Meet
Jennifer Ormond – Mentor
Zones of Genius
- Storyline
- Storyboards
- Wellsaid Labs
- Objectives
- Badges
- Script Writing
- Project Management
- Needs Analysis
- Job Aids
- Backward Design Model
- PowerPoint Design Tool
- Software Simulations in Storyline
- Career Transitions after 50
- Storytelling
- Rise
- Portfolios
- SME Management
- Scenarios
- vILT/ILT
- Cover Letters
- Learner Assessment
- Training Evaluation
- Vyond
- Zoom/Teams Skills
- Blooms Taxonomy
- Interpersonal Communications
What job/career did you transition from?
I was a high school Biology teacher for 11 years prior to transitioning. I taught in Title 1 school districts my entire teaching career and, while I loved my students, the pressure of high-stakes testing and the demand to constantly do more with less was taxing and I knew I needed to leave that career for my own well-being.
Why did you join AIDA?
I was desperate to find a pathway out of teaching. The Jumpstart Workshop popped up on my Facebook feed one night, and by day 2 of the workshop I KNEW this was the way I was going to get there! Everything about this career spoke to me. I could leverage my skills and knowledge as a teacher and find a career that would give me freedom and flexibility, and give me my life back!
How did AIDA set you up for Success?
AIDA is such a comprehensive program, my supervisor at my current job said my portfolio and interview blew all the others out of the water, and she couldn’t believe I had never held a career in instructional design before. AIDA equipped me with everything I needed to succeed, so much so that a year after I was hired I was promoted to the role of Senior Instructional Designer, despite having less time on the job than all the rest of my team.
What do you love about AIDA?
My favorite part about being in AIDA is the community of learning and support that happens here. This is the only program that offers so much guidance, rigor, and comprehensive training, with built-in support structures in the form of learning pods, success advisors, and mentors. AIDA is designed to position you for success in your career transition.
What are you doing now?
I am a Senior Instructional Designer for a mid-sized company that provides training for call center agents in the automotive industry. As a Senior ID, I conduct quality review (like the QA’s in AIDA), hold collaboration sessions with the instructional designers on my team (like coaching sessions), and facilitate monthly professional development sessions for all of our learning and knowledge service staff. I am in a leadership role now and don’t do as much designing and developing as I used to, but I get to brainstorm with my team to help them find the best learning solutions for their projects. It is very fulfilling!
