Since the pandemic, the vast expansion of digital learning has raised the demand for skilled instructional designers in many sectors, including K–12, higher education, and corporate training. Nowadays, the average annual pay for an Instructional Designer in the United States is $74,620, with a high potential for growth.
As the field of instructional design becomes increasingly acknowledged, and the academic landscape continues to change, it is becoming a vital and exciting career option to consider for educators and thought leaders.
Below, we’ll unpack the benefits of pursuing a career in instructional design and highlight how programs like Goodwin University give graduates the knowledge and abilities necessary to innovate, impact, and advance in this field.
What is instructional design?
An educational career in instructional design provides the chance to influence learning and development in various industries, whether your goal is to improve learning outcomes in conventional classrooms or promote employee development in corporate environments.
Utilizing the mastery of educational technologies gained in an instructional design training program, graduates can build successful and interesting learning experiences for their students. Instructional designers must thoroughly understand best practices, educational theories, and design principles to bring the best to students.
Learn how to become an instructional designer through Goodwin University.
Instructional design career paths
Instructional design is a flexible and fulfilling career path with advantages for various professionals, including Pre–K–12 educators, instructors in higher education, professional development coaches, and training and development specialists.
Pre-K-12 educators
An instructional design certificate program allows teachers in grades pre-K—12 to use their experience by creating educational content alongside their current teaching abilities and skills. There are many opportunities for professional advancement in secondary school, including routes into educational consulting and curriculum design.
This area also allows for creative freedom, empowering educators to create unique learning opportunities. Instructional design frequently offers flexibility; remote work and flexible scheduling are typical, promoting a better work-life balance.
Higher education instructors
For educators in higher education, instructional design is a very attractive career option. Because educators can leverage their subject-matter experience to produce customized educational content, their expertise has a more significant impact. This training offers professional diversity by creating pathways into administrative positions, online course development, and educational technology.
By incorporating cutting-edge pedagogy and technology into curriculum design, instructional design encourages creative teaching. In addition to offering opportunities for independent project work and consulting, instructional design fosters a sense of professional autonomy, extending the reach of instructors and allowing them to impact a diverse range of students globally through online education platforms.
Professional development coaches
Professional development coaches can also benefit from some training in instructional design. Coaches learn to create organized training materials and programs that improve their coaching and increase the efficacy of their training. New avenues for corporate training and talent development also enhance their employment prospects.
Since coaching frequently offers remote or freelance work alternatives, additional training allows for more flexibility and employment options. Coaches can also use instructional design to create scalable professional development solutions, touching a larger audience and increasing their effect.
Training and development professionals
Instructional design is a strategic career path for individuals in training and development. Training professionals can confidently provide excellent learning opportunities by increasing efficiency in developing training courses and curricula. Opportunities in corporate learning, e-learning development, and instructional technology are available for career expansion opportunities.
Through instructional design training, professionals understand how to create innovative delivery strategies that leverage interactive and multimedia technology to improve training efficacy. With options for contract, part-time, and remote work, training and development professionals have a lot of flexibility in the workplace.
For any educator looking to expand their career options through additional instructional designer training, there are additional niches to specialize in, such as gamification, mobile learning, or accessibility, and the potential to move into leadership roles, overseeing instructional design teams or departmental training strategies. The versatility of instructional design offers cross-industry opportunities, such as work in healthcare, finance, education, and technology!
The benefits of instructional design as a career path
Choosing a profession in instructional design has several substantial advantages. Thanks to its encouragement of creative expression, you can create captivating and inventive learning experiences! The development of inclusive educational resources that cater to the varied needs of learners is prioritized, with a particular emphasis on inclusion.
Plus, a career in instructional design will rarely be boring. Keeping up with the latest developments in educational technology, instructional designers improve learning through VR, AR, and AI. Due to the rise of digital education, the need for instructional designers is growing across industries. The field develops a broad skill set that is transferable to many industries, improving job mobility and stability.
Professionals looking to develop their careers through instructional design training will gain leadership skills while learning to oversee organizational development programs and educational activities. The discipline specializes in corporate training, curriculum creation, or e-learning to accommodate a range of interests and professional objectives, as well as provides the tools to influence organizational transformation through efficient training and development plans.
With the encouragement of lifelong learning to maintain professional development and skill enhancement as this field evolves, our answer to “Is instructional design a good career?” is a resounding YES.