In a September 2024 blog post, Josh Herron, Ph.D., of the Online Learning Consortium called instructional designers the "unsung heroes of digital learning," noting that their contributions were essential during the COVID-19 pandemic as the 2020s began. This remained true during the middle of the decade as emerging technologies like generative AI and chatbots impacted the way people learn.
"As the digital learning landscape continues to evolve, instructional designers remain central to driving innovation and transformative change in education," Herron stated. "The field of instructional design offers a wide range of career opportunities, but navigating these opportunities requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the evolving demands in the field. Job titles, responsibilities, and required skills vary greatly across institutions, making it essential for professionals to continuously upskill and adapt to new trends."
- Adapted Physical Education Specialists
- Adult and Vocational Education Teachers
- Art Teachers
- Athletic Directors
- Biophysicists
- Book Editors
- Career and Employment Counselors
- Career and Employment Technicians
- College Administrators
- College Professors
- Community Nutrition Educators
- Computer Trainers
- Cooking Instructors
- Curriculum Coordinators
- Dance School Owners and Managers
- Distance Learning Coordinators
- Driving School Owners and Instructors
- Education Directors and Museum Teachers
- Edupreneurs
- Elementary School Teachers
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Teachers
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Flight Instructors
- Guidance Counselors
- Health Educators
- Instructional Coordinators
- Journalism Teachers
- Learning Innovations Designers
- Library and Information Science Instructors
- Mathematics Teachers
- Music Teachers
- Nursing Instructors
- Physical Education Teachers
- Political Scientists
- Preschool Teachers
- Real Estate Educators
- School Administrators
- School Nurses
- Secondary School Teachers
- Special Education Teachers
- Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
- Teacher Aides
- Tutors and Trainers