Change often arrives uninvited, yet it opens doors to unexplored avenues. My journey from a high school science educator in Texas to the founder of Inventio Learning Designs, LLC, is proof of this. In the wake of COVID-19 and amidst a shifting political landscape, I embraced change, carving a new path for myself in the field of instructional design. This blog post describes my transition to instructional design, highlighting the challenges and accomplishments along the way.
The Trigger for Change:
The onset of COVID-19 dramatically altered the educational landscape. Teaching over 150 students a day without adequate safety protocols in Texas was a risk I could no longer take. Being married to an ICU nurse during the pandemic and having to see through her what impact this neglect in safety protocols state wide had on the population was eye-opening. Furthermore, as an out lesbian, the increasingly conservative tilt in school board elections and policies targeting LGBTQ+ staff and students deeply affected me. The waning sense of fulfillment in my job, coupled with these external pressures, made it clear: it was time for a change.
Discovering Instructional Design:
My discovery of instructional design was unexpected. A conversation with a fellow teacher that I played Dungeons and Dragons with online about our shared professional discontent led me to meet his wife, a former teacher turned instructional designer. Her insights and guidance about her own career transition to instructional design opened my eyes to the possibilities for me in the field. I had previously explored other options for careers to transition into, such as edtech and training facilitation, but none really interested me until I learned of instructional design. As for the friend’s wife, we are close friends even to this day. Shout out to Erin!
The Transition Journey:
The transition to instructional design came with a steep learning curve. While my teaching experience provided a strong foundation of transferable skills, if I wanted to leave the field within the year goal I set for myself, I had to quickly adapt to new technologies and methodologies. Learning video editing, mastering authoring tools, and understanding adult learning principles were just the start. It wasn’t just about skills that directly transferred, but finding out which skills I had to tweak slightly to understand new paradigms that applied in instructional design. One thing that became apparent to me is that if you want to have longevity in this field and actually be good at instructional design it takes a lot of work. No matter what some people might tell you online (often when they’re trying to sell you a course or certification) there is no shortcut to transition to instructional design. It takes time to build up these skills and understandings. Another skill that has been vitally important has been networking, particularly on LinkedIn. The platform was largely uncharted territory for someone from public education as most of our networking happens elsewhere and I honestly didn’t even have a profile until I was looking to move into education. Now several year later, LinkedIn is a part of my every day life and I am constantly in awe of the insights and connections I make on that platform.
Skill Transfer and New Challenges:
My teaching skills, such as structuring lessons and managing high-pressure situations, were invaluable in my transition to instructional design. As I mentioned before, these skills of course had to be looked at from a different lens, but the process was often very similar and familiar. It was nice to have something during my transition to instructional design that meant I wasn’t starting at 0. Leading major projects and teams in education had prepared me well for the demands of corporate work where often there are high stakes and short deadlines. In education when something has to happen often that means right now. Being able to create quality work in a high-pressure situation is a skill that frankly would benefit almost any position. However, breaking into a new field was incredibly intimidating. I started to do this while still teaching by taking on some small part time contracts that frankly didn’t pay all that well. I took these on understanding that establishing my presence and competing with an influx of professionals transitioning to instructional design was going to be challenging and I needed to start working sooner rather than later. Today this transition is even more challenging with the market being flooded with new instructional designers, coupled with the current state of the economy here in the US. Many businesses are laying off their entire L&D and Training departments and if I was still in education today, I don’t know that I would be making a transition to instructional design now. I don’t say this to discourage anyone considering this path for themselves as there is still work out there, just that it is a far more challenging landscape than it was a few years ago.
The Rewards of Perseverance:
Despite the initial hurdles, the rewards from my transition to instructional design have been vast. The satisfaction of creating impactful learning experiences that help improve the performance of employees and the businesses I work with is immensely rewarding. Professionally, I’ve thrived, developing customized eLearning solutions across various sectors. Personally, the shift has brought a healthier work-life balance and the joy of remote work. I wasn’t aware of how much teaching had affected my mental and physical health until I was out of it for a while, but suffice it to say the change has been drastic. This isn’t to say that my current job is all rainbows and sunshine, but the stressors are much more manageable for me now.
Where I Stand Today:
As the owner and Lead Instructional Designer at Inventio Learning Designs, I specialize in customized eLearning solutions across sectors like Energy, Retail, Finance, and Continuing Medical Education. My work with government entities like the Judicial System of Maryland is a testament to the versatility and impact of my skills. I plan to keep my business small and to be the sole employee of Inventio Learning Designs into the future, but I am always working on adding more skills and knowledge to my repertoire, as well as expanding my reach into more industries.
Conclusion:
My transition from teaching to instructional design has been a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and growth. It underscores the importance of aligning one’s career with personal values and highlights how change, though challenging, can lead to fulfilling new beginnings.
Are you feeling inspired to step outside the conventional career norms and carve your own path? Whether you’re considering a transition into instructional design, exploring freelance opportunities, or simply seeking advice on navigating a career change, I’m here to help. With my journey from a high school science educator to a successful instructional designer, I understand the challenges and triumphs of making a significant career shift.
If you’re looking for guidance, resources, or just a listening ear, don’t hesitate to reach out. Visit Inventio Learning Designs, LLC to learn more about my services and how I can assist you in your journey. Or, connect with me on LinkedIn to join a community of like-minded professionals who are reshaping their careers and lives.