Networking is key to Instructional Design Professionals

As part of my Trends and Careers in Instructional Technology course, my professor organized a guest panel featuring four accomplished instructional design professionals. The panel discussed the sectors in which they have worked and the importance of building and maintaining a PLN (professional learning network). As an aspiring ID professional with one year left until graduation, I was eager to learn from their firsthand experiences. Let’s explore these panelists and my key takeaways.

Dr. HK is a consultant, podcaster, and former English professor. Her networking journey began while pursuing her PhD when she joined various free instructional design (ID) communities. One of her first roles as an ID professional was with NASA, followed by positions in employee onboarding and customer education for technology companies. After her leadership group was let go in 2023, she started consulting as a contractor and found it successful enough to pursue exclusively. Dr. HK states, “My professional networks have determined the course of my career because I’ve allowed them to. When you start saying yes to things that excite you and align with your passions, opportunities begin to unfold, guiding you in the direction you’re meant to go” (H. Kirby, personal communication, February 6, 2025).

Dr. HK utilized her early networks, such as TLDC, to connect with individuals transitioning into the learning and design field who aimed to work in the corporate sector. It consisted of educators eager to support one another, highlighting the significance of building connections for professional growth. Dr. HK made a particularly impactful statement: "As you move forward, don’t forget to reach back and help others" (H. Kirby, personal communication, February 6, 2025). This embodies the pay-it-forward movement, emphasizing the importance of humility and giving back to the community.

Dr. NP is a senior research scientist at Amazon and was previously a professor at the University of Hawaii, focusing on online teaching and learning programs. Initially, she intended to become an English professor but later discovered the instructional design (ID) field and found work in the corporate sector. Like the other panelists, she uses LinkedIn as a networking tool. However, she also engages with her former university, where current ID students and alumni meet several times yearly to discuss the field and attend larger ID conferences. Additionally, she participates in a PhD Mama group, which helps moms from various academic disciplines to share and network. She strongly recommends connecting with a diverse learning community.

Dr. NP's extensive network extends beyond her field, and her connections with other PhDs open opportunities she might not have discovered otherwise. It broadens her perspective and allows her to gain valuable insights from individuals within and outside her discipline, which she can apply to her work. I learned from Dr. NP that success is rooted in the people you know and the knowledge you acquire through your learning networks.

Dr. RFA is a senior director of credentials at Digital Promise, a non-profit organization, and her former career as a K-12 educator provided limited opportunities. While pursuing her doctoral degree, she began networking by participating in AACT and AERA, joining identity-related communities on Facebook and LinkedIn. She was always willing to take on instructional design opportunities, whether co-authoring papers or assisting with projects to strengthen her portfolio. Dr. RFA emphasizes, “Networks are really important, especially today, where it is tough to get a job just by applying without knowing someone or having someone know you. Unless the applicant pool is small, the chances of getting an interview are quite challenging” (R. Fennelly-Atkinson, personal communication, February 6, 2025).

Dr. RFA candidly discusses the challenges of the current job market. Finding and securing opportunities to showcase skills to employers is becoming increasingly difficult. This reality highlights the importance of creating a PLN to help open closed doors. Many newcomers in the ID field face heightened frustration when searching for work, underscoring the need to make these vital connections.

Dr. LH is MIT's Assistant Instructional Design Director and a professor at the University of Miami's School of Education and Human Development. He is also an influencer, author, YouTuber, and podcaster. He considers networking and connecting with others in the field essential for his professional development and career success. One significant learning community he engaged with was the Facebook group "Instructional Designers in Higher Education," which has now been rebranded as "Instructional Designers in Education" (P. Muljana, personal communication, February 6, 2025). There, he met my current professor. Additionally, he expanded his network on LinkedIn, where he developed his influence and further grew his learning community.

One key lesson I took away from Dr. LH is the importance of ongoing collaboration and learning from peers in the instructional design community. He emphasizes the value of finding people you can talk to, stating, “It’s crucial and invaluable to be able to express your thoughts and feelings, and these individuals can offer their support” (L. Hobson, personal communication, February 6, 2025). In other words, personal growth requires connections with those who truly understand you, providing a listening ear and a helping hand. Networking with the right people can create opportunities for growth, knowledge, and a supportive environment. Let’s face it: we all need support, and I believe you can never have too much of it.

PLNs are valuable resources for sharing, receiving, and acquiring essential information and experiences within one's field. They provide the people, spaces, and tools necessary to support individual needs, interests, and goals (Trust, Carpenter, & Krutka, 2021, p. 1). Engagement in a PLN can fluctuate based on current professional needs, but it is vital for instructional designers (IDs). The demanding job market and the importance of having the right skills, credentials, and connections to build a successful career path. Navigating this landscape can be challenging, but the panel highlighted that identifying new opportunities occurs within the right network. When these opportunities arise, it is crucial to seize them.

Reference

Trust, T., Carpenter, J. P., & Krutka, D. G. (2021). Professional learning networks. In EdTechnica: The open encyclopedia of educational technology. https://doi.org/10.59668/371.8846Links to an external site.