Why Instructional Design Was the Perfect Next Step

From Educator to Designer: A Natural Transition

Looking back on my career, I can see how every role I’ve taken has prepared me for this next chapter. Becoming an instructional designer wasn’t just a decision—it was the culmination of years of skills, experiences, and passions converging into something that felt like the perfect fit.

Instructional design allows me to combine my love for teaching, my creative side, and my entrepreneurial spirit into one cohesive career. It’s not just about creating courses; it’s about crafting learning experiences that empower others to grow and succeed.

Bringing Skills From the Past Into the Future

What I love about instructional design is how seamlessly it weaves together the skills I’ve built over the years. Every job I’ve had—whether it was as a certified optician, real estate agent, or teacher—gave me tools I didn’t realize I’d need until now:

• As an optician, I learned the importance of precision and personalizing solutions for individual needs.
• In real estate, I developed communication skills, learning to meet people where they are and guide them through decisions.
• As a teacher, I discovered my passion for creating lessons that resonate and engage learners.

These experiences shaped how I approach instructional design with creativity, empathy, and a focus on outcomes.

Why Instructional Design?

This field felt like a natural fit because it’s where creativity meets purpose. Instructional design isn’t just about transferring knowledge—it’s about designing experiences that make learning stick. I was drawn to this field because it allowed me to:

Create Meaningful Impact: Helping learners succeed is at the heart of
instructional design, much like teaching was for me.

Embrace Innovation: I thrive on exploring new tools, techniques, and
technologies to make learning engaging and effective.

Blend Art and Science: Designing courses requires both a creative approach
and a strategic mindset, and I love combining the two.

From Change to Clarity

While my career transitions often felt like leaps of faith, moving into instructional design felt like clarity. For the first time, I saw how my journey's twists and turns had prepared me for this step. It’s not just a job—it’s a career that aligns with my values and aspirations.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Here are some of the key lessons I’ve learned on my path to instructional design:

• No Experience Is Wasted: Every job, even the ones I outgrew, taught me something valuable that I use today.
• Follow What Excites You: I found my direction when I focused on what energized me—teaching, creating, and helping others.
• Stay Open to New Opportunities: If I hadn’t embraced change, I wouldn’t have discovered the field of instructional design or seen how perfectly it aligned with my skills.

Looking Ahead

This journey into instructional design has been deeply rewarding, and I’m excited for what’s next. In the next blog post, I’ll dive into the challenges and rewards of freelancing in this field, offering tips for those looking to take a similar path.

Finding the Perfect Fit

Instructional design is where my skills, passions, and experiences have come together. If you’re in a place of change, remember that the path forward often becomes clear when you focus on what excites and fulfills you. Trust the process, and you may just find your perfect fit, too.