Feeling Stuck in Training Facilitation: How Can I Align My HR Masters with My Career Goals?

I am Neha from Delhi and am currently employed with an IT company in Hyderabad. I have completed my Masters with a specialization in HR. My profile here is in training facilitation. However, I am not into developing training modules, just their facilitation. As I have joined this place through a campus interview, I necessarily have to spend some time here in this organization. I feel I am not doing justice to my qualification with this profile.

Please suggest how I can enhance my skill set here in terms of additional qualifications. Also, what role should I attempt to get into one year henceforth? Would my current profile have any value vis-a-vis my qualification in the industry one year henceforth? What options shall be available to me?

Hi Neha,

You are still at the beginning of your career. You should not be so worried about your job profile or role. A training facilitation role is not a bad place to start with. One year henceforth, you can project yourself in an actual HR Trainer or Training Designer role. Additionally, you can always get yourself involved in other areas of HR indirectly by talking to your colleagues and getting to know how they work.

It normally takes 2-3 years before you can visualize yourself in a particular mold, so give it some time. For now, you should try to learn everything there is about your present role and also the larger areas associated with the role and how you can slowly transition from the present role to new areas of working.

Regards, Gaurang S

Neha,

The other thing you can do is take some time and think about the various roles that are available in HR and which area interests you most. You can also consider whether you wish to be an HR generalist or an HR specialist in a particular area.

Once you have thought it over, you can start working towards that goal by learning new things and acquiring new skills.

Regards,
Gaurang S

Dear Gurang,

Thank you for your response. However, there are things I would like to seek further clarity on. Although what you said makes sense, I am keen on delving into the strategizing process. Facilitation is not an area I wish to explore at this time. Could you please advise if I should pursue any additional qualifications?

Would obtaining a Masters in Labour Laws benefit me in this industry, or should I consider enrolling in a 10-month ERP program concurrently? This decision is becoming quite perplexing. I thought I had a clear direction in mind, but it seems that things are not aligning as anticipated.

Please share your insights.

Hi Neha,

If you are interested in the strategizing field, you can definitely start working on it simultaneously while fulfilling your duties of training facilitation.

As for additional qualifications, a course in ERP would be much more useful if you are looking to pursue a career in the IT sector. It is also becoming much more in demand in other sectors.

A Master of Labour Laws is a bit out of fashion at the moment. You can acquire all the necessary knowledge about labor laws by reading books and from the Cite HR forum. A Master's in HRM or something similar would be a better choice.

Hope that helps you out.

Regards,
Gaurang S

Hi Neha,

I am simply amused to find you in a fix just at the start of your job. I think first you should focus on your present job. "Coordination" and "communication" are the cornerstones of your present assignment. Focus on it. Learn from your mistakes. Try to be a perfectionist.

How did you arrive at this choice of getting into the job tasks of a "strategist"? I suggest you talk with yourself. What is your innermost desire? What are your inclinations? Do a SWOT analysis. Assess your personality and your mind. What is its makeup? Is this makeup of mind suitable for that job? This needs honest self-assessment. Do not think of the future when the present has not been perfected. Of course, planning is an essential aspect. This needs knowledge of self. Keep reading books on "theories on strategies," "labour laws," "training & development," etc. This would allow you self-assessment in totality. Then decide after two/three years.

Hi Neha,

I am really thrilled with the overwhelming responses you have been getting from our friends, which exhibits their concern towards other professionals. These are the days where you would be enlightened only when you come out with clarity of thought and your perception about goals & objectives of life and profession.

Since you are based in Hyderabad, I welcome you to join the Professional meets we hold in Hyderabad for our Cite HR members, where you would meet experts and senior professionals from varied backgrounds. Indeed, this meet will focus on many problems like the one you are facing now. In an open forum, you can express your perceptions and feelings and benefit from the discussions. Of course, I fully endorse what our other friends have said about the solution to your problem.

One such meet is scheduled to be held on 10th August '07. If you are interested, please email me at srinivaskvmk@yahoo.co.in.

Regards,
Srinivaskvmk