Professional growth relies on one’s ability to step outside of one's comfort zone, especially when networking to build relationships with people and organizations for whom you want to work. This is a skill one has to practice, which is why this LDT program encourages graduate students to get familiar with the motions involved in the process. Initiating this communication does not necessarily mean that it will result in a response or a career opportunity. Still, it is nevertheless a valuable experience to get comfortable putting feelers out into the professional community. These connections can potentially foster future relationships and opportunities for new career paths. Without this practice, aspiring instructional designers may miss out on professional development. 

Two of my courses have required me to connect with professionals for interviews. For my Project Management elective, I explored a topic of my choice: the difference between product and project management. I spoke to a product management director at Autograph.io, an NFT Platform. Similarly, for EDCI 513, we had to work in groups to find instructional designers to interview. As advised, I messaged a few people on LinkedIn who work for companies in the tech and entertainment industries. The first to get back to me was an instructional design manager at TikTok. Shortly after confirming with him, an instructional design project manager at Disney contacted me. Although I had already set up a time for the ID manager at TikTok, I could not pass up the opportunity to speak with the ID project manager at Disney. Therefore, I scheduled a time to talk with her 1-on-1 over the phone. All three interviews ended with the professionals offering to stay in contact, offering to give us feedback on our portfolios, and inviting us to reconnect in 3-6 months to update on our job searches. 

Professional connections have provided me with job opportunities in the past. My current teaching position would never have come to me without a former colleague’s referral. The school needed a 6th-grade teacher, and knowing I was looking for a new job, she gave the principal my contact information. It has been seven years since then, so only recently have I needed to think about maintaining contact with other professionals. Since I am entering a new field, I am grateful for the opportunity this program has provided me to see the benefits of putting myself out there to introduce myself to others in the field. 

From this experience, I feel empowered to continue contacting people to get their advice, hopefully leading to opportunities because of the relationship or the advice they provide me. I also feel more confident about my decision to transition into this new field. Speaking to these professionals made the job search feel more attainable. Looking ahead, I will continue to connect with other professionals, although I would like to explore different sectors in instructional design, such as higher education. To continue to exercise my networking muscle, I will also maintain contact with my current school where I work so I can offer teacher training to support new teachers while developing my portfolio.