How to Enter the Learning & Development with Only Teaching Experience, or No Experience
Breaking into the Learning & Development (L&D) field can seem intimidating, especially if your background is in teaching or you have no formal experience in corporate training. But here’s the good news: TEACHING gives you an incredible HEAD START. In fact, many professionals in L&D started exactly where you are now (like myself, I am now the ID Manager of a dialysis admissions branch after teaching for 7 years!).
If you’re wondering how to make the leap, this blog is for you. We’ll walk through the skills you already have, where to gain the ones you need, how to position yourself for corporate roles, and what to expect during the transition.
Why L&D is a Natural Next Step for Teachers
More and more teachers are transitioning from classrooms to corporate learning. Between 2020 and 2022, nearly 300,000 teachers left the profession. Many cited burnout, understaffing, and the search for better work-life balance.
Meanwhile, the corporate training market is booming. It’s projected to grow by over $46 billion globally by 2026, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11% growth in instructional design and coordinator roles. This combination has opened up new opportunities for educators ready to pivot into a different kind of teaching; one that values flexibility, creativity, and impact.
Transferable Skills That Make You L&D-Ready
You don’t need a corporate background to be effective in L&D. In fact, your teaching experience gives you a strong foundation. Here’s how:
Instructional Design: You've built lesson plans with clear objectives for diverse learners, that's the heart of designing corporate training programs.
Facilitation: You know how to lead a room, whether it’s a class of third graders or a professional workshop.
Project Management: Teachers juggle multiple responsibilities, deadlines, and stakeholders, much like L&D professionals managing training initiatives.
Learning Theory: Concepts like scaffolding, repetition, and assessment translate directly into effective adult learning strategies.
Communication: Whether it’s simplifying complex ideas or giving feedback, your communication skills are ready-made for L&D.
Adaptability: You’ve adjusted lessons on the fly. That kind of agility is gold in corporate settings.
Entry Points into L&D When You Don’t Have the Title Yet
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to start from scratch. There are several entry-level roles that welcome career changers:
L&D Coordinator or Administrator: Supports training logistics and programs
Corporate Trainer: Delivers learning sessions, both in-person and virtual
Training Specialist: Designs and facilitates sessions, often for onboarding
Instructional Design Assistant: Helps create content under senior designers
Also, look for chances to train others in your current role. If you’re good at your job, volunteer to train new hires or mentor colleagues. It’s a great way to build experience and get comfortable with workplace training.
When applying, use corporate language to describe your teaching experience:
"Lesson planning" becomes "Learning design"
"Classroom management" becomes "Group facilitation"
"Assessments" becomes "Learner evaluation"
Building the Right Skill Set for Corporate L&D
There are a few areas where L&D diverges from teaching, and developing skills in these will make you a stronger candidate:
Business Acumen: Know how training aligns with business goals and performance metrics
Learning Technology: Get familiar with tools like Articulate Storyline, Rise, Camtasia, and various LMS platforms
Consulting and Strategy: L&D professionals often act as advisors, diagnosing learning needs and recommending solutions
Data Literacy: Be prepared to analyze feedback and results, and tie learning outcomes to measurable success
Recommended Certifications
Certifications aren’t required, but they can help show initiative and fill knowledge gaps:
APTD or CPTD (from ATD): Focused on talent development
PMP (Project Management Professional): For leading training projects
SHRM-CP: For L&D roles connected to HR
Creating a Portfolio Without a Corporate Job Yet
Your portfolio is your calling card. Even if you’ve never worked in L&D formally, you can still build a strong one:
Volunteer Projects: Offer to build training for a local nonprofit, small business, or friend’s workplace.
Mock Projects: Use sites like eLearning Heroes or GoDesignSomething to respond to design briefs.
Pro Bono Work: Organizations like LINGOs match volunteers with global nonprofits.
Repurpose Teaching Materials: Turn a lesson plan into an interactive eLearning module (scrub any identifying info).
What to Include
2–3 polished projects that showcase a range of skills
You want to focus on 5 different skills to start:
Audio
Video
Job Aides
Presentations
Authorized Courses
Case studies explaining your process and outcomes
Clean, intuitive design and navigation
Finding Jobs and Building Your Network
You don’t need to go it alone. The L&D field is full of generous, curious professionals who love helping others.
Where to Look
General job boards: LinkedIn, Indeed,
L&D-specific: ATD Job Bank, Learning Guild, Training Industry
Who to Connect With
Follow the Rule of Thirds:
One-third: People in your desired role
One-third: People further along (potential mentors or hiring managers)
One-third: People who inspire or support you
Join industry groups like:
Association for Talent Development (ATD)
Learning Guild
Local SHRM chapters
And when applying, tailor your resume using L&D keywords and focus your cover letter on how you’ll bring value; not just what you’ve done.
Common Challenges (and How to Navigate Them)
No formal experience?
Talk about your learning agility and skills you do have, and do not broadcast or over explain. Be confident, speak as if you are already a L&D Pro, and always remember:
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."
Worried about salary?
Many teachers take a small pay cut initially, but see significant growth within 1–2 years.
Feeling unsure of yourself?
Start small: build one project, talk to one person, apply to one job. Confidence builds with momentum.
Need support?
Find a mentor (hit me up at evanpressmanbackup@gmail.com). Join an online L&D group. Follow L&D voices on LinkedIn. You’re not alone.
A Realistic Timeline for Transitioning
3–6 Months: Preparation
Take online courses
Build 1–2 portfolio projects
Start networking and conducting informational interviews
3–6 Months: Active Job Search
Apply to entry-level roles
Keep refining your portfolio
Stay connected with your growing network
6–12 Months: Career Establishment
Land your first role
Get real-world experience
Begin to identify a specialization
Final Thoughts: Why Your Background Is Your Advantage
You don’t need to hide your teaching experience… HIGHLIGHT IT. The L&D field thrives on people who understand how adults learn, who know how to communicate clearly, and who care deeply about helping others grow. That’s you.
Start by mapping your skills, learning the tools, building a small portfolio, and making a few connections. From there, it’s all about momentum. With time and intention, this field is absolutely within reach.
FAQ: Common Questions About Transitioning into L&D
1. Do I need a degree or formal certification to get started in L&D?
Not necessarily. Many professionals enter the field with strong portfolios and hands-on skills instead of certifications. That said, a credential can boost your credibility if you’re making a big pivot.
2. What tools or software should I learn to be competitive?
Start with Articulate Storyline, Rise, and a basic LMS. Camtasia or iSpring can help with video and interactivity. Pick one tool at a time and get comfortable.
3. How can I get experience if no one will hire me without experience?
Create your own experience: volunteer, build mock-ups, or convert old lessons. Experience doesn’t need to be paid; it needs to be relevant and demonstrable.
4. Is instructional design the only role in L&D worth pursuing?
Not at all. Corporate training, learning strategy, facilitation, content development, and learning technology are all great paths depending on your strengths.
5. What if I’m not comfortable with technology?
That’s okay! L&D has room for growth. Many teachers learn the tech as they go. Focus on learning one platform, and build your confidence from there.
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