Jump to a section:
- Roles and Work Environment
- Skills and Training
- Industry Timeline
- Find Opportunities
- Applying and Interviewing
- Additional Industry Resources
Roles and Work Environment
Training and development professionals help train employees or other adults, usually in a business or organization setting. Many work through a human resources department or a specific organization dedicated to training employees for other companies. Here are some examples of industries where training specialists are common:
- Scientific or technical services
- Healthcare
- Finance and insurance
- Educational services
- Administrative services
While the type of roles may vary depending on setting, training and development specialists often will perform tasks such as an employee needs assessment, designing and creating training materials, delivering a training, and reviewing and evaluating the training. These sessions may include giving lectures, facilitating discussions and team exercises, creating videos or manuals, and using technology to deliver content.
Skills and Training
Training and development professionals may come from a variety of backgrounds, depending on the sector they plan to work in. These include degrees in business, social sciences, or education. Additional expertise might include instructional design, educational or organizational psychology. Professional organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management and Association for Talent Development often offer certification programs that specialize in this area. Here are some skills that are helpful for professional trainers:
- Analytical/assessment skills
- Communication and public speaking
- Creativity
- Instructional/teaching skills
- Familiarity with technical platforms
Industry Timeline
coming soon...
Find Opportunities
Connecting with human resource professionals on Grounds is a great way to learn more about this field. Like UVA, most large businesses or organizations have a human resources department, so look for internship postings! You can also look for opportunities to train others through any part-time job or student organization, depending on your role.
On-Grounds
- UVA Society for Human Resource Management Chapter
- CORE trains other student organizations around sexual assault prevention
- Career Peer Educators
- Peer Health Educators
Off-Grounds
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Charlottesville Chapter
- Society for Human Resource Management Job Board
Applying and Interviewing
Resumes and Cover Letters
Make sure to check out the Resumes and Cover Letters sections of the website for helpful advice and sample resumes and cover letters.
Interviewing
If you have never interviewed before, make sure to check out the interviewing section of our website. You can also conduct a mock interview with a career counselor for practice.
Additional Industry Resources
Blogs and Industry Research
- Training and Development - Reference for Business
- Occupational Employment and Wages - United States Department of Labor
- Training and Development Managers - United States Department of Labor
- HR Professionals Manage a Valuable Resource: People
