Your Personal Trainer

[eggwards]

There was a new opportunity posted at work, Trainer. A few years ago I was a trainer for my department, before I became a supervisor. Once the main trainers were through with their new hires, Heather and I then gave a class to give them the information they would need for our department. My main specialty was redemptions and legals. We also developed training programs for new products and applications. since i was the first trainer our department had, the original teaching courses were developed by me, and I was the first to give them. Much of what's done, four years later, is still based upon my work.

I loved teaching, getting up in front of an audience and telling them all about it. I also created and hosted a game show that was set up to review the information before their final test. I loved playing Bob Barker. Sure, I got feedback that I ramble too much (who me? Ramble?), and that class members didn't like the fact that I wouldn't give an answer directly to people, once I had already taught them something. Students were so used to the corporate training group spoon feeding answers to them, they were put off by the fact I would ask them to look at their materials, or try to remember what they had learned. I took that to just being a complaint, and nothing to worry about. I'm just setting them up for the real world, right?

Well, when the economy started to take a tumble, and we were laying people off a year ago, most of our corporate training staff was given the heave-ho. Now that we're hiring again, we need more trainers. It's a surprising turnaround.

There's a few problems. I don't want to stay with this company long term, for one. i don't know how much longer I'll be here, but I'd hate to change, and then leave. It's also not management. Sure, that I'm now a Team Lead, and not Supervisor, is a cause for concern, but that's already done. Still, I'm on a management track, and Trainer isn't. I think they'll still pay me the same money though.

The jobs a little less stressful, but less prestigious, I think. Neither one looks like it will lead to higher positions anytime soon, though changing departments is a good thing for my career. Five years and I've always been in Retirements.

I like teaching, and the presentations, and I still get to do some of that in my current position. I get to control it, design it, and I don't have to worry about grading anyone. That changes with the Trainer position. I would have to evaluate and coach (not that I don't do that with my team now), but I wouldn't really get to inject myself into the process as much. their training courses are already designed and ready. I wouldn't have much say-so in what goes into them. I fear that I wouldn't enjoy it as much, since I didn't have a hand in the design.

Still I'm considering it just for the change of pace, and the chance to do something different. What do you think?

[Poll #222618]

Please give me a comment if you have additional feedback. I appreciate it!

Comments

On sharing a brain (MOM! HE'S TOUCHING ME!)

[jrjarrett.livejournal.com]

Mike, this is a no-brainer :)

You/we are unhappy with our current positions. You/we aren't able to do the stuff we REALLY like (training/coding). You/we aren't going to be there for much longer. Or if you/we are, you/we will be up on a water tower with your/our high-powered automatic weapon. :D

When you/we apply outside, your/our work history won't show that you/we have really job-hopped; you/we will have a stable history with one company, and that shows something.

So grab some enjoyment, if you can.

Brilliant!

[jaygrl.livejournal.com]

you, my friend and brother, are a nurturer and you always have an abunance of knowledge. you have an uncanny way of always getting your point across. spread the wealth baby!

You were sorely missed at my party

[garebear.livejournal.com]

Me? Give advice? You lose nothing by applying...

There's more than prestige or climbing the corporate ladder.

Happiness is a much greater commodity that you can't buy. Look at Chris and you should understand.

[alphaschnitz.livejournal.com]

In your description, you seem to list one positive then 3-4 "but"s. Seems like you might be trying to talk yourself out of applying. Your "but"s seem like some serious limitations to your creativity.