Taara Smith wanted to become a learning expert. However, her path to a career in instructional design was winding. “I’m a military spouse whose career was in the provincial government. This required me to leave a successful career in Alberta and rebuild a career in B.C. when we relocated. When I found myself in Ontario having to rebuild a career again, this seemed like the perfect opportunity for change. I needed a new career that matched my needs and interests. I loved training staff, and after researching the field, I knew instructional design was the right fit for me,” recalls Taara. “Although I had relevant experience, I wanted to pursue further education to demonstrate I had the necessary academic foundation to pursue this specialization. I considered getting a second degree in adult education or pursuing a Master’s degree, but neither of these options were the right fit. I didn’t really need another degree. Then, I came across the Learning Design program at the School of Continuing Studies (SCS). Its content addressed the industry knowledge I was lacking, with no extra fluff. It was the missing puzzle piece.”

She began taking courses in Fall 2019, but was hesitant at first. “I had been out of school for a while, and I wasn’t sure if I would be successful in an online learning environment or if it would fit my needs,” says Taara. “However, the digital classroom was very flexible and designed for adult learners. My peers came from diverse backgrounds, meaning I got to hear about learning design within various industries, such as the corporate and financial sectors, government, and education. My instructors were very passionate and knowledgeable. It wasn’t the intimidating experience I had feared, and I learned to be kind to myself, know my limits, manage my time, and not take on too much at once.”

From the start, it was clear to Taara that the program’s main focus was on comprehension and application. “This program was unlike university courses I have taken. I was challenged to think about the practical application of the teachings. We were encouraged to think beyond standard processes and formats, and instead, we developed our assignments based on the needs of our workplace projects,” she says. After being hired by the Department of National Defense as an Instructional Designer, Taara found that the program had not only enhanced her learning design skills, but also her confidence. “Starting a second career can be daunting. Even when you finally break into that new role, you can feel like an imposter. SCS gave me the essential skills and industry language that I needed to fit in and thrive in my new environment.”

Taara, who won a Marilyn Booth Award of Academic Excellence from SCS, now applies her learning design skills on a daily basis. “When I started my new job, I inherited a large project that was mid-completion, and thanks to the abilities I gained at SCS I was able to step into the lead Instructional Designer role fairly seamlessly. As I advance in my career, my goal is to continue to apply best practices to make training even more engaging and effective. I want to use creative solutions to ensure learners can retain and use what they learn,” says Taara. “SCS truly provided an adult learning environment, with a key focus on applying concepts vs. getting great grades. I did excel academically, but when my mindset shifted from ‘getting an A’ to ‘how can I grow,’ I was really able to focus on my personal learning needs. This program was invaluable in obtaining the knowledge and experience I was missing to make a career change, and I love my new career.”