Are You Looking For A Career Change? What About Instructional Designers? Does It Require A Degree?

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Many people wonder why I decided to go back to school. They ask, "What's wrong with being a dental hygienist?" After working for over fifteen years, I returned to college for a bachelor’s degree in education. I never thought I would aspire to be anything more when I entered the field of dentistry, but the truth is that becoming an educator was a natural progression; I had been one throughout my career as a hygienist, and my instruction was just in a specific realm. As with many dental hygienists, my desire to share knowledge was ingrained. I just never planned on leaving the profession.

The stories of hygienists experiencing physical health issues seemed unlikely to me. Despite practicing good ergonomic techniques, over a decade into my career, I started feeling aches and pains I had never experienced before. I realized that years of peering into patients' mouths and repetitive motions had taken a toll on my body. Dental hygienists leave the field for various reasons, including poor working conditions, tedious work, lack of benefits, and limited career advancement opportunities. However, one of the significant reasons is physical strain. I often felt like I had no choice but to leave the field, and returning to school seemed like the only option.  As many can attest, it is not easy when you are forced to decide not out of want but need. Unfortunately, even with a degree, opportunities in the field are scarce, despite what dental hygiene programs claim about opportunities outside of clinical care.

Even teaching hygiene requires additional education, and the scarcity of teaching positions is a topic for another day. Returning to school posed unforeseen challenges as universities often don't acknowledge work experience or transfer specialized courses from previous degrees. Starting over was daunting, but I persevered. When I finally graduated and began student-teaching, I thought I had found my place. However, the challenges of entering a new profession and growing disillusionment within education made me pause. Even when I had the chance to teach hygiene at a local college, reigniting my passion for dentistry, it was short-lived. I yearned to do and learn more. After all these years, I realized that my love for teaching was deeply rooted in creating engaging lessons, leading me to study for my master's in instructional technology (design).

But is it necessary to return to school for a master’s degree in this field?  I can only speak for myself, and as much as I want to say, of course not, my bachelor’s degree provided me with plenty of experience developing and teaching engaging lessons to become an influential instructional designer. I must humbly admit that my master’s degree schooling is providing profound insight into the profession and reinforcing what I will need.  Is this path for everyone? I would argue, of course not.  In fact, after reading What Does an Instructional Designer Do? Role, Skills & Salary by Devlin Peck, it can be argued that my path is unnecessary.  Undoubtedly, my path to becoming an instructional designer will be more prolonged and arduous, but I digress.  I strongly recommend reviewing his article to learn more about the path to becoming a designer outside of traditional methods. 

So, what do instructional designers do? Ask anyone in the field, and you will get a lengthy explanation of the magnitude of skills and job requirements.  Without getting too winded, an instructional designer is a person who works with shareholders, often with (sometimes without) subject matter experts, to design engaging learning experiences, often technology-based.  These individuals soundly understand educational theories in design, psychology, and implementation (project management) (Peck, 2024).

What are the responsibilities of instructional designers? It's not just about making engaging and meaningful instruction. According to Purdue University instructional designers must possess a versatile skillset to create effective learning courses and materials that meet their intended goals (Richardson, 2024, p.1). This includes a mastery of learning design and technology. Their duties involve:

- Designing instructional management systems

- Evaluating new eLearning materials

- Creating educational podcasts, videos, and content

- Designing and revamping both new and established learning models

- Implementing feedback from program reviews

- Training others on how to deliver learning materials

- Researching new innovations in learning design and education

(Richardson, 2024, p.1)

This list is incomplete but provides a concise job synopsis.  If you are unsure if this field is for you, consider reading Dr. Luke Hobson’s blog, So, You Want To Become An Instructional Designer, for insightful tips on getting started.  The reality is that I am just a novice in this field, and I learn more with each passing class, but there are plenty of experts who have written about the field and can help explain what to expect.

As for where instructional designers work, the possibilities are vast.  "They are employed in various industries, ranging from kindergarten and college to business, government, and the military” (Richardson, 2024, p. 1).

Finally, I must follow up on the level of education of instructional designers by collegiate academia.  “Given the high level of responsibilities and requirements that instructional designers are asked to facilitate, many individuals in this role hold a master’s degree; an advanced education in the subject ensures that these individuals are properly equipped to meet the rigorous demands of the field and craft lessons and curriculums that are both thorough and meet designated outcomes” (Richardson, 2024, p. 1). 

Just know that this field is ever-evolving and that opportunities are available to those with and without degrees.  The extent of how hard it may be to be hired without the given degree is something I cannot attest to, but from what I have read, it is possible.  If you want it bad enough, are savvy enough, highly motivated, and have the initiative, who am I, or anyone, to tell you not to follow your path? Blaze your way!    

References

Peck, D. (2024, January 30). What does an instructional designer do? Role, skills & salary. https://www.devlinpeck.com/content/what-does-an-instructional-designer-do

Richardson, K. E. (2024, August 23). What do instructional designers do? Purdue University College of Education. https://education.purdue.edu/2024/01/what-do-instructional-designers-do/#:~:text=Where%20Do%20They%20Work%3F,as%20part%20of%20a%20team.

Wix.com. (n.d.). Computer desktop. https://editor.wix.com/html/editor/web/renderer/edit/223966c8-e8f5-413d-b8c9-3a621747be46?metaSiteId=d070f35c-7f76-446b-8130-68dced9bd79d&referralInfo=dashboard-setup