Who are the more than 4,500 talent development professionals who have earned the APTD or CPTD credential? Get to know the talented and diverse community:

Mark McConnell is a Learning & Development Manager in the US. He earned the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD®) credential in 2017.

Why did you pursue the APTD?As a form of career insurance, I recently transitioned back into talent development from an adjacent field and wanted to make sure I had the credentials necessary to stay in field of my choosing.

What advice would you share with others considering certification?Look for ways to apply the knowledge you’re acquiring during the credentialing process in real time. Whether that be in your job, in your home, or in your community, looking for and applying your new skills will only benefit your motivation for earning your certification.

How do you think certification helps the talent development field?In a field where many people become accidental trainers, certification is a critical means of demonstrating formal competence when graduate education isn’t a good fit.

How did you get into the talent development field?I started my career as a software engineer, designing and deploying learning management systems. While I enjoyed working with technology, I realized that my clients were enjoying more fun and rewarding work than I was. Over the next several years, I intentionally pursued roles that brought me closer to delivering learning solutions directly to employees.

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?Fly fishing

Have you earned the APTD or CPTD? Share your story with the community.