Reiser discussed and covered some great steps for preparing those interested in the instructional design/technology field for preparing, and getting the right job that fits you. Job hunting during your last year of college is always different because you want to make sure you have experience (so having an internship background is always good and working for your department helps too. Also, make sure you have your cover letter, resume, references, and portfolio handy.
I've always believed in the term of marketing yourself because your endgame is to sell yourself into the desired position that suits you. Attend career fairs, and reach out to your department about job openings and job good job sites like indeed, linkedin and glassdoor. Your goal is to find a part in the instructional design/technology field that better suits you. It is always important to read the job descriptions. Also, before you go to the interview do your research on the employer and don't just answer questions, ask them too. This has helped me stand out in a few interviews. Lastly, don't forget that if you are rejected, just continue on until there is an offer. DON'T GIVE UP!
Joshua Kim did an article on job searches, due to a post made by Thomas Cavanagh about his university seeking 5 instructional designers. From that post, he decided to do a job search of those hiring in the ID field and he listed a ton of open positions. I guess that goes to show you that if you seek a job then you shall find a job.
When Joshua Kim talked about someone with a PH.D with no experience in the IT field getting hired over someone with experience in the IT field; I felt that statement because when I graduated with my undergraduate degree in Instructional Design and Technology I applied for numerous positions and all I was told was no you don't have any experience or that I needed my master's degree and project management sigma six certificate. I was frustrated, because how could I gain any skills if all I was told was no? Well, I saw a posting for a library position to be what they called a CyberNavigator, and the position consisted of you developing your own training material to teach those in need of computer basics, from operating the mouse and keyboard to creating an email address and using facebook. Well, I set off to create lessons and handouts for those who signed up to work with me and I worked with library patrons of all ages. To me, this helped me gain and further my skills of teaching and developing.
When I read job descriptions and they list all of what you need and what they prefer; I look back to my employment history and I know once I am finished with my IST MSed program at IUB, that I will be ready to begin my career in the instructional design world!
Reiser, R. A. (2012). Getting an instructional design position: Lessons from a personal history. In R. A. Reiser & J. V. Dempsey (Eds.), Trends and issues in instructional design and technology (3rd ed.) (pp. 256-262). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Kim, Joshua, (2018, March 8). Career Opportunities at the Intersection of Learning and Technology: A talent shortage?, Joshua Kim, Inside Higher Ed, https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/technology-and-learning/career-opportunities-intersection-learning-and-technology
Kim, Joshua (2018, June 6). A traditional Ph.D. does not an instructional designer make,
Inside Higher Ed, https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/blogs/technology-and-learning/traditional-phd-does-not-instructional-designer-make
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