How it started…
When I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in women’s studies, I wasn’t anticipating a career in instructional design. When I started my first job after college in merchant services, I still wasn’t anticipating a career in instructional design. In fact, I wasn’t even aware that such a field was an option.
After I mastered my job in merchant services, I started training others, which I always enjoyed. In that capacity, I discovered what I thought to be gaps in the company’s training protocol; gaps I believed could be solved by designing a whole new approach to the learning and development of the segment of the company population I served. That was the last major project I worked on before leaving that position. The work I did on that project changed the trajectory of my life.
I started small, working on technical writing projects. Then a mentor saw potential in me, so my skills grew to include eLearning development. Next came ILT, VILT, job aids, and on and on. Through all the skill acquisitions, projects, and contracts, two things remained constant: I love to learn, and I love to help others learn. To learn more about instructional design, check out this video.
View image attribution
Miha Creative. (n.d.) Person who attends online lessons on a digital screen. E-Learning education, internet lessons and online webinar. Education internet technology. [Image]. stock.adobe.com. https://stock.adobe.com/search/free?load_type=search&is_recent_search=1&search_type=recentsearch&k=learn&native_visual_search=&similar_content_id=&asset_id=484464043
How it’s going…
After years of practice in the field of instructional design, I realized something missing. Because I hadn’t received any formal credentialing or education in the field, I felt pursuing a master’s degree in Learning Design and Technology would fill in my own gaps, much like I identified the gaps in corporate training that started my instructional design career years ago. I am currently enrolled at Purdue University, where I am working towards my M.S.Ed.
Being a student again is thrilling to someone who loves to learn and loves to share learning with others. Because I also love to write (that’s another story for another day), this blog will chronicle my own learning journey through graduate school and beyond (because we never stop learning). Check back in to see how I’m doing…and what I’m learning!