Additional Information
There isn't just one well-worn path toward a career in software training.
"I think software training is a field that a lot of people get into from
different angles," says software trainer James Martin. "It's not like you
start off when you're six and want to be a software trainer.
"If your interests involve writing and pretty much anything having to do
with web development or computing, then one nice thing about software training
is that it sort of combines those."
Martin has a master's degree in English. He also has a master's degree
in educational technology. He says educational technology is an especially
useful field of study for aspiring software trainers.
It's not important exactly what type of diploma you have hanging on your
wall, however. If you have the knowledge and ability, you can find employment
as a software trainer. Any courses related to information technology and education
are useful for software trainers.
"You could swing it a lot of different ways," says Martin. "If you had
sufficient IT knowledge that you could demonstrate... and you can communicate
well, those are the two basic requirements."
Software trainer Michael Shumko agrees. "In my opinion and experience with
other trainers, no specific training is required," he says.
"It's not like being a 'real' teacher, which requires proper accreditation.
This is not to say that instructional training would not be very helpful,
only that it is not a job requirement."
Shumko's interest in science and computers prompted him to study computer
science in college. He then worked as a programmer analyst for a big company
before becoming a software trainer.
You can earn certification from software companies such as Microsoft if
you want to focus on teaching particular software programs.
"The privileged thing would be to have a master's degree in something education
related. So the M.Ed. in educational technology is the easiest way into this
field," says Martin.
"And [there are] a lot of other related fields like technical writing,
technical communication -- those sorts of things. A computer science undergraduate
degree would [also] do it."
You're more likely to need a degree if you want to work in a college or
university setting. If you want to work as an independent trainer/consultant,
you can build a career based on your self-taught knowledge and teaching ability.
"Schools that teach software want the most educated person they can find,"
says software trainer Kathryn Kroll.
"To schools, a bachelor's or master's degree is good. But these college-trained
instructors do not have the real-world working experience that I do. I use
the software every day, all day, and I know what it can and can't do."