Work-Learning Research Morphs to Hobby

March 2, 2007

Hello. This is Will Thalheimer.

Today I announce the end of Work-Learning Research as my full-time employment. After nine years of engaging my personal quixotic quest, the pragmatist inside me has ripped control from out of the crusty iron hands of the eternal optimist. To put it simply, the financial return is too meager and unreliable to sustain a sensible family.

It’s been a great journey—from the warm euphoric beginning in the summer 1998 to the harsh winter days of 2007—I’ll never regret taking that first step.

The good news is that I am not yet dead, nor are my ambitions diminished. As of today, Work-Learning Research has become a beloved hobby. I’ll work on it in the dark quiet of night, while my daughter naps, while vacuuming the dirt and debris from the floor, while listening from a distance to the voices of the radio elites. For now, I intend to keep my blog (www.willatworklearning.com) and the Work-Learning Research website (www.work-learning.com) up and running, contributing new information when I can.

My Job Search

My first priority today is to find a great job. If you know of my work and you’re willing to advocate on my behalf, I’d like your help. If you know of an organization that could leverage my talents, let me know or let them know of me. Send me an email.

Here’s what I’m looking for: A senior, high-profile position (in New England, New York, or virtually accessible) with the authority, budget, and thoughtful colleagues to think afresh about learning-and-performance challenges. I’d love a place where I can be entrepreneurial, whether in a small or large organization, building value by combining my multiple backgrounds as a learning expert, researcher, instructional designer, business strategist, manager, marketer, speaker, writer, and visionary. I want to build something that works.

In the next few months as I look for a job, I’ll be finishing research that was previously commissioned. I’ll be speaking at conferences, leading workshops, and completing my commitments to my clients. I’ll also be working to expand on a paper I’ve just written on how to maximize learning with audience response systems—and to build it into a book (a book with great potential to improve classroom learning at all levels by helping instructors use questioning strategies to support higher-level learning).

If you know me well, you’ll know that to put Work-Learning Research on the back burner has not been easy. But it’s done now, and I’m ready to engage the next challenge.

You can access my resume by clicking below.

Download Will_Thalheimer_Resume_2007.pdf

Comments

[John D Roberts]

Will,

Always enjoyed your provocative stuff. Sorry to see you downshifting, as much for what it indicates about the consulting market - the one I operate in too. Best on finding the job you're looking for. If I hear of something, I'll send it your way. Say hey to Bill Ellet next time you see him. John

[Donald H Taylor]

Will

As another enthusiastic reader of your blog, I do hope that you will be able to continue it. At the same time, I appreciate your responsibilities as a family man.

Best of luck with everything.

Don

[Ed Philipps]

I have mixed feelings on this latest development because you have put your heart and soul into the effort. At the same time the family needs are primary. We are still rooting for you.

[John]

Hi Will,

I'd be interested to read your research on audience response systems. When do you expect it to be available?