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Is instructional design ideal for introverts?
#design #instructionaldesign #instructionaldesigner
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5 answers
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Joe’s Answer
The great thing about instructional design for introverts is that there's a good amount of time spent - regardless of the specific content or medium - working independently on research, organization, drafting, designing, and editing.
The challenging thing for instructional designers who are introverts is that you need to exercise constant empathy for the learners and other stakeholders, which often involves getting outside of yourself to interview and observer your learners, pilot materials, and sell the value of your deliverables.
Given this, I have two suggestions:
(1) keep a growth mindset about your personality. Just because you may be an "introvert" doesn't mean you can't be really effective and even enjoy lots of collaborative, interpersonal work. It just takes practice and finding the right people.
(2) roles vary a ton by team and organization. As you progress in your career you get to try different things out - continuously reflect on what works for you and how you want to grow, and be very proactive and caring in how you pursue and select a role for yourself.
The challenging thing for instructional designers who are introverts is that you need to exercise constant empathy for the learners and other stakeholders, which often involves getting outside of yourself to interview and observer your learners, pilot materials, and sell the value of your deliverables.
Given this, I have two suggestions:
(1) keep a growth mindset about your personality. Just because you may be an "introvert" doesn't mean you can't be really effective and even enjoy lots of collaborative, interpersonal work. It just takes practice and finding the right people.
(2) roles vary a ton by team and organization. As you progress in your career you get to try different things out - continuously reflect on what works for you and how you want to grow, and be very proactive and caring in how you pursue and select a role for yourself.
Updated
Vaidehi’s Answer
It is mostly on developing courses from a storyboard or a script. Some companies have this role as just a course builder as a separate role and Instruction Designer as mainly a content developer who meets with the stakeholders and writes the content for the course builder. Some companies have both these tasks under one role. I would suggest to check with the hiring manager the duties of the Instruction Designer role before you get hired and make sure you are comfortable with the tasks. It depends on the company to company.
Updated
Ashleigh’s Answer
Instructional design can be a good fit for introverts. The way companies define this type of role can vary. In my current role, I'm involved in all aspects of the instructional design process - from analysis to evaluation. I work with various subject matter experts and stakeholders to understand the knowledge/skill gap driving the need for training, conduct research to confirm that need and how to best solve for the gap, organize and refine content, design/develop the training, and finally, recommend an evaluation strategy for the training deliverable(s). Some companies, on the other hand, split this process between two roles. Pay close attention to the duties listed under the job description and don't hesitate to reach out to the hiring manager for more information when looking for these types of jobs to better understand the scope of the role.
Updated
Jen’s Answer
Many instructional designers will deliver courses as well. However, there are roles where instructional designers only design the courses. You could also think about being a technical writer. These people write books and updates on technology (ie., how-to guides)
Updated
Nancy’s Answer
Instructional design can be a good fit for introverts. Instructional designers often work quietly by themselves -- especially reading, researching, writing, editing, and developing courses. They also meet and collaborate with subject matter experts and with the project stakeholders (the people requesting work from you).