My Story
I originally learned about instructional design while working with Thanh to rebuild his coaching program. He suggested that I look into Instructional Design, which might help with improving the learning experience, making it more engaging, and entertaining.
Taking off
Two years later, I sought advice from a career counsellor because I was dissatisfied with my marketing profession. Following in-depth assessments of my previous experiences, I realized that I enjoy creating various content that assists others in learning and empowers them to grow. However, balancing marketing and education is something I often find challenging. I want my audience to focus on learning when the content is delivered to them, rather than being distracted by pop-ups urging them to subscribe. The instructional design came back to my mind and I started to discover my way into the field.
Expanding Horizons
I continued on my journey by reading instructional design books, such as Design for How People Learn and The Non-designer's Design Book. I explored adult learning theories and processes like action mapping and ADDIE. I also took instructional design courses on Linkedin.
I consumed learning and development-related podcasts and Youtube videos. I also interviewed established instructional designers to learn from their experiences.
Flying Solo
With the information I obtained from Devlin Pack Youtube Channel, I started working on my first scenarios e-learning project, Efficient Video Content Creation. The learning content is based on my own experience as a marketing assistant. I went through the entire process from action mapping to interactive prototype and full development. I gained experience with in-demand tools like Articulate Storyline, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe XD.
Breaking Through the Clouds
I completed the first draft of my portfolio which highlighted my instructional design skills and talents. I also began volunteering for a non-profit organization's instructional design team.
My journey has led me exactly to where I’m supposed to be. I landed my first role in learning experience design, and then the real work began.
Learning to Fly in Turbulence
Landing the job was one thing. Doing the job well on complex technical topics, with tight constraints, for audiences who didn't have time to spare was something else entirely.
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At Goldfin Consulting, I design learning programs for energy managers, engineers, and knowledge workers navigating the shift to more systematic, data-driven approaches to energy management. The topics aren't simple. The problems aren't always training problems. And the solutions don't always look like courses.
In the first year, I've learned to start every project by questioning the brief. Is this a knowledge gap or a capability gap? Is learning even the right intervention? What does behavior change actually look like in this context and what's standing in the way?
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That shift from designer to strategist is the most significant thing my first year in this field taught me.
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I now work across a portfolio of programs that range from modular self-paced courses to facilitated workshops to game-based simulations. The thread connecting all of them is a clear line from the business need to what learners actually leave being able to do.
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I'm a Learning Strategist. I still design. But I design with the problem and the outcome in front of me at all times.
