Designing an Opportunity

A Look at Career Opportunities in Instructional Design

Introduction

As I am concluding my coursework through the EIT program at Sul Ross State University in a few short weeks, I look back on what I have learned in becoming an instructional designer. I have gained valuable knowledge in a variety of skills needed for future success through obtaining knowledge about learning theories, learning models, technology integration, assessment, designing lesson plans for enhanced learning experiences, critical thinking within education, conducting educational research, and much more. One of the more difficult parts of this program is answering the question that has been asked multiple times: what do you want to do with this degree after completing the EIT program? My immediate thoughts were to work at a university or look into corporate technology, as well as possibly joining the department of defense as an instructional designer for the US military.

Making it a Career

There are a variety of opportunities for instructional designers if looking for somewhere to begin your career. Let's take a look at some!

Business and Industry

Instructional design within business and industry focuses on creating effective and engaging learning experiences to meet the specific needs of employees and organizations. It combines instructional strategies, technology, and adult learning principles to design training programs that improve performance, enhance employee skills, and support organizational goals. “An instructional designer is foundational to quality training, learning, and employee development”, (Jones, 2023). Instructional designers are responsible for the creation of programs built to enhance employee knowledge and skills, contribute to successful orientation processes for new employees, develop compliance training programs, equip employees with knowledge of company products or services through training programs, create support tools for enhanced performance, create leadership programs for building stronger communication and decision-making, and play a part in creating learning solutions to support employees through transitional periods like organizational restructuring.

Military Education and Training

Instructional design plays a crucial role in military education and training environments, where effective instruction is vital for preparing military personnel for their roles and missions. They design and sequence learning experiences to teach new recruits fundamental military skills, discipline, physical fitness, and teamwork. “Military education and training occurs throughout the career of military members and is conducted in formal educational and training institutions and operational units”, (Bell & Reigeluth, 2014). Instructional design ensures that basic training programs are structured, effective, and aligned with the military's objectives. Instructional designers create training programs that effectively teach these technical skills. They collaborate with subject matter experts to identify learning objectives, design instructional materials, and develop assessments. They design modules and simulations that allow military personnel to practice leadership scenarios and receive feedback. Instructional design facilitates the growth of effective leaders within the military. Instructional designers utilize advanced technologies to create realistic simulations and virtual training environments. mobile devices play an essential role in training and performance support. Instructional designers develop mobile learning solutions that provide on-demand access to training materials, job aids, and reference resources. Instructional designers develop performance support tools, such as manuals, job aids, and quick reference guides, to assist military personnel in their operational tasks. It combines instructional strategies, technology, and rigorous assessment to create impactful and mission-ready training programs.

Health Care

There are significant opportunities within the healthcare industry, where effective training and education are crucial for healthcare professionals to provide quality patient care. Instructional designers develop training programs for healthcare professionals, such as nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals. They create clear, concise, and visually appealing instructional materials that help patients understand their medical conditions, treatment options, medication instructions, and self-care guidelines. They develop training modules, interactive tutorials, and simulations to guide healthcare staff on using technology platforms, entering patient data, generating reports, and leveraging technology for efficient and accurate documentation. Instructional design helps healthcare professionals leverage technology to improve workflow and patient care. Healthcare organizations must comply with various regulations, such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and patient privacy laws. Instructional designers develop compliance training programs to educate healthcare professionals on regulatory requirements, ethical standards, privacy protocols, and data security. Instructional designers contribute to the development of continuing medical education programs. They design instructional materials that educate healthcare professionals on best practices, protocols, and interventions aimed at reducing medical errors, improving patient outcomes, and promoting a culture of safety. They create scenarios, case studies, and virtual patient simulations that allow healthcare professionals to practice critical skills, decision-making, and teamwork in a realistic and controlled environment. It combines instructional strategies, healthcare expertise, and technology to create impactful training and education programs that support the delivery of safe and quality patient care. “Healthcare is an area that requires ongoing learning to update oneself constantly. It is the reason a healthcare instructional designer Is vital in the space of healthcare”, (Fernandez, 2023).

P-12 Education

Instructional design offers a range of opportunities within P-12 education, which includes preschool, elementary, middle, and high school levels. Instructional designers in P-12 education work closely with educators and administrators to develop effective learning experiences for students, as well as professional development. “Instructional Designers can create and develop effective Instructor-Led Training, blended learning, or online (live or self-paced) professional development courses while providing maximum impact in line with the organization's training and development goals”, (Billings, 2018). They create scope and sequence documents, lesson plans, learning objectives, and instructional resources that support teachers in delivering engaging and effective instruction. Instructional designers integrate technology into the learning experience by developing digital learning resources and leveraging educational technology tools. They design formative and summative assessments aligned with learning objectives, create rubrics, and develop scoring guides. Instructional designers play a role in developing instructional materials and strategies for students with diverse learning needs. Instructional design in P-12 education focuses on creating effective learning experiences, developing engaging curriculum materials, integrating technology, and supporting educators in their instructional practices. It combines pedagogical expertise, curriculum development, and educational technology to enhance student learning and promote educational excellence.

Higher Education

Much like Instructional designers in P-12 education, higher education offers opportunities where the focus is on designing and delivering effective and engaging learning experiences for college and university students, as well as with faculty and administrators to develop innovative instructional approaches and enhance the quality of education. They work with faculty to transform traditional face-to-face courses into engaging online or blended learning experiences. Instructional designers provide support and training to faculty and students in using the learning management system effectively. They assist in setting up course websites, organizing course content, and integrating technology tools within the LMS platform. Instructional designers collaborate with faculty to redesign existing courses to improve their effectiveness and student engagement. "Research shows that the better the course design, the better the assessment results for students. This is because students are able to easily identify course expectations, learning objectives and outcomes needed to be successful in the course of their selection”,(msstacymuse, 2020). They identify and evaluate emerging technologies, provide training on their use, and support faculty in incorporating technology tools, such as learning analytics, virtual reality, and interactive simulations, into their courses. They also facilitate faculty development programs focused on instructional strategies, technology integration, and innovative teaching practices. They organize workshops, seminars, and communities of practice that support faculty in enhancing their instructional skills and staying up to date with current trends in higher education. Instructional designers assist faculty in designing and implementing assessment strategies that align with learning outcomes. They conduct course evaluations, gather student feedback, and analyze data to identify areas for improvement. Instructional design in higher education focuses on enhancing the quality of teaching and learning experiences for students and supporting faculty in their instructional practices. It combines pedagogical expertise, technology integration, and assessment strategies to create learner-centered and innovative educational environments.

Gaining Experience

In my experience, I have been searching for opportunities in each of these fields as it pertains to instructional and educational design. Recently, I have interviewed for a position in higher education where I received an employment offer at a university that I have a history with and will begin work this summer. I am looking forward to this opportunity to begin my new career within education outside of the classroom, where I spent the previous 6 years. As a new instructional designer, I hope to enhance the growth of not only students and faculty alike, but for myself as I embark on this endeavor.

References

Bell, H. H., & Reigeluth, C. M. (2014). Paradigm Change in Military Education and Training. Educational Technology, 54(3), 52–57. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44430274

Billings, C. (2018, July 29). Instructional Designers Support K-12: Finding Their Niche In An Unexpected Place. ELearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/instructional-designers-support-k12-finding-niche-unexpected-place

Fernandez, L. (2023, April 3). Learn the Importance of Instructional Designers in Healthcare. Hurix Digital. https://www.hurix.com/the-vital-role-of-healthcare-instructional-designers/

Jones, R. (2023, January 11). What Does an Instructional Designer Do in Corporate Training? Www.trainingfolks.com. https://www.trainingfolks.com/blog/what-does-an-instructional-designer-do-in-corporate-training

msstacymuse. (2020, October 19). The Importance of Instructional Design in Higher Education. Instructional Design That Works. https://instructionaldesignthatworks.com/2020/10/19/the-importance-of-instructional-design-in-higher-education/