What are the best Organizational Development Specialist qualifications and training to get ahead?

What is the best training for becoming an Organizational Development Specialist? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective Organizational Development Specialist?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

Host said: What is the best training for becoming an Organizational Development Specialist? What types of ongoing training or certifications are necessary to be an effective Organizational Development Specialist?

What do non-traditional career paths look like?

Hi, sorry for the delayed response. Most required qualifications now include a Master's degree in a related field. I've (am OD Specialist) kept my SPHR (from HRCI/SHRM) certification current, which seems to give me an edge. PHR is also accepted. I've seen ads posted preferring ASTD's CPLP certification (or listing it as "desired".

Another area common to job requirements is coaching, and you can get certification from NCCP and/or ICF. Google any of that for further info. Lastly, I'm seeing eLearning instructional design skills in job listings and there's several online certification programs and online university extension courses offered.

Non-traditional career paths, to my knowledge, are mostly from employees who switch to OD in an internal promotion and bring technical skills with them. So like the high tech industry, clinical folk in healthcare fields, accountants etc. Danger there is not getting OD training thinking "anyone can do this". I've seen that mentality bring work for Labor/Employee Relations to have to fix afterwards, or even (not kidding) lawsuits by disgruntled employees who suffered as a result. That's where my SPHR is helpful, and in partnering with HR's Employee Relations (not uncommon).

Because the U.S. economy still hasn't recovered for hiring (as of Oct 09), the competition is stiff for OD right now. There's alot of external consultants currently looking to go internal and they will frequently have doctorate degrees and bring mucho experience on high level consulting projects. Good luck!

I have been marketing, recognition and award programs, managing educational training, employee and member communications and doing the data analysis for it as main parts of my job.

I think that many parts and/or elements of the job would transfer over to organizational development and employee relations/communications.

Is it possible to segue into OD with a certificate?

I was wondering what are some of current challenges in OD with new technology, complaince and changing market?

I was wondering how is the market right now for OD and employee communications?

Are there any OD masters or certificate programs that you recommend?

Any insights or information, will be greatly appreciated.

rae28 in Oak Lawn, Illinois said: I have been marketing, recognition and award programs, managing educational training, employee and member communications and doing the data analysis for it as main parts of my job.

I think that many parts and/or elements of the job would transfer over to organizational development and employee relations/communications.

Is it possible to segue into OD with a certificate?

I was wondering what are some of current challenges in OD with new technology, complaince and changing market?

I was wondering how is the market right now for OD and employee communications?

Are there any OD masters or certificate programs that you recommend?

Any insights or information, will be greatly appreciated.

There are tons of OD programs. A very common degree for OD is Industrial/Organizational Psychology. More and more individuals are graduating with I/O degrees, which prepares you for a highly specialized career in OD. I've never looked into certificats, but I have no interest in one either. I have an MS in I/O psychology and am finishing my phd right now. I'm sure you can get a certificate or go to a training somewhere, but you'll be competing for jobs with people like myself who have obtained specific education focusing on the field. A PHR/SPHR will not make you a better OD specialist. I've read the prep books and its just a certification saying you past a test. Most certificates will most likely not teach you how to develop psychometric valid instruments or how to work with large data sets or even proper research methods which is very important in most OD projects. I've worked with several OD specialist that "worked their way in" in while some of them have been pretty good most lack the skills acquired in a focused education. Check out siop.org. They have a list of schools offering programs. SIOP is the professional organization of I/O psychologist. Good luck to you!

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WITH A MASTERS DEGREE AND 11 YEARS OF CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS TEACHING ONLINE CORPORATE TRAINING DEVELOPMENT COURSES; WOULD THIS PUT ME IN LINE TO APPY FOR A OD POSITION? DO YOU KNOW OF ANY COMPANIES HIRING FOR ANY VIRTUAL POSTIIONS FOR THIS ROLE AND OR POSSIBLE LINKS THAT I COULD RESEARCH FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPURTUNITY?
THANKS
BBOWENS