Networking Tips for Instructional Designers
Whether you’re a current instructional designer or looking to make a career move into the field, networking is essential, as this will help you follow industry trends, keep up with changes in educational technology, and collaborate with others in the field.
Here are some tips to keep you connected!
Leverage Social Media Networking
The easiest way to network as an instructional designer is to make effective use of social media. The first step in this process is to establish your online presence. You can do this by building up your LinkedIn profile and making connections with current colleagues, past coworkers, industry professionals, or even friends. Remember that you do not need to personally know someone to connect on Linkedin. Also, be sure to keep your credentials up to date and current, adding any badges or certificates you may have earned along the way. You can also start a YouTube channel or create a Twitter/X account and build your network on these platforms. This short brings up some great points as well.
Once you have established your online presence, it’s time to interact with your community. When you engage with content from others in your network, they are likely to do the same for you and your content. This can be as simple as liking, re-posting, or commenting. Be sure to continue to interact after your initial engagement. According to Algorithm Insights 2024, “Don’t Post and Ghost. Stick around and mingle.” These interactions will allow you to not only make a name for yourself in the ID community, but can also help you keep up with what’s happening in the industry.
Join Professional Organizations
Another step you can take is to join professional organizations for instructional designers and those in the educational technology community. This will give you access to information on upcoming conferences, webinars, or other general professional resources. Consider joining organizations like the Florida Instructional Design Network, Society for Applied Learning and Technology, and Educause. Even if you’re not ready to attend or present at an event, these organizations can provide helpful, often free, resources for you to use. Your employer may even be able to cover the cost of professional memberships.
Network at Conferences, Events, and Webinars
Industry events are a great way to begin networking with other instructional design professionals. Attending these events can also help you learn about new technology and changes to the programs you use or even expose you to new job opportunities. It is important to actively engage at these events. If you’re new to the field, it can be enough to just join discussions and ask meaningful questions. As you advance in your field, consider presenting on tools you use, best practices you employ, or industry insights you may have.
Further Your Training to Further Your Career
Instructional designers are, at their core, learners. To this end, make sure to continue your training and education. You may be interested in pursuing an MSIDT to make yourself much more competitive and relevant in the job market, or you can do shorter and lower-stakes certificates, badges, or even complete individual courses. Be sure to add these to your LinkedIn when you have finished and share them with your network.
No matter where you are in your ID journey, a seasoned professional or a newbie just starting out, networking can help you stay connected and up to date in your field.
Interested in pursuing your MSIDT degree? Contact Dr. George Hanshaw, Assistant Dean of the MSIDT program, with any questions.
Email: msidt@lapu.edu | Call or Text: (626) 268-0304
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