How to become an instructional designer

Is becoming an instructional designer right for me?

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How to become an Instructional Designer

Becoming an instructional designer involves a combination of education, skills development, and practical experience. Here's a general guide:

• Education: Start by obtaining a relevant degree in fields such as instructional design, educational technology, curriculum and instruction, or a related field. Many instructional designers have a bachelor's or master's degree, although some may also pursue doctoral degrees for advanced research and academic positions.
• Technology Skills: Familiarize yourself with instructional design software, e-learning authoring tools, learning management systems (LMS), multimedia production tools, and other technology platforms used in instructional design.
• Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing your instructional design projects and expertise. Include examples of instructional materials, course modules, e-learning modules, multimedia presentations, or other relevant projects that demonstrate your skills and experience in instructional design.
• Gain Experience: Look for opportunities to gain practical experience in instructional design through internships, volunteer work, freelance projects, or entry-level positions in educational institutions, corporate training departments, e-learning companies, or government agencies. Seek out opportunities to work on real-world projects and collaborate with experienced instructional designers and educators.
• Obtain Certifications (Optional): Consider pursuing certifications in instructional design or related areas to enhance your credentials and demonstrate your expertise to employers. Certifications such as Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP), Adobe Certified Expert (ACE), or Articulate Certified Training can provide validation of your skills and knowledge in instructional design (see below).
• Apply for Jobs: Once you have acquired the necessary education, skills, and experience, start applying for instructional designer positions. Look for job openings at educational institutions, corporate training departments, e-learning companies, government agencies, or freelance platforms. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills in instructional design.
• Continuously Improve: Instructional design is a dynamic field that requires continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies and methodologies. Stay proactive in seeking out opportunities for professional development and refining your skills to remain competitive in the job market.

Certifications
There are several certifications and credentials available that can enhance the skills and credentials of an instructional designer. Here are some options:

• Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP): Offered by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), the CPLP certification is designed for professionals in talent development, including instructional designers. The certification covers a broad range of competencies related to designing, developing, and delivering effective learning solutions.
• Certified E-Learning Specialist (CeLS): Offered by the E-Learning Guild, the CeLS certification program is designed for professionals who specialize in e-learning development. The certification covers topics such as instructional design, multimedia production, authoring tools, and learning management systems.
• Adobe Certified Expert (ACE): Adobe offers certification programs for various software products, including Adobe Captivate, which is widely used for e-learning development. Becoming an Adobe Certified Expert demonstrates proficiency in using Captivate to create engaging and interactive e-learning content.
• Articulate Certified Training: Articulate, the company behind popular e-learning authoring tools like Articulate Storyline and Rise, offers a certification program for individuals who want to demonstrate their expertise in using their software. The program includes training courses and exams to validate proficiency in designing and developing e-learning content.
• Certified Online Learning Facilitator (COLF): Offered by the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), the COLF certification is designed for professionals who design and deliver online learning experiences. The certification covers topics such as instructional design, facilitation techniques, and online learning technologies.
• Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM): Offered by Training Industry, Inc., the CPTM certification is designed for professionals who manage training programs and teams, including instructional designers. The certification covers topics such as training program design, development, delivery, and evaluation.
• Certified Professional in Learning Measurement (CPLM): Offered by the Training Industry, Inc., the CPLM certification is designed for professionals who specialize in learning measurement and evaluation. The certification covers topics such as assessment design, data analysis, and reporting for learning effectiveness.