Entering into E-Learning Training and Development Field

[Anonymous]

I've worked in higher education for quite sometime doing admissions and academic advising for first year students. I've been tasked with some projects pertaining to training and development over the years and I've found it more enjoyable. (Frankly, I'm looking for a career switch. The burnout in student affairs is real.) I have a Master's Degree in Public Administration, which has actually served me well in higher education. I'm not necessarily looking for another degree, but would be willing to get a certificate if it will help. Any tips on what my steps should be? I would greatly appreciate the insight. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes, a graduate certificate in distance learning is a good first step. My cousin did that, then eventually got a masters in education with an emphasis on instructional design/distance learning. He's doing well as an in-house training designer at a Fortune 500 company.

[Anonymous]

I work for a Fortune 50 company and we are forever looking for instructional designers, so I think it is a great field and the demand is there. We are looking to change our learning delivery blend significantly with most content moving online rather than delivered in class. So our entire curriculum is due to be revamped but we can't find instructional designers anywhere and are stalled. We don't actually hire the IDs, but long term contract with them at a day rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work for a Fortune 50 company and we are forever looking for instructional designers, so I think it is a great field and the demand is there. We are looking to change our learning delivery blend significantly with most content moving online rather than delivered in class. So our entire curriculum is due to be revamped but we can't find instructional designers anywhere and are stalled. We don't actually hire the IDs, but long term contract with them at a day rate.

Yep. I had a boss tell me once that if his sales people are sitting in a room for training, they're not out selling. He wanted them to have the flexibility to do a training while waiting for a flight, on a train or in a hotel room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, a graduate certificate in distance learning is a good first step. My cousin did that, then eventually got a masters in education with an emphasis on instructional design/distance learning. He's doing well as an in-house training designer at a Fortune 500 company.

I agree that getting a grad certificate in distance/eLearning as well in Instructional design would be good first step. UMBC has a graduate certificate program in ISD and Instructional Technology, though there are other unis in the DC Metro area with similar offerings.
What are you currently doing in terms of Learning and Development at your current place of work? I ask because L&D is quite broad, and comprises several competencies : https://www.td.org/certification/atd-competency-model

I would also advise you visit the ATD website to learn more about Learning and Development, and the various opportunities available. There are free webinars and other resources available. In addition to that, you can reach out to members of local ATD chapters including ATD Washington D.C.(http://astdmetrodc.memberlodge.org) and ATD Maryland (http://maryland.astd.org/about), which has an event this Saturday - a great way to meet other L&D professionals.

If you're on LinkedIn, you can join the ATD group, E-Learning professionals group, Instructional Systems Design group, and the ATD Maryland group. Other E-Learning resources/communities are 1. https://elearningindustry.com. 2. https://community.articulate.com

I'm a Learning and Development professional with expertise in ISD and some experience with E-Learning, and would be happy to answer other enquiries you may have, or at least guide you in the right direction. By the way, if you are working in Higher Ed, you can always reach out to ISDers and Learning and Dev. professionals for more guidance and insight.

To PP (2/19/2018 12:28): I am looking for ISD opportunities in the DMV area, and would be interested in learning more about your company's Learning and Development needs. How may I get in contact with you?

[Anonymous]

Np here. Thank you, pp, for the information.

[Anonymous]

I've been in the industry for about 15 years. It's a great field to get into. I've also seen this program pick up as well:

https://gsehd.gwu.edu/programs/masters-educational-technology-leadership

[Anonymous]

Can I ask those who are in this field if you consider your job to be somewhat flexible?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can I ask those who are in this field if you consider your job to be somewhat flexible?

Yes, I've seen more and more remote Instructional Designer roles posted online.

[Anonymous]

Here is the problem with the field. No one knows what they are looking for. Some companies really just want trainers - which is an old field and doesn't need a lot of educational background.

Some people want someone who can train and do instructional design. These are entirely different skill sets, one is in front of people, one is not.

Some organizations want instructional designers who can develop e-learning entirely independently which involves a lot of graphic design and tech skills.

Some organizations want someone who can analyze and present data (e.g. tableua experts)

These are all very different skill sets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, a graduate certificate in distance learning is a good first step. My cousin did that, then eventually got a masters in education with an emphasis on instructional design/distance learning. He's doing well as an in-house training designer at a Fortune 500 company.

I agree that getting a grad certificate in distance/eLearning as well in Instructional design would be good first step. UMBC has a graduate certificate program in ISD and Instructional Technology, though there are other unis in the DC Metro area with similar offerings.
What are you currently doing in terms of Learning and Development at your current place of work? I ask because L&D is quite broad, and comprises several competencies : https://www.td.org/certification/atd-competency-model

I would also advise you visit the ATD website to learn more about Learning and Development, and the various opportunities available. There are free webinars and other resources available. In addition to that, you can reach out to members of local ATD chapters including ATD Washington D.C.(http://astdmetrodc.memberlodge.org) and ATD Maryland (http://maryland.astd.org/about), which has an event this Saturday - a great way to meet other L&D professionals.

If you're on LinkedIn, you can join the ATD group, E-Learning professionals group, Instructional Systems Design group, and the ATD Maryland group. Other E-Learning resources/communities are 1. https://elearningindustry.com. 2. https://community.articulate.com

This post kinda suggests there aren't a lot of jobs out there.
I'm a Learning and Development professional with expertise in ISD and some experience with E-Learning, and would be happy to answer other enquiries you may have, or at least guide you in the right direction. By the way, if you are working in Higher Ed, you can always reach out to ISDers and Learning and Dev. professionals for more guidance and insight.

To PP (2/19/2018 12:28): I am looking for ISD opportunities in the DMV area, and would be interested in learning more about your company's Learning and Development needs. How may I get in contact with you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, a graduate certificate in distance learning is a good first step. My cousin did that, then eventually got a masters in education with an emphasis on instructional design/distance learning. He's doing well as an in-house training designer at a Fortune 500 company.

I agree that getting a grad certificate in distance/eLearning as well in Instructional design would be good first step. UMBC has a graduate certificate program in ISD and Instructional Technology, though there are other unis in the DC Metro area with similar offerings.
What are you currently doing in terms of Learning and Development at your current place of work? I ask because L&D is quite broad, and comprises several competencies : https://www.td.org/certification/atd-competency-model

I would also advise you visit the ATD website to learn more about Learning and Development, and the various opportunities available. There are free webinars and other resources available. In addition to that, you can reach out to members of local ATD chapters including ATD Washington D.C.(http://astdmetrodc.memberlodge.org) and ATD Maryland (http://maryland.astd.org/about), which has an event this Saturday - a great way to meet other L&D professionals.

If you're on LinkedIn, you can join the ATD group, E-Learning professionals group, Instructional Systems Design group, and the ATD Maryland group. Other E-Learning resources/communities are 1. https://elearningindustry.com. 2. https://community.articulate.com

I'm a Learning and Development professional with expertise in ISD and some experience with E-Learning, and would be happy to answer other enquiries you may have, or at least guide you in the right direction. By the way, if you are working in Higher Ed, you can always reach out to ISDers and Learning and Dev. professionals for more guidance and insight.

To PP (2/19/2018 12:28): I am looking for ISD opportunities in the DMV area, and would be interested in learning more about your company's Learning and Development needs. How may I get in contact with you?

This post kinda suggests there aren't a lot of jobs out there.

[Anonymous]

This is the second post on this field in about a week. Are there concerns it will be flooded soon since the entry requirements are so low - just a certificate. I guess my concern is that there are so many adjuncts with PhDs, this seems like a great careers switch for them. Sorry OP, but they would seem more qualified since they have actual teaching and instruction experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the problem with the field. No one knows what they are looking for. Some companies really just want trainers - which is an old field and doesn't need a lot of educational background.

Some people want someone who can train and do instructional design. These are entirely different skill sets, one is in front of people, one is not.

Some organizations want instructional designers who can develop e-learning entirely independently which involves a lot of graphic design and tech skills.

Some organizations want someone who can analyze and present data (e.g. tableua experts)

These are all very different skill sets.

This. And it changes with the economy. When the economy is good there are lots of ID and content development gigs. When the economy isn’t doing well? Well, training departments got cut pretty seriously during the recession. A lot of instructional designers lost their jobs.

My masters is in iSD and I expected to spend my career developing elearning materials. But then I fell in love with software product management and have worked in that field in a specific vertical pretty much since a year after getting my degree. 20 years In, I can say that the degree was a great choice but it never took me where I expected to be and if we are being totally honest, there is better money and more opportunity doing what I do now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is the problem with the field. No one knows what they are looking for. Some companies really just want trainers - which is an old field and doesn't need a lot of educational background.

Some people want someone who can train and do instructional design. These are entirely different skill sets, one is in front of people, one is not.

Some organizations want instructional designers who can develop e-learning entirely independently which involves a lot of graphic design and tech skills.

Some organizations want someone who can analyze and present data (e.g. tableua experts)

These are all very different skill sets.

+1.