Career Path of a Lead Learning and Development Consultant at Roc Search
Chelsea's career path evolved from an initial pursuit of law, through internships with a congressman and work at H&M, to a surprising discovery of passion for learning and development. The journey, marked by roles in sales, team leadership ("I liked sales and loved being able to support my team"), and recruitment, ultimately led Chelsea to their current position as a Lead Learning & Development Consultant, a role reflecting their evolved interests and skills.
Career Development, Sales, Recruitment, Learning and Development, Team Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Chelsea Tate
Lead Learning & Development Consultant
Roc Search
University of California, Santa Barbara
NA
International Relations & Affairs, Political Science, American Studies
Recruitment, HR & Related Professional Services, Technology
Education
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Chelsea's diverse internship experiences, including working for a congressman and in retail, highlight the value of exploring different fields to discover career interests.
2. Her transition from sales to a learning and development role showcases the transferable skills gained in sales, such as client relationship building and coaching, being valuable in other fields.
3. Chelsea's rapid promotions in recruitment and her ambition to head training within three years demonstrate the importance of career planning and goal setting, and the potential for quick advancement in a chosen field if one is ambitious and hard working
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
I am currently the lead learning and development consultant at a recruitment firm in Austin, Texas. My journey began with internships during my sophomore year of college.
After playing basketball at junior college for a year, I decided against a professional career and focused on my political science major. I initially wanted to be a lawyer, so my first internship was with a congressman in Southern California.
I then transferred to UC Santa Barbara to continue my education. While there, I worked at H&M, developing strong customer service, interpersonal, and hustle skills.
During my junior year, I attended a seminar for law school and realized it wasn't for me. This prompted a pivot in my post-college plans.
In my senior year, I took my first sales job with a house painting company. This role provided a comprehensive understanding of running a business, from identifying leads to closing deals.
I ran my own business for the first year and the second year, I managed a team, teaching them the sales process. This experience ignited my passion for learning and development. I found coaching my team and witnessing their success more fulfilling than sales alone.
After managing my team, I also gained recruitment experience. A friend working at a Los Angeles recruitment firm encouraged me to interview. I was hired and spent about two and a half years there, earning three promotions as a recruiter.
In my final year, I began exploring corporate training and supporting the LA office. I saw how my sales and recruitment background could merge with my passion for team development into a potential career path.
An opportunity arose to interview for my current company as an in-house sales trainer. I loved the company and the role's potential. My goal is to lead training for my company within three years. On my three-year anniversary, I welcomed my first teammate, which has been a rewarding culmination of my experiences.