Why did you pursue a career in the instructional design and technology field?
I started out my career as a classroom teacher, but soon found that my favorite part of the job was actually planning the lessons. I got excited about finding the right materials, scoping out units, and discovering how to present them in interesting ways. I also really enjoyed my IP&T class at BYU, where I learned to make a website and run some other cool educational technologies. And I have a strong passion for the importance of teaching and learning in effective ways to build individual capacity and personal freedom. Those things combined helped me decide that instructional technology was the right field for me. What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities in your roles? Managing course production projects, building Canvas pages, administering the LMS, managing student assistants, storyboarding content, coordinating with faculty/SMEs, ensuring course quality, ensuring course compliance with copyright and web accessibility standards, answering emails from online teachers and TAs, managing media production projects, learning new technologies, pursuing professional development. How have you found your jobs? What advice do you have for someone trying to find a job in the instructional design and technology field? I honestly feel that the biggest factor in finding a job was putting myself in the correct mindset. I knew what kind of job I wanted and at what type of institution. I did my best to remain positive throughout the job hunting process, and that positive growth mindset helped me to be recognized as someone that my current colleagues wanted to work with. My employers also said they were impressed by my professional-looking resume (after all, I was applying for a design position), my knowledge and commitment to the institution's mission and vision, and my previous experience working with faculty and designing courses similar to what I would be doing at my new job. My advice is to get as much practical experience as possible during school, to display that experience beautifully on your resume and in your portfolio, to have a clear idea of what you want, and to maintain a positive attitude throughout the job search. In what ways did your graduate program prepare you for your career? My graduate program helped give me an identity as an instructional designer. It helped me build my confidence that I can design courses, gave me language with which to talk about my experience to other professionals, and helped me have the theoretical and practical background I needed to be successful in my career. Why did you pursue a career in the instructional design and technology field?
I wanted to take classes in IP&T to improve my students experience in my undergraduate accounting courses. I think technology has disrupted how students access information and learn and I wanted to have time to "think" about innovations in higher education and what value I could add to the courses I teach. What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities in your roles? In addition to the time I spend teaching in the classroom, I develop curriculum, assessments, learning experiences, and present at conferences. How have you found your jobs? What advice do you have for someone trying to find a job in the instructional design and technology field? I don't know much about specifically getting a job in the instructional design and technology field but I would say, do good work and the work comes to you. Network, find your passion, and then share your talents. In what ways did your graduate program prepare you for your career? Collaborating in groups and working with others. The opportunity to learn from others and also being able to share my insights with others. Why did you pursue a career in the instructional design and technology field?
I am enthusiastic about education. I believe IDT will play an essential role in education. What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities in your roles? Collect course materials, organize course materials, and design courses on Canvas. In what ways did your graduate program prepare you for your career? Foundation of learning theories, research approaches, critical thinking, technology, project developing and managing, and more. Companies and Schools: Thanksgiving Point, Utah Valley University, Brigham Young University Job Titles: Exhibit Design Assistant, Content Development Intern, Experiential Studio and Online Learning Supervisor Why did you pursue a career in the instructional design and technology field?
I loved the opportunity to think about learning and design and combine my interests of multimedia, graphic design, learning theory, and service. What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities in your roles? Coordinate projects with a design team of 3. I meet with librarians and collaborate to create solutions and resources for the teaching efforts. I also manage scheduling and resource development for a collaborative space in the library. How have you found your jobs? What advice do you have for someone trying to find a job in the instructional design and technology field? I volunteered at a place until I was hired, then worked on a project which led me to another job. I would recommend talking and shadowing as many people as you can. I crossed off a lot of jobs I thought I would enjoy by asking about people's day to day work. Also, don't over stress because you can't find the specific dream job. It always works out. In what ways did your graduate program prepare you for your career? I can't remember a lot of the specific things we discussed, but going through the design process so many times really helped to develop the right instincts for design. It provided a solid foundation of ways to think and knowing what kinds of questions to ask when solving problems. Why did you pursue a career in the instructional design and technology field?
Improving productivity and effectiveness by integrating technology and psychology. What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities in your roles? Teach class, serve on committees, continue in scholarship. How have you found your jobs? What advice do you have for someone trying to find a job in the instructional design and technology field? Leverage past experience and professional network. In what ways did your graduate program prepare you for your career? Offered me new frameworks and perspective to create highly effective learning teams. Companies and Schools: Brigham Young University Job Titles: Faculty Consultant, Adjunct Faculty, BYU Online Program Administrator, Academic Product Manager, Academic Product Consultant Why did you pursue a career in the instructional design and technology field?
It is very applicable to my job responsibilities. What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities in your roles? Responsible for Independent Study and BYU Online: model course, course quality, instruction, marketing, innovation, and new academic products. How have you found your jobs? What advice do you have for someone trying to find a job in the instructional design and technology field? I applied for them. I had a lot of online teaching experience. In what ways did your graduate program prepare you for your career? I have studied and researched best practices in online learning. It has put me in a position to make better informed decisions particularly in intervention applications. Why did you pursue a career in the instructional design and technology field?
I was looking for a change in pace for my career, though I didn't really know where I wanted to end up. I knew that IP&T was a broad field and that it would open a lot of doors. What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities in your roles? Teaching class, mentoring student teachers, planning and carrying out outreach opportunities for local science teachers. How have you found your jobs? What advice do you have for someone trying to find a job in the instructional design and technology field? My jobs have mostly come from networking and talking to a lot of people. I built the relationships and when they needed someone to fill the job, they called me and asked me to apply. |
AboutLearn more about the career paths and day-to-day responsibilities of people working in the Higher Education and K-12 sectors of the IDT field! Respondents are students and alumni of the BYU IP&T program.
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