Here’s what to expect from this episode:
When you’re just starting in corporate instructional design, having a portfolio is crucial to help you stand out, but nothing compares to having experience with an actual client. So how do you get this experience if you’ve never had a job in the field?
In this episode, we’re going over how to use volunteer projects to gain experience in corporate instructional design. I’ll share the benefits of completing a volunteer project, how to find these opportunities, and what to do once you get it.
Topics covered:
- Why you should complete a volunteer project
- Where to look for volunteer opportunities
- What to say when reaching out to organizations
- Treating your volunteer experience as a real project and handling limitations

What organizations will you offer your services to? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join our Facebook group, and let’s discuss!
Resources and Links Mentioned:
Sign up for the Applied Instructional Design Academy
Connect with Jill:
Instagram
Thanks for joining us on the Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career podcast! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple and Spotify to help us reach even more freedom seekers and aspiring instructional designers.
More about Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career Podcast
Thinking about becoming an Instructional Designer (ID) but have no idea how to get started? Instructional Design is a field that is high in demand, very flexible, highly lucrative, and provides you with a great work-life balance (say bye to being overworked and underpaid)!
Join Jill Davidian, 21-year corporate Instructional Design veteran and host of Jumpstart Your Instructional Design Career! Jill has worked in many different industries, including finance, health care, oil and gas, manufacturing, and even with the United Nations. She has helped over 500 new Instructional Designers launch their ID careers with corporate giants like Google and Amazon as well as smaller companies.
Each week she brings real talk, advice and inspiration, and interviews to help budding IDs stand out from the crowd and get that first job. Whether you are trying to figure out if Instructional Design is right for you or you are ready to create a portfolio and rework your resume, you are in the right place to jumpstart your Instructional Design career.