Then, Now, Next

“Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.” ―Ovid

 "How can I be part of a solution at scale?” I was prompted to reflect on this question for the first time during a high school ethics class. I did not have an answer then, and I do not have one now. However, my life experiences have taught me that education represents the closest thing to achieving a solution at scale.

Education has allowed me to connect with others and share ideas and experiences. Through education, I have developed new skills and acquired valuable knowledge. Moreover, education has helped me to communicate in a different language and inspired me to be more curious about other cultures.

As I progressed through my Bachelor of Arts in Technology and Emerging Communication and a minor in Human Resource Management, I developed an in-depth understanding of how knowledge can be transferred in corporate and educational settings and how media technologies can be integrated into training programs. However, to achieve my career objective of contributing to educational improvement through technological development, I knew that I would benefit from studying educational technology at a higher level. That's why I decided to pursue a Master's degree in Learning Technologies at The University of North Texas.

In the Spring of 2019, I started a position as a student worker for the eLearning department at The University of Texas at Dallas, which introduced me to the roles and responsibilities of an instructional designer, and from that moment on I was hooked with this career. In this job, I trained faculty and staff on using media editing tools to develop high-quality online lectures. Later, during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, I was assigned a temporary position as an Instructional Designer. In that capacity, I was tasked with developing two online courses in Blackboard for the Fall 2020 term which provided me with an invaluable opportunity to do a deep dive into Learning Management Systems (LMS) and polish my skills in designing online courses in this type of digital structure.

After graduating from UTD, I landed a Training Specialist role in the Presentations and Graphics team at Houlihan Lokey. This role allowed me to expand my knowledge of training practices at a corporate level and to implement what I had learned in academia and from previous professional roles. In the Fall of 2023, I was hired as a Graduate Assistant for the Online Student Experience Department at UNT. In this role, I worked on projects aimed at helping the UNT online student community learn about resources to support their learning journey and connect with faculty and staff to foster academic success, personal growth, and a sense of belonging (Online Student Experience Website).

Both experiences of working in educational and corporate environments have been beyond fascinating; I have a great appreciation for all the work and planning involved in developing online courses and training material. I am confident the working skills and knowledge I have gained in combination with my commitment, ability, and hardworking attitude will enable me to be a success in Instructional Design. Also, my strong passion for the subject will help me develop my teamwork and leadership skills by working on collaborative projects and guiding others in their learning journey and career growth.

Having completed the Learning Technologies MS program this Spring 2024, I aspire to progress to a role through which I can help improve learning outcomes in educational, non-profit, or corporate settings, and be a valuable member of the Instructional Design community, leading projects that contribute to the success of learners around the world.