Megan,
I do honestly think that HAVING any degree, as long as you have the competencies and willingness to learn, is enough. My very practical undergrad is in Technical Theater: Set Design and Light Design, with a minor in French. Now how is that for employable? However, a couple years out of school I was lucky enough to find a company that really wanted video training, so they saw my degree as comperable and hired me on. I've been doing trainng for 20+ years now (Oh, but I did go back and get my Masters in HRD somewhere along the way because I wanted the "uumpf" and data to back up what I thought was right.)

Do you have a portfolio put together? You will definitely need one. Your company owns the copyrights (most likely) to your work, but you may be able to ask for permission to take copies of your best work for your portfolio. I'd go through your stuff, and get a good sampling of different types of elearning: not just soft skills vs. technical, but if you have moduules that include simulations, role plays, really good testing, etc. I'd include them. The time to ask for permission is now...before you're thinking of leaving. If possible, the HR person in me says, "get it in writing". You aren't going to reuse those programs elsewhere, you just need samples of what you have done.

It's hard to be young and starting out... if it makes you feel better, it's hard to be older with a ton of education and experience too, just cause it's hard to stay on top of all the recent changes.

Technical communications should serve you well. There are two things that a lot of people can't do well: The first is explain technical info simply, and the second is just plain communicate!

Now you've got the certifications to back it up - to show you understand the theory behind the structure. (Did you like the ASTD elearning cert? Which did you take? Online or instructor led? I'm kind of looking forward to it!)

If you're looking for a new job, put together a "results based" resume...showing how your programs added value to the organization. Completion rates, safety improvements, or best of all - bottom line improvement can be impressive metrics. If you're not sure what those are in your organization, start talking to the participants of your courses, to see how they feel training changed their experience. The more detailed you get, the more impressive your resume will be.

Hope that helps! E

Hey, Megan! It's great to see that you're still moving forward.

If you are exploring degrees, I found great benefit in Boise State's Instructional & Performance Technology program. As you know, Suzanne also attended the program.

While many of the core courses are simply ID and HPT (but valuable in their own right), you can also focus on e-learning as you get into the electives.

Good luck,

Jay

Megan,

I am a career coach and have taught career development courses. If you feel that your career is missing the educational component. Your concern might be on target. To confirm your concern, conduct some job searches to identify the employers requirements for the position. If most of the positions require a degree, you might want to consider making that the next step in your career path. As you conduct your search, you will also find out if you have some skill gaps too.

Thanks elewis! Most of the job descriptions simply say "degree in related field" after a LOT of thought, I've enrolled in a program at the University of Phoenix for web design. Then in a few years after I've recieved my bachelor's I'll go fo my Masters in adult education. Why is it that the only degree programs I can find related to adult education are graduate programs?

Hi Ellie,

There are undergraduate adult education programs; however, they are usually traditional face-to-face programs not online programs. I know of programs in WI and AL.