The Organizational Development Professional

Assignment 2: Discussion—The Organizational Development Professional

Organizational Development (OD) professionals implement and oversee programs that increase efficiency, strengthen employee knowledge and abilities, improve leadership, and maintain the overall health of a company. Often, they engage in work with top executives of the organization in diagnosing problems and setting company goals. One of the most important responsibilities of the organizational development (OD) professional is to help employees adjust to organizational changes.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor (2012) predicts faster-than-average job growth for human resource occupations, including training and development professions such as organizational development (OD).

Explore employment opportunities and careers for organizational development (OD) professionals. On the basis of your research, respond to the following:

• List three to five job titles for organizational development (OD) professionals.
• Find three to five industries offering positions for organizational development (OD) professionals and cite relevant job postings.
• Select the job that most interests you and describe the essential job functions and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs).
• Discuss how you might be qualified (or become qualified) to apply for the job.

Write your initial response in approximately 400 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Submission Details:

• By Saturday, May 9, 2015, post your responses to this Discussion Area.
• Through Wednesday, May 13, 2015, respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. While responding, identify the similarities and differences between what you and your classmates have posted. Consider the following in your response:
• Pose a question to your classmate.
• Make an observation about the content of your classmate’s response.
• Comment on an idea or a concept.
• Highlight an experience or insight gained from reading the classmate’s response.

Reference:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor (2012) Human resources
           specialists. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012–13 Edition.
           Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/