By CHRISTINA COUCH
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Before she was the coordinator of Magnet Recognition, a program sponsored by the American Nurses Association that recognizes outstanding RNs, and long before she got her Ph.D. from Capella University's online Organization and Management program, Dr. Young first learned the basics of smooth operations running her own home. Young credits her experience as a mother as the foundation for the management skills that helped her transition from heading a household to heading a prestigious, national program.
"I'm very good with the budget at work and I think that stems from the years that I was on a tight budget [at home]," she comments. "I think someone who has run a home does much better in business because they've got world experience."
If you're ready to turn your home coordination know-how into a professional career, you may want to take your cue from Young and consider a degree in organizational development and management. Dedicated to making both for- and non-profit firms run smooth as butter, organizational developers work with upper- and lower-level employees to solve issues, create common goals, develop initiatives to help reach those goals and increase the overall health of the company.
"A big part of the field is interpersonal relations, conflict resolution and learning how to motivate people," states Dr. Donald Cole, founder and president of the Organizational Development Institute, a non-profit educational association organized in 1968 to promote an understanding of the rapidly-growingrapidly growing field.
"There's a lot of work that needs to be done in helping people work more effectively with others," Cole explains.
Problem-solving, encouraging others, teaching people to get along . remind you of a play-date you hosted or a PTA meeting you coordinated? If so, you might already have a leg up in a new career. For Kari D'Ottavio, a training development facilitator for Baxa Corporation in Denver, Colo., raising a 14-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son provided a solid background for a career in administering and supervising worker training programs.
"When you're taking a look at a business, you can easily compare it to a home. The VP of finances, the executive jobs -- we're controlling all of that at home and that is a skill that transitions very easily into the workplace," she comments. "The decisions we make [in the office] impacts the bottom line, just like with your home."
D'Ottavio is currently pursuing a master's degree in organizational leadership from the University of Denver, as well as balancing raising her two children and a full-time job.
"Part of the reason I chose to go back to school is to set a good example for my kids and to show them that education is valuable and there is an ultimate reward," she states. "The other part is to gain marketability for me.
"From a business perspective, this [degree] is making me a better leader."
Effective leadership is what organizational development is all about. According to Dr. Cole, that means combining sharp management skills with an insider's knowledge of industry. In addition to your homegrown executive talents, you'll also need a thorough understanding of the industry you choose to specialize in, as well as an understanding of how and what makes businesses run seamlessly. Online degree programs such as those offered through Capella University, the University of Denver, Seton Hall University and Villanova University will augment your life experience and can be adapted into your already hectic schedule, leaving you time to run the company that matters most -- your family.
Before you kick off your new career, here are some ways you can prepare at home:
Show Off -- You know how to mobilize, motivate, and move -- so prove it! To show that you're already well versed in the art of leading, Dr. Cole recommends taking on a leadership position in the PTA, a charity organization, or with a local political campaign. Not only will the experience help you score an acceptance letter to your school of choice, it'll also boost your resume.
Get Experience -- In addition to mastering interpersonal skills, organizational developers also need to have a thorough knowledge of their area of specialization. To help jump-start your career, consider taking on a part-time internship through your school in order to really learn the ropes.
Make Connections -- Before you ever step foot into a virtual classroom, start thinking about where you'd like to work and what sort of job you'll be prepared to take on once you've got your new degree. As soon as you have an idea of where you'd like to go in your new field, make connections with potential future employers as early as possible. The earlier they know your name, the easier it will be to make the leap from student to post-grad employee.
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