I suppose I will answer the WHY first. In beginning this journey, I have come across quite a few other blogs and in contacting some of the other authors, they have helped me greatly. However, the blogs I am reading are people that are involved and have been involved with Instructional Design for quite some time. Since I am a newbie, I am setting up the reality show entry, from thought to success (and yes, I am assuming success).
Me? I spent 8 years in the middle and high school classrooms before I left to pursue a doctoral degree. I am still working on that degree, however, I had to work in order to support my family. Strange story that is! I needed the flexibility of being home with my young kids while my wife went to work so I found a job as an online faculty with a university. I am still in that job as I write and while it is a good position, it is not my final resting place and I am looking for a bit more. I have always loved the creation behind the learning process and my current position gives me limited opportunity for that.
About six weeks ago, I decided to start exploring my options. My terminal degree will be in Educational Technology, however, I just could not see myself in a classroom full time anymore, online or offline. My thoughts about my dissertation topic had come to a stand still and I was very bored and unmotivated. Then I came across someone who mentioned ID and a light went on. Hmmmm. This might just be the angle I had been looking for. I did not know much about it and I am still learning, but I decided to explore further.
I found out a bit about software, such as Captivate, and downloaded and learned what I could about it. Since then, I have been all over Monster, CareerBuilder. com, Jobfox.com, Dice.com and a gazillion jillion other sites. I had to say to my wife that this was a LOT to wade through but I was excited about the process and the prospects. I am still tweaking my resume and connecting with as many folks as I can. I am learning and re-learning quite a bit about the skill of follow-up. I have sent out at LEAST 20 resumes and have not heard a thing yet. But, again, this is a learning process so I will see it through and hopefully be able to help someone else navigate the waters when I am done.
I'll probably try to create a list of the sites and places that I have checked and come across. In the meantime, I'm putting on the game face!!
Added: Oh yeah, I forgot to write this. I titled this blog Ego's Journey into ID and all the Freudians out there will get the subtle attempt at humor. But, really, the process of resume writing, posting, searching, interviewing, rejection, and hopefully final acceptance definitely can do a number on the ego. So, I'll let you know if there are any ups and downs here :-).
Links: Some of the blogs that I have come across so far that have been helpful:
Cammy Bean
Christy Tucker
Curt Bonk - Ed Tech & ID Job Search Links
