Sheryl Crow once offered that advice, although I am rather certain she wasn’t offering career guidance. Regardless, a change has done me good!
This week, I joined a fast-growing company that specializes in Human Resources and compliance training productions. There are a lot of positives that come with this change:
- The position is 100% remote.
It wasn’t an issue to commute to the Charlotte area monthly with my previous employer, but that role did limit me to living in the Carolinas. Now, if my husband’s career opportunities take us to another state or location (or if we simply want to move), I won’t have to change employers. - I’m part of a training team.
Regardless of what you do, it can be difficult to be a team of one. Previously, anything I wanted to learn in Articulate or regarding training and instructional design, I had to learn on my own. Budgets for conferences and continuing education were limited.
Now, I’m a part of a content design team, and I am already learning from my new colleagues. Also, it is neat to see persons specializing in one content production area (design, scripts and writing, video production, technology support), and I look forward to learning more about each piece of this puzzle from my new co-workers. - I’ll get to continue balancing training design and HR knowledge.
I think this is a task where I can excel. Further, I worked too hard to earn my Human Resources certifications to give them up. I’m excited to have found a career where I can continue pursuing HR knowledge while also becoming a more effective and efficient training designer. - The company is fast-growing.
During my own research, the interview phase, and the on-boarding process it has been near unbelievable to see their growth data over the last few years. It is evidence of that the training market is growing and that there is demand for solid, well-produced training tools. Equally as important, that growth is a big clue that my new employer is doing it right!
While I was initially hesitant to join a company that is still relatively early in its life-cycle, I’ve realized this is the type of opportunity that does not come around often. I’m excited to grow and develop with the company. - The culture appears to be amazing.
Yesterday, another designer mentioned how it is imperative to produce training that suits learners across the disability spectrum; I was proud to hear that is a priority. My own supervisor has been nothing but supportive in responding to my questions and concerns of the last few weeks. Other staff members have provided reassurances, including two other designers who took time to schedule a phone call to tell me about their roles, average work days, frustrations, and triumphs as I progressed through the interview process. The Chief Learning Officer was quick to praise their “no jerks” culture during our call days after I began the application process.
Simply stated, their culture has a lot of similarities with that of my beloved former employer.
The last few weeks have included some sleepless nights, worry, and frayed nerves. Change can be hard. More than once I wondered if I was making the correct decision. I have little doubt now, and I am transitioning to a phase of reminding myself to be patient as I learn a new company, their processes, and their expectations. I can be my own worst critic and have to remember I must learn to (figuratively speaking) crawl, walk, and then run forward. One thing is certain, this is positive change and will do me good!
