What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer

Are you thinking about becoming an instructional designer? You’re not alone! Instructional design is one of the fastest growing fields, but it’s also a bit confusing. Many of the best instructional designers you know of fell into the role by accident and didn’t have dreams or ambitions of designing learning experiences for a living. Other instructional designers pursued years of education to make this job a reality. The differences in how to become an instructional designer have created a need for an ID guide to help you with your career. That is exactly what you are holding in your hand.

What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming an Instructional Designer answers commonly asked questions about the field of instructional design such as:
What does an instructional designer do?
What are the pros and cons of instructional design?
What kind of instructional designer do I want to be when I grow up?
How do I build a portfolio?
How do I make connections in the field?
How do I teach myself a new skill?
How do I work with SMEs?
Is an instructional design degree right for me?
What do students actually do in a course?
How do I know if my courses are designed well?
No matter where you are at in your career, this book can help you become a successful instructional designer.