Ask learning and development (L&D) professionals how they got into training, and you will likely hear a similar answer from most of them. It’s often some variation of the following: “I got really good at doing my job and somebody asked me if I wanted to train other people to do that job.” That is often referred to as becoming an “accidental trainer.” Although it isn’t really an accident when it’s a common path to joining the profession.

Navigating the “Accidental” Career Path

Why is the career path different for trainers than, for example, accountants? While there are probably some “accidental accountants,” a much more common path would be to graduate from college with a degree in accounting and then to get a job with an accounting firm or in the accounting department of a company. Along the way, someone studying accounting is going to be in classes with other students on the same career path. They may also participate in extracurricular activities with some of them too. This is where they begin to build their networks.

The accidental trainer is sometimes a department of one that doesn’t realize, at first, that training is not only a real job, but a profession. That leaves them to learn on the job and, often, to “invent” ways to design and deliver training that may already exist.

When attending training conferences, you can usually spot these people walking around wide-eyed as they discover that they are not alone. It’s almost as if you can see a lightbulb turn on above their heads.

So, what does this have to do with building and maintaining a professional network? Building a network is a good idea for people in any profession, but it can be crucial to the success of trainers. As the people responsible for the education of others in the organization, the question that arises is “Who trains the trainer?” The simple answer is: They often have to find ways to train themselves. That is where a professional network becomes essential.

Once a trainer learns that they are not alone, they start to realize all of the resources at their disposal. However, navigating those resources and finding the relevant ones can be daunting. Once a trainer is part of a network, they can utilize it not only for new ideas or a suggestion for a book or article to read, but also to take advantage of lessons learned.

Networks can also be critical to finding a new job. The competition for jobs, especially those that are remote, has increased dramatically in recent years. Recruiters are often overwhelmed with the volume of applications that they receive. Increasingly they are also relying on artificial intelligence (AI) to sort through them looking for very specific skills or keywords. Some people apply to dozens or even hundreds of jobs without receiving an interview. Your network won’t necessarily help you land a job, but it can open the door that bypasses the dreaded applicant tracking system if one of your contacts can get your resume in front of a hiring manager.

This is a good place to discuss some good networking etiquette. In general, trainers are empathetic and want to help people. It’s a very giving profession made up of people that want to help others. This has led to many people feeling the need to continue to pay it forward. That is not an invitation to take advantage of people. Good networkers have learned one important lesson: To always look to see what you can do for someone else. Even in situations where there might not be a real opportunity to reciprocate in the moment, an offer to do so in the future will go a long way. That reciprocation might also take the form of helping others as a novice progresses to becoming an expert.

How to Begin Building Your L&D Network

Now that we have examined the benefits of having a network, how does one start to build one? Follow the ABCs:

• A= Always
• B= Be
• C = Connecting

(Credit to Alec Baldwin and Glengary Glen Ross for this inspiration.)

The first step to building a network is connecting with new people. There are several ways to meet other trainers. LinkedIn is a great place to start. There are many groups for trainers. Some are industry specific and others are more general. Searching for individuals with similar backgrounds and sending a request to connect with a note explaining why you are looking to connect can also be effective.

Attending workshops, certifications and classes puts you in the same place as other people with similar interests. Networking may be easier in person, but it can still be done virtually. The hardest part for some is often starting the conversation. While some people may not be interested in making new connections, many will be. So, if at first you don’t succeed, keep trying.

A great network is not built overnight, and taking the first steps are the hardest. But once you start, it can become addictive. You’ll want to meet more people, plus your current contacts will start to introduce you to their contacts and your network can grow exponentially. If you need a place to start, as the author of this article, I’ve shared my LinkedIn profile in my bio. Send a connection request … and don’t forget to write a note about why you are connecting.