Help Wanted: Instructional Design Jobs in Higher Ed

The options for designing and developing online courses and programs are changing as new technologies, tools, applications, and delivery modes emerge. What skills are required of today’s instructional designers in higher education? Whether working as part of an academic department, centralized online education group, or faculty development office, the role is increasingly complex and varied to meet the needs of different faculty members, courses, programs, students, and administrators.

This session will address setting realistic expectations for the current work of instructional designers in higher education, and offer a look at how these jobs are being advertised. The presenters recently conducted a review of entry level, instructional design job vacancy announcements from colleges and universities. This study revealed a list of common components, as well as a list of unusual requirements and emerging needs.

Objectives of this session include:

1. Presentation of the job vacancy review results.
2. Introduction of a basic template for instructional design job announcements, which includes: work tasks and functions, technology skills, administrative skills, and expectations for experience and education.
3. Tips for hiring managers: What are the emerging needs of the instructional design field?
4. Tips for students planning instructional design careers: What are higher education employers looking for? How can you prepare?

The presenters have professional backgrounds that range from directing large-scale online education and curriculum development projects to freelance instructional design and online teaching. They will share their experiences both hiring and working in this field, and ask for feedback from attendees.