FREQUENT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

The Diversity Trainer Profession

How do I know if Diversity Training is for me?

Most people know when they want to be a diversity trainer. Some choose to do it full time while others prefer to do it as a part time profession. Below is a list of question you can ask yourself to find out if the profession is suitable for you:

• _Do I care enough about achieving a society in which everyone feels included and reduced intergroup tension?
• _Am I willing to confront my own prejudices and personal challenges to become an effective diversity trainer?
• _Do I have a special calling or inner sparks that make me believe I will be good as a diversity trainer?
• _Can I treat others with respect and equally even if they have beliefs that are against my own? Am I willing to learn how to treat others with respect and equally?
• _Am I willing to be trained to acquire the competencies needed to become a diversity trainer?
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  What does one have to do to become a trainer and be successful at it?

  The answer to this question comes from our experience which amounts collectively to over 35 years:

• The demand for diversity has increased with Clinton's Race Initiative efforts and recent multimillion sexual harassment and unfair employment practice dollar lawsuits.
• Large companies, educational institutions, and city governments are developing their own diversity departments.
• Diversity trainers receive from $100/hour to $2000/day or more for services.
• Only good training can assure the level of success and happiness needed to be an effective diversity trainer.
• Diversity training is one of the most rewarding consulting professions when convenience, flexibility, and profit are considered.
• Virtually anyone who can work on personal diversity-related issues while developing skills can become an effective diversity trainer.

  Well-trained diversity trainers compete better in the business because they have the credentials and the know how to land the profitable contracts. Their competence increases the likelihood that a company, organization, or individual will use, extend, and refer others to their service. You should not call yourself a professional diversity trainer without proper credentials. A Ph.D. in psychology is insufficient. A few occasional workshops may help, but a concentrated program under expert supervision in the early stages of oneÆs career is critical. The client deserves it. Theprofession deserves it, and you deserve it. Being a professional means you have received proper training and met minimum competency criteria.

  What qualities do I need to be a successful diversity trainer?

  Many people are not equipped to become a diversity trainer, for a variety of reasons. It is not certain what characteristics identify the best diversity trainees. We can safely say from experience that many existing trainers are ill-prepared due to poor training. We have experienced this in workshops whiling continuing our own education. Many trainers use exercises that get participants worked up around diversity issues, but cannot manage the tension and anger their workshops generate. The following is a list of qualities we use in our admissions process at DTUI:

• Commitment is an important characteristic. The individual who can express their commitment with examples from life experience.
• Demonstrated ability. Many people attracted to diversity training indicate that others see them as superior in their ability to attract people of different racial and ethnic groups.
• Willingness to be misunderstood by those who are less insightful or uncommitted to diversity.
• Capable of gaining insight into personal biases and challenging oneself to overcome them for the purpose of effective diversity training.
• Unconditional equal treatment of people within one's recognized limitation.
• Empathy for others, even those who have different values and beliefs is the hallmark of diversity trainer characteristics from DTUI's perspective.

  If you have these characteristics, you are well ahead of most people. We do not necessarily expect people to have these skills before entering the program. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE CAPACITY TO LEARN THE SKILLS, HAVE DEMONSTRATED IT TO YOURSELF, AND YOU ARE WILLING TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO DO BECOME COMPETENT. These are the people we seek to attract. We believe the qualities can be learned, but it is up to the individual to commit to the work needed to acquire the characteristics.

  What are the benefits of being a diversity trainer?

  A list of just some benefits is provided below:

• You work with people.
• You have expertise others are willing to pay for.
• You can choose to limit your clients (e.g., business, educational institutions, or community organizations) or you can choose to work with a variety of clients.
• You can make enough money to have a 5 to 12 week vacations each year.
• You can choose to become a specialist in your company with few competitors.
• You get paid for work you have created and administer.
• You will become a member of a community of diversity trainers.
• You get the satisfaction of helping people solve challenging problems.
• You can start your training with or without experience.
• You work with people who appreciate your talents enough to pay you for your time
• You can help those who feel incompetent acquire the skills needed to work effectively with people who are different from themselves.
• You learn the secrets of helping people and organizations become inclusive.
• Your overhead is low compared to other types of businesses.
• You can choose to specialize in an area that is most satisfying and productive.
• You have an organization to direct you in the acquisition of clients.
• Sign-up for DTUI training and join the diversity training profession.

    Can you be a part time diversity trainer?

  The answer is yes. Many diversity trainers have full time jobs in business, community organization, and educational settings. It is common for them to conduct workshops or consult two to three times a month. This is a delightful way to supplement oneÆs salary given that the pay one receives for diversity training. Others choose to work with a group of other diversity trainers. They work together in marketing their business and partnering in workshop development and delivery. Expanding oneÆs practice requires a marketing strategy, networking, and putting aside the time to work on it. Individuals put limits on themselves in diversity training work. The more you develop your skills and market yourself, the more successful you will be.

  Is it really possible to make a living as a diversity trainer?

  Not everyone is going to make the six figure salaries like the diversity trainers working for highly successful companies. However, those with proper training, certification, and a good marketing plan can develop a good practice. If you desire a diversity training practice and run your practice as a business, you can make a living at it.

  Where do you find clients?

  One diversity trainer said that he simply had some brochures made, bought a mailing list, and received more work than he could handle alone. This is not true for everyone, but it does suggest that many potential clients exist. DTUI teaches trainees marketing strategies that have proven successful for trainers and other professionals. Networking with friends and family is a good way to find clients. Once they realize that you have the skills, your name will come up in their business and organizational meetings where someone will undoubtedly mention diversity.

  Most people would prefer to hire someone they know or someone an acquaintance knows in the consulting business. However, nothing beats being an expert. Find your diversity training specialty, such as conflict resolution or gender issues, and market it. Give talks and free demonstrations to attract clients when you first start out. Work with those who are successful and need expert help as much as possible. It is also a good strategy to go to conferences where you give workshops and presentations. Make certain that you attend the workshop sessions of others at conferences. Take a lot of business cards. You will meet people and learn a few more tricks of the trade. Do not let worrying about gathering clients hinder you from acquiring the skills. Get more information, rather than let initial fears prevent you from moving forward.

  How long does it take to start a diversity training practice?

  You could realistically have your first couple client in the first three months after implementing your marketing strategy. It is common for diversity trainers new to the field to give away some of their services to either non profit organizations or businesses. This provides opportunities to develop their skills and build a reputation. It will take a couple of years to make a diversity business into a viable full time practice. It may take up to five years to make a six-figure salary.

  If you are already a consultant and you are adding a diversity training specialty, it could take you much less time. Some people will develop the specialty for job-related purposes. Depending on the company's needs, the individual can become an indispensable resource within a year of receiving the training. Of course, how successful you are depend on achieving the DTUI competencies, investing time, and being motivated to succeed.

  How Much Education Does One Need to Begin DTUI Training?

  Most diversity trainers have an undergraduate or advanced degree. However, our experience has shown that amount of education does not relate to diversity training ability. The most effective trainers are those with the knowledge, skills, and personal growth needed to manage diversity. These competencies can be taught to a bright person high school graduate with a couple of years of work experience. Your clients will not be buying a degree. They want people with the credentials to help them solve their diversity-related problems. One needs to keep in mind, however, that most clients will have at least one degree.

   What are some problems diversity trainers face?

  DTUI trainees develop the emotional control, insight, intellect, and professional resolve challenging intercultural conflicts. It is very important for trainees to work on their personal growth in order to command the professionalism needed when the audience is volatile. Mandatory diversity training can challenge the trainer's ability to keep an audience captive. This is especially true when one or more participants challenge the trainer's abilities or allegiance.

  DTUI training is superior to others because it offers trainees insights and skills for maintaining professionalism under a variety of conditions. Clients will appreciate the DTUI graduate's ability to stay focus, achieve goals, and receive good evaluations from participants under adverse conditions. You do not have to choose to work under such conditions. In fact, they are not for every diversity trainer. DTUI helps to assess an organization's needs given your talents. It is likely that participants will challenge the trainer even with the best of assessment. So, it is pleasing to know that you will have an opportunity to acquire the skills that will prepare you to deal with the unexpected.

  GO TO:

  Q&A: What is Diversity Training?

  Q&A: A Historical View of Diversity Training?

  Q&A: How Strong is the Demand for Diversity Trainers?

  Q&A: The Diversity Trainer Profession

  Q&A: The DTUI Training Program