5 answers
Nalini
Student
Pune, Maharashtra, India
1
Question
Updated
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How to start a career in Instructional Design?
I am an SME in the Chemistry field and looking to switch to the Instructional Design field.
I am seeking a piece of serious advice and what are the options for jobs in this Instructional Design field.
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5 answers
Meghan Cleereman Shull
Instructional Designer
8
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Meghan’s Answer
I would agree that your experience as a SME would definitely help you transition into instructional design! I previously worked as a SME and a teacher prior to transitioning to instructional design.
The biggest difference between working as a SME and an instructional designer, in my opinion, is that rather than writing the content, you will be designing the holistic experience from start to end, ensuring that the content is best presented to meet the needs of students. This includes a lot of different processes / knowledge but comes down to understanding the learner(s) you are designing for and how to meet their needs.
If you haven’t already, I would look into instructional design theories such as ADDIE and SAM. Whilst AI is changing things up significantly in our field, many companies also expect IDs to be able to use authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline or Rise. Rise is available for free at least for a trial, so it may be helpful to start experimenting with that!
Hope that helps and all the best of luck in your transition!
Research instructional design theories such as ADDIE and SAM
Practice using AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Bard
Familiarize yourself with Storyline and other authoring tools
Practice designing your own learning content (you can even use your Chemistry lessons)
The biggest difference between working as a SME and an instructional designer, in my opinion, is that rather than writing the content, you will be designing the holistic experience from start to end, ensuring that the content is best presented to meet the needs of students. This includes a lot of different processes / knowledge but comes down to understanding the learner(s) you are designing for and how to meet their needs.
If you haven’t already, I would look into instructional design theories such as ADDIE and SAM. Whilst AI is changing things up significantly in our field, many companies also expect IDs to be able to use authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline or Rise. Rise is available for free at least for a trial, so it may be helpful to start experimenting with that!
Hope that helps and all the best of luck in your transition!
Meghan recommends the following next steps:
Yuna BUHRMAN
learning manager
3
Answers
Chandler, Arizona
Updated
Yuna’s Answer
Hello Nalini,
It's wonderful that you have already identified a career path that interests you. I would encourage you to follow the advice of the other coaches on this site. I can also offer some guidance:
1. Instructional design is a job with many hats. Your number one asset will be your ability to connect and work with people. Sometimes a client or instructor will come to you with a clear problem statement, but this will not always be the case. Learn how to listen to your customers with empathy to understand their situation, ask questions about the goal of the project and challenges. This information will set you up for success as you pursue the project. Recognize that sometimes an instructional module will not be the answer to the problem they have brought you. Also learn to work with your subject matter experts, SMEs. Have a clear "ask" for them and define the level or depth of knowledge required for your course so that they can adjust their responses accordingly.
2. There are many free materials to learn about instructional design and don't forget to become familiar with the concept of LX design - the learner's user experience as well. This one from NovoEd is good and will provide you with lots of resources you can use https://novoed.com/resources/learning-experience-design-course/
3. Take advantage of the free trial offers from authoring companies such as Articulate, Captivate, and Camtasia. Using the free accounts is a great way to learn about these software packages which are used in most instructional design projects.
4. Solid project management skills will help you immensely. If you are not already using project management tools, try ones like Trello that are free. Also take advantage of the free courses from the Project Management Institute - PMI. The better you can organize, schedule, and report on your progress the smoother your work will go.
5. Look for volunteer opportunities to practice your skills and gain some experience you can put on your profile. There are many instructional design volunteer listings on LinkedIn or even ask your school or professional associations if you can contribute.
Hope this helps and all the very best to you!
Find a free class on Udemy, NovoEd, or Coursera
Try out Articulate and Captivate using the free versions
Learn a project management software
Look for a volunteer opportunity
It's wonderful that you have already identified a career path that interests you. I would encourage you to follow the advice of the other coaches on this site. I can also offer some guidance:
1. Instructional design is a job with many hats. Your number one asset will be your ability to connect and work with people. Sometimes a client or instructor will come to you with a clear problem statement, but this will not always be the case. Learn how to listen to your customers with empathy to understand their situation, ask questions about the goal of the project and challenges. This information will set you up for success as you pursue the project. Recognize that sometimes an instructional module will not be the answer to the problem they have brought you. Also learn to work with your subject matter experts, SMEs. Have a clear "ask" for them and define the level or depth of knowledge required for your course so that they can adjust their responses accordingly.
2. There are many free materials to learn about instructional design and don't forget to become familiar with the concept of LX design - the learner's user experience as well. This one from NovoEd is good and will provide you with lots of resources you can use https://novoed.com/resources/learning-experience-design-course/
3. Take advantage of the free trial offers from authoring companies such as Articulate, Captivate, and Camtasia. Using the free accounts is a great way to learn about these software packages which are used in most instructional design projects.
4. Solid project management skills will help you immensely. If you are not already using project management tools, try ones like Trello that are free. Also take advantage of the free courses from the Project Management Institute - PMI. The better you can organize, schedule, and report on your progress the smoother your work will go.
5. Look for volunteer opportunities to practice your skills and gain some experience you can put on your profile. There are many instructional design volunteer listings on LinkedIn or even ask your school or professional associations if you can contribute.
Hope this helps and all the very best to you!
Yuna recommends the following next steps:
Angella chepchirchir
SEO, MARKETING, ANALYST , psychologist
76
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Angella’s Answer
Hello Nalini, Congratulations for making a choice to start a new career,. you are Wonderful!.
I should start by saying, starting a career is not easy as writing vowels in a kindergarten, it requires persistence, patients, trial, rejection, and the ability to try and try again, without giving up.
Here are some of the tips I will offer you.
1 find a strong foundation on instructional knowledge; Try check on which are the most important courses and skills you might require in the industry, and consider taking them. additionally, you can consider online courses from LinkedIn, You-tube and other online platforms.
Find training and internships to polish up your skills.
2. Build your portfolio; the portfolio should include your instructional design work.
3. Find mentorship from other institutions and mentors; this will add you the basics to shift into the instructional design.
4. Search for jobs
5 make interview preparations
6. Be ready to start your work as a professional instructional designer.
Finally, remember, transition is about you, be courageous to make the shift.Thank you.
Regards
Angella chepchirchir
Carreer village
I should start by saying, starting a career is not easy as writing vowels in a kindergarten, it requires persistence, patients, trial, rejection, and the ability to try and try again, without giving up.
Here are some of the tips I will offer you.
1 find a strong foundation on instructional knowledge; Try check on which are the most important courses and skills you might require in the industry, and consider taking them. additionally, you can consider online courses from LinkedIn, You-tube and other online platforms.
Find training and internships to polish up your skills.
2. Build your portfolio; the portfolio should include your instructional design work.
3. Find mentorship from other institutions and mentors; this will add you the basics to shift into the instructional design.
4. Search for jobs
5 make interview preparations
6. Be ready to start your work as a professional instructional designer.
Finally, remember, transition is about you, be courageous to make the shift.Thank you.
Regards
Angella chepchirchir
Carreer village
Thanks for your encouragement!
Nalini
Thanks for the comments.... welcome with more questions again..
Angella chepchirchir
Jessica Burke
Training Specialist
7
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Wow, switching from Chemistry to Instructional Design is quite a fascinating move! I bet you're great at drawing connections and understanding how different components come together to form a coherent whole. This is an incredibly valuable skill in the field of Instructional Design.
The world of Instructional Design offers a plethora of opportunities, both in the educational sector and the corporate world. You could become an Instructional Designer, a Content Developer, a Curriculum Developer/Manager, a Training Program or Product Manager, a UX Designer, an Instructional Editor, and so much more! As Yuna pointed out, one key skill for an Instructional Designer is the ability to manage stakeholders and projects. No matter where you end up, these additional skills will be crucial for you to thrive in your role.
As for getting started, Yuna's advice is spot on – start by exploring some free courses and trying out design software trials to get a sense of the work involved. If you find it enjoyable, you can then consider investing more time and resources. Next, I would recommend finding ways to build a portfolio. You could work on test projects, offer your services pro-bono, or even do some freelance work. This will help you prepare a solid portfolio for when you're ready to go for an interview.
Find and take free online courses (Coursera, Udemy, ATD)
Test software (Articulate, Storyline, Rise 360)
Build a portfolio
The world of Instructional Design offers a plethora of opportunities, both in the educational sector and the corporate world. You could become an Instructional Designer, a Content Developer, a Curriculum Developer/Manager, a Training Program or Product Manager, a UX Designer, an Instructional Editor, and so much more! As Yuna pointed out, one key skill for an Instructional Designer is the ability to manage stakeholders and projects. No matter where you end up, these additional skills will be crucial for you to thrive in your role.
As for getting started, Yuna's advice is spot on – start by exploring some free courses and trying out design software trials to get a sense of the work involved. If you find it enjoyable, you can then consider investing more time and resources. Next, I would recommend finding ways to build a portfolio. You could work on test projects, offer your services pro-bono, or even do some freelance work. This will help you prepare a solid portfolio for when you're ready to go for an interview.
Jessica recommends the following next steps:
Renee Mixon
Workforce Planning
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Renee’s Answer
Hi Nalini,
There are corporate instructional designers (IDs) and higher education IDs. Corporate IDs typically use Elearning authoring tools to build interactive learning. IDs meet with SMEs to discuss content and scope the work that needs to be done. New hire courses or learning to address a gap in skills are examples. Classroom training can also be designed, but corporations take advantage of Elearning the most.
Higher Education IDs meet with faculty to move content (lessons/courses) to an online environment. They can also modify existing courses in a learning management system. You may be familiar with this system if you took an online college course.
There are degree programs for instructional design. Elearning certificates are an option as well. You'll be an attractive candidate with a degree in instructional design because you'll learn design, development, and adult learning theory. I would recommend researching the universities that offer this degree.
I hope this helps and best wishes!
There are corporate instructional designers (IDs) and higher education IDs. Corporate IDs typically use Elearning authoring tools to build interactive learning. IDs meet with SMEs to discuss content and scope the work that needs to be done. New hire courses or learning to address a gap in skills are examples. Classroom training can also be designed, but corporations take advantage of Elearning the most.
Higher Education IDs meet with faculty to move content (lessons/courses) to an online environment. They can also modify existing courses in a learning management system. You may be familiar with this system if you took an online college course.
There are degree programs for instructional design. Elearning certificates are an option as well. You'll be an attractive candidate with a degree in instructional design because you'll learn design, development, and adult learning theory. I would recommend researching the universities that offer this degree.
I hope this helps and best wishes!
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Nalini
This is excellent advice! For universities, I'd like to suggest Walden University. Also, there are Instructional Design courses being offered by a lot of certified professionals in the field who are networking on LinkedIn.
Tameka Stewart