How to Start Your Instructional Design Career: What I Wish I Knew

If you’re new to instructional design or considering a career transition, you might be asking yourself: Where do I start? When I began my instructional design journey, I felt excited but also overwhelmed. There were so many tools, portfolio requirements, and job postings filled with unfamiliar language. I thought I needed to know everything at once but the truth is, you don’t.

Instructional design is less about perfection and more about progress. It’s about learning how to apply your strengths, whether in teaching, writing, or problem-solving to create meaningful learning experiences for others.

In this blog, I’ll share three things I wish I knew when starting out in instructional design so you can avoid the stress and start building your career with confidence.

1. Start With the Learner

One of the most important instructional design tips for beginners is to focus on your learner first. Before building slides or exploring eLearning tools, ask: Who am I designing for? What challenges are they facing? What do they need to walk away knowing or doing?

When you design with the learner in mind, your portfolio projects and interview responses will always stand out.

2. Build a Strong Instructional Design Portfolio

When I first built my instructional design portfolio, I thought I needed 10+ examples to prove myself. But here’s the secret: one or two polished, complete projects will impress employers and clients much more than a dozen half-finished samples.

Showcase your process (needs analysis, design decisions, and final product), not just the end result. A strong instructional design portfolio tells the story of how you solve problems not just that you can build slides.

3. Find Support Along the Way

Transitioning into instructional design can feel isolating, especially if you’re moving from another career like teaching. Having a coach, mentor, or even a supportive community makes a huge difference. While I did have the wonderful IDOL academy, I learned that many of the aspiring ID's I had a chance to mentor just needed a little extra. personal support with the actual transition piece.  

The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Why I Built HB Learning Solutions

I created HB Learning Solutions to give aspiring and early-career instructional designers the roadmap I wish I had. Through free resources like my Instructional Design Kick-Off Checklist, personalized 1:1 coaching sessions, and step-by-step toolkits, I help you build confidence, design your portfolio, and take clear steps toward your first (or next) instructional design role.

Instructional design doesn’t have to feel overwhelming you can transition successfully and build a career that’s creative, flexible, and meaningful.

Your Next Step

If you’re just starting your instructional design career, here are two actions you can take today:
✅ Grab my free [Instructional Design Kick-Off Checklist] to guide your first steps.
✅ Sign up for my newsletter, The ID Insider, for weekly tips, tools, and career insights. https://hblearningsolutions.mykajabi.com/signup

 Learn more about how HB Learning Solutions can help you : https://hblearningsolutions.mykajabi.com/

👉 Over to you: What’s your biggest question about starting in instructional design? Share it in the comments—I’d love to help!