“Hi, I am Steven. I am currently working as an instructional designer at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. I majored in LTXD and graduated in Spring 2023. My primary responsibility for this position is to collaborate with subject matter experts to design online courses in learning management systems and coordinate technology consulting. I help subject matter experts with course content and assist students in improving their learning journey. This position requires a basic knowledge of learning design theory and skills in communication and project management.

I chose this position because it aligns with my expectations. I have some internship experience in instructional design from my time at NYU, where I interned at the Tandon School of Engineering as an instructional designer. I became interested in working in higher education from that time, and decided to start my full-time job there. So, if you are still confused about your career pathway, applying for an internship to gain some experience could be one possible solution."

“It has been a long way to finding a job after graduation. It took several months before I finally landed this new job. I applied to several hundred companies (including those in higher education) and got about 10 interviews. However, many of these interviews led to either ghosting or rejection in the first round. I tried to summarize my experiences and prepare for interviews using different methods after each failed attempt, and finally received an offer."

“I usually apply for jobs on LinkedIn and Indeed. It is very convenient to search and filter job postings. However, finding a job is more than using the “Easy Apply” button. You still need to prepare everything after clicking 'Apply'. I would recommend reviewing your resume, doing some background research before interviews, and being confident in presenting yourself to employers. Participating in mock interviews or resume reviews can be useful if you are unsure how to begin. I think there are some available resources provided by ECT. I booked a mock interview through Mind to Mind, held by ECT, and it greatly helped me to start my job search and prepare for interviews. (You can check this link if you have never heard of it). I would also advise paying attention to sponsorship issues if you are an international student. Some companies do not provide visa sponsorship, and you can usually pre-screen for this in the job descriptions."