Career changes, told start to finish.

The whole story, from where they started to the job on the other side, told by graduates of the Applied Instructional Design Academy (AIDA).

Find the one whose start looks like yours.

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I'm a happier person. I have the energy for my kids at the end of the day.

Morgan StevensScience Teacher → Instructional Developer V, Core4ce

Morgan Stevens

Science teacher · 11 years

High school science teacherInstructional Developer V, Core4ce

Three kids under six, a private loan, 212 applications, and eleven silent weeks. Then three offers came in the same week, and her employer repaid most of the loan.

Read Morgan's story →

Marion Callahan

Teacher · 16 years

Teacher, 154 students a dayISD Manager, CPaT Global

Thirteen months from her first login to the Applied Instructional Design Academy (AIDA) to running the design team. Now she hires AIDA grads, five so far, without posting a single job.

Read Marion's story →

Monique Williams

Software engineer · never taught

Software Engineer IIILearning Experience Designer, SweetRush

Her senior engineering role was taking more from her family than it gave back. After her portfolio went live, hiring managers asked what it would take to win her over other offers.

Read Monique's story →

Andi Stanfield

Teacher · 18 years

High school teacherTraining Officer II, State of Arizona

Applied for ID jobs on teaching experience alone and heard crickets. After AIDA she was hired, 100% remote, on a schedule built around her family and her retirement plan. She made the move after 50.

Read Andi's story →

Kirah Robinson

English teacher · 5 years

AP English teacherTechnical Instructional Developer, GovCIO

A teacher of the year who could see her whole financial future on one printed salary scale. Her ID starting salary would have taken 26 more years of teaching to reach.

Read Kirah's story →

Amanda Lawrie

Teacher · 18 years

Middle school science teacherTraining Specialist, Elevance Health

The master's degree never closed the gap. AIDA did, and three ID roles in a row followed, each one better than the last.

Read Amanda's story →

Elyse Inman

Teacher · 8 years

Elementary teacherInstructional Designer, SVI World

Her ID master's left her with theory and no portfolio. One month after her first application she was on the job, picked out of 160 applicants.

Read Elyse's story →

Sabrina Mackey

Early childhood educator

First grade teacherInstructional Designer, Tropical Smoothie Cafe

She resigned with nothing lined up and finished her portfolio anyway. Three ID roles in two years, each one a step up.

Read Sabrina's story →

Sarah Peters

Math teacher · 10 years

High school math teacherClient Education and Knowledge Manager, Jackrabbit Technologies

She joined AIDA 28 weeks pregnant and finished before her daughter arrived. Her first interview came three days after giving birth, and the company held her full maternity leave.

Read Sarah's story →

Want the numbers behind the stories?

The Outcomes Report shows where 622 grads work, how they work and what they report earning.

See the AIDA Outcomes Report →

Want to see the whole path first?

The Ultimate Guide walks you through how to become an instructional designer, from the skills to the job search.

Read the Ultimate Guide →

Your case study starts with one decision.

Every grad above had a moment where this was still just a page they were reading. Take the quiz to see if ID fits you, or go straight to the program they all chose.

How Much of an ID Am I Already?

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A weekly podcast and a Substack on moving into instructional design, from me.

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