I had the skills to be successful but was keen to ensure that I also had the credibility my new role demanded. The ATD capability model appealed to me as it provided a map of the full range of skills and competencies I could and should develop to be successful as a learning and development professional in a global organization.

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How have you benefited from the credential—professionally and/or personally? The certification has given me a broad understanding of personal, professional, and organizational capabilities. It was rigorous and demanded my attention, which made it feel like even more of a worthwhile personal goal. Professionally, it has added to my academic studies in furthering my understanding of adult learning in an organizational context.

How have you benefited from the credential—professionally and/or personally?
The certification has given me a broad understanding of personal, professional, and organizational capabilities. It was rigorous and demanded my attention, which made it feel like even more of a worthwhile personal goal. Professionally, it has added to my academic studies in furthering my understanding of adult learning in an organizational context.

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What advice would you share with others considering certification? Be systematic in your approach and start earlier than you think you need to prepare for the exam. I found the online course a useful tool to guide me in my preparation, but the exam is based on practical scenarios, so get involved in as many projects as you can! These will be invaluable in giving you real examples to connect to the theories.

What advice would you share with others considering certification?
Be systematic in your approach and start earlier than you think you need to prepare for the exam. I found the online course a useful tool to guide me in my preparation, but the exam is based on practical scenarios, so get involved in as many projects as you can! These will be invaluable in giving you real examples to connect to the theories.

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How do you think certification helps the talent development field? Like any professional field, talent development should have standards that its practitioners should be held to. Having a certification framework promotes the progress of the talent development field. Having professional standards not only defines TD as a valuable function in any organization but also promotes its credibility and contribution to achieving measurable organizational objectives.

How do you think certification helps the talent development field?
Like any professional field, talent development should have standards that its practitioners should be held to. Having a certification framework promotes the progress of the talent development field. Having professional standards not only defines TD as a valuable function in any organization but also promotes its credibility and contribution to achieving measurable organizational objectives.

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How did your employer support your pursuit of the credential? I was very fortunate to have a supportive line manager and receive funding for the associated costs in pursuing this credential.

How did your employer support your pursuit of the credential?
I was very fortunate to have a supportive line manager and receive funding for the associated costs in pursuing this credential.

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What does having your credential mean to you? It is a personal and professional achievement I can be proud of!

What does having your credential mean to you?
It is a personal and professional achievement I can be proud of!

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How did you get into the talent development field? During my career in tertiary education, I was always very interested in professional development and social learning. I held many team leadership roles but got a lot of satisfaction from developing capability in my team. My academic studies in adult learning were my springboard to a new role in a new industry and I have never looked back!

How did you get into the talent development field?
During my career in tertiary education, I was always very interested in professional development and social learning. I held many team leadership roles but got a lot of satisfaction from developing capability in my team. My academic studies in adult learning were my springboard to a new role in a new industry and I have never looked back!

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What is the best advice you’ve ever received? If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing it right!

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing it right!

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What is a great book you’ve read recently? The Highland Witch

What is a great book you’ve read recently?
The Highland Witch

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What is your favorite hobby or pastime? Reading

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
Reading

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What is the most unusual job you’ve had? I’ve always been in the “learning business,” from being a university lecturer to a second-grade teacher to a language instructor to a talent development professional!

What is the most unusual job you’ve had?
I’ve always been in the “learning business,” from being a university lecturer to a second-grade teacher to a language instructor to a talent development professional!

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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.