For eight years in my twenties, I sold Volkswagens.

 

I was good at it but had a love-hate relationship with the discipline of sales. Then a corporate trainer quoted author Zig Ziglar to me. He said, "Stop selling. Start helping." Unknowingly at the time, his statement became my professional mission. I genuinely care that I provide the right solution to stakeholders - whether it's a VW Beetle, a two year technical education, or an eLearning program.

 

While I enjoyed my time in the automotive sector, after six years in sales and two years in management, my path evolved. I hung up my plaid sport coat and went to Providence College to complete my degree in Organizational Communication. This transformative adult learning experience paved the way for the next five fulfilling years, when I worked closely with adult students in Admissions at a technical school. Further experiencing the power of training to build esteem in others inspired me to refine my professional purpose. I earned a graduate certificate in Adult and Organizational Learning in 2013. I remain in contact with many of the students I served.  

 

Meanwhile, back in 2005, my husband started CrossTrainer®, an innovative eLearning and mixed reality development firm out of our two-bedroom apartment in Providence. Juggling school, work, and caring for our two young daughters, I simultaneously prepared for my role in the family business while the company grew to twelve employees. In 2020, I achieved an M.Ed. in eLearning and Instructional Design from Northeastern University, positioning myself to impact adult learners at the organizational level. Did I realize I was looking to scale my potential to impact adult learners at the time? No. But my education, experience, mission, and strengths are aligned that I can. 

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My background in sales has honed my skills as a learning designer. From conducting needs analysis to evaluating evidence for improvement, I've discovered that the ADDIE instructional design process bears striking resemblance to the sales process. I'm adept at persuading learners to embrace the construction of knowledge, firmly believing that visually appealing materials are pivotal in making the knowledge sale. This graduate portfolio includes links to the infographic I crafted to educate learners on the 5E Instructional Model and the Rise module I created to to instruct learning professionals on the differences between Articulate's Storyline and Rise eLearning authoring tools.

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My education in organizational communication equips me to approach learning strategically, emphasizing how content is delivered to achieve business objectives. I recognize that the right messaging and technology choices are key in implementing successful learning initiatives. I invite you to explore my L&D communication strategy page to gain deeper insights into my ability to adapt to societal and institutional changes impacting workplace learning and development. In this sample, we were addressing the manufacturing skills gap and intergenerational workforce development.

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My lifelong journey as an adult learner, serving other adult learners, growing in skill and confidence along the way, is what drives me to "sell" pedagogically sound, visually appealing learning experiences that best serve organizations and their adult learners. 

 

Because selling is helping. And when it comes to selling learning, is there any greater truth?