Do you have knowledge in a particular field? Are you a Subject Matter Expert (SME)? "Are you", as Jimi Hendrix put it, "Experienced?" Then you may want to consider becoming an Instructor or Trainer. In my humble opinion, knowledge and experience are two of the best qualities of successful Trainers. Why? Because not only do they know the subject matter (have the requisite knowledge), but they also have the experience that comes from being in the "field" or using the product; or what I like to call "being in the trenches." Therefore, they can teach the subject matter and impart wisdom, anecdotes, or stories. And they can provide real-world examples to their students. There is a real difference between reading a book and learning and actually being hands-on and doing. The example I always use is driving. Sure, you can read the driving manual and take and pass the written exam and be labeled officially a "driver"; however, not until you sit behind the wheel of a car and actually drive do you become a driver. 

So do you have the requisite knowledge and experience? Well if you do, you may want to become a Certified Technical Trainer or as CompTIA calls it, a CTT+. The CompTIA CTT+ certification is a cross-industry credential that is International and Vendor-Neutral. The CompTIA CTT+ was developed to help define and establish professional standards throughout the technical training industry as well as for training professionals in industries other than Information Technology (IT). The CompTIA CTT+ certification is unique in that it can apply to any industry that provides technical or non-technical training. A major benefit of the CompTIA CTT+ Certification is that it's "Forever." In other words, the CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification is considered good for life and does not need to be renewed. This definitely beats having to spend several hundred dollars a year to recertify your credentials (as other trainer certifications mandate). 

The CompTIA CTT+ requires that you pass two "tests" in order to obtain those credentials. First, you must pass a Computer-based test (CBT) which consists of multiple choice questions (single and multiple response) and drag and drops. Once you pass the CompTIA CTT+ CBT, you then need to take the CompTIA CTT+ Train-the-Trainer class, where you create a live/video-taped demonstration of your teaching skills. A benefit of taking the CompTIA CTT+ Train the Trainer class (where you record your video presentation) is that the class can be used to prove skills for other vendor-specific Certifications such as: Microsoft Certified Trainer, Apple Certified Trainer, Certified Cisco Systems Instructor, Certified Scrum Trainer, HP Certified Instructor, IBM Certified Trainer as well as trainers for Dell, Adobe, Esri, Philips, Ricoh, et. al. Your second test consists of submitting your video (from the class) along with proof that you passed the CBT test and other paperwork. If you pass both the CBT and the "video" portion, then congratulations, you are now a Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+). You receive a Certificate and a wallet card that shows you are officially certified, that your skills have been validated, and that you can teach effectively. And you now have proof that you are an exceptional trainer in your field. So tell me, "Are You Experienced?"

Train On!

JD

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