Additional Information
Many ombudsmen are former police officers, lawyers and judges. But others
come to the job from experience working as volunteers for a variety of organizations,
or working in their chosen career and then becoming an ombudsman for that
body.
Lisa Carlson, executive director for the Funeral and Memorial Societies
of America, agrees. "I think it takes some experience and aging to have a
solid footing." However, you can bolster your chances along the way by taking
courses in communication skills, mediation and conflict resolution.
"It's a cross between a good understanding of psychology and people, plus
the personality to pull it off. A good negotiator is someone who knows how
to create a win-win situation," Carlson says.
That mix also requires a certain mental resilience. "You've got to learn
not to be combative. You've got to take a non-confrontational, non-adversarial
approach in every situation you deal with," says Porter.
Many ombudsmen come from a legal background, serving as judges. Law school
is your pathway into the legal profession.