Amanda Hernandez
Instructional Designer
Texas OnCourse
Austin, Texas USA
“It is important to always keep learning. Education is life long and doesn't end after school.”
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Graduated with a BS in Computer Science intending to go into the Video Game industry.
The AAA gaming industry crashed.
Looking for a new way to use my degree, I enrolled in graduate school for an MS in Instructional Design and Technology.
Hired by Yale University as an Instructional Technologist.
Graduated with my MS in Instructional Design and Technology.
Hired by the University of New England as an Instructional Designer.
Left UNE and took a job back home in Texas working for Texas OnCourse as an Instructional Designer.
Education
High School
Graduate
Instructional Design and Technology
Southern New Hampshire University
Instructional Design and Technology
Southern New Hampshire University
Career
Instructional Designer
I assist with pedagogical and andragogical design strategies for improving learner experience.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Technology
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
It really varies based on the project timeline. Generally I am working on anywhere between two and five projects at a time that are at different places in their individual timelines. I will usually split my day between projects based around upcoming deadlines. This could mean spending half the day creating learning resources / activities and the other half reviewing content submitted by Subject Matter Experts or Curriculum Writers for pedagogical or andragogical appropriateness.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Put together a portfolio of work you did while in school and keep it handy. Make sure that your resume is tailored to the industry you are interested in. For example, you would not want to send a CV to an ID position for an organization at which you will be doing training. CVs are primarily for any educational institution such as Grammar School, High School, or College. Do not be afraid to apply to that job you may be slightly intimidated by, the worst thing they can say is "No."
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Graduate
Instructional Design and Technology
Instructional Design and Technology
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Peers:
"You'll be in debt forever. What is Instructional Design? That doesn't sound like a real career, I've never heard of it. Higher Education is becoming a thing of the past."
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
