How to Kickstart a Career in Instructional Design After Graduation

So, You’ve Just Graduated… Now What?

You’ve crossed the stage, diploma in hand. Maybe you majored in English, Psychology, Education, or even Communication. And now, you’ve heard about this exciting, fast-growing field: Instructional Design (ID). It blends creativity, technology, and education—and better yet, it offers remote flexibility and competitive salaries.
But here’s the catch: instructional design isn’t usually part of a standard college curriculum.
So how do you break in?

Step 1 – Understand What Instructional Designers Actually Do

Before jumping in, take time to understand the job.Instructional designers aren’t just content writers. They design learning experiences.

From corporate training modules and onboarding programs to digital simulations and academic eLearning, IDs create effective, learner-centered materials. Their work is a mix of:

– Applying learning science and learning frameworks (cognitive load theory, Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gagné’s Events)
– Writing for online learning and classroom training
– Visualizing instructional material
– Understanding learning technology (eLearning tools, LMS platforms)
– Collaborating with subject matter experts (SMEs)

Step 2 – Choose a Solid Learning Path (Hint: Not All Courses Are Created Equal)

There are dozens of online courses that claim to teach instructional design, but many are outdated, overly theoretical, or leave you unprepared for real work.
Look for a program that includes:
– Hands-on projects (storyboards, design documents, approach notes, concept notes)
– Mentorship or feedback
– Interview and portfolio preparation
– Access to community or job boards
Highly recommended: ID Mentors by Purnima Valiathan. This program combines real-world scenarios, portfolio feedback, and continuous mentoring—a crucial difference from static online courses.

Step 3 – Start Building a Portfolio Early

Your portfolio is your golden ticket. Recruiters want to see what you can do.
Include:
– A storyboard sample
– A microlearning module (use tools like Articulate Rise, Storyline, or Canva)
– Case studies: show your problem-solving and design process
Even if you haven’t worked for a company, create mock projects. Redesign a corporate policy into a microlearning lesson. Convert a lecture into an interactive module.

Step 4 – Learn the Tools of the Trade

Familiarity with these tools will set you apart:

– Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise)
– Camtasia or Vyond for video-based learning
– Canva for visual design
– Google Slides / PowerPoint (storyboarding)
– LMS platforms like Moodle or TalentLMS

Step 5 – Network Like Your Career Depends On It (Because It Does)

Join ID communities:

– LinkedIn groups for instructional designers
– Slack groups like IDLance or ID Assembly
– Attend webinars and free live sessions (many from ID Mentors)

Step 6 – Start Applying Smartly (And Realistically)

Don’t wait for the “perfect” job. Start with internships, freelance gigs, or contract-based roles. Look for:
– eLearning developers
– content developers
– instructional design freshers
– Learning consultants

Bonus: Learn to Receive Feedback Gracefully

Instructional design is iterative. You’ll work closely with SMEs, stakeholders, reviewers—each with their own opinion.

Final Thoughts

Breaking into instructional design after graduation might feel like you’re starting from scratch—but you’re not. You already bring communication, research, and empathy skills from your degree. Pair that with the right guidance, portfolio, and mindset—and you’re on your way to a fulfilling ID career.