An #altc blog retrospective on careers
A key purpose of the ALT Annual Survey is to identify emerging trends in current and future practice with the results providing an important insight into how professional practice within the field of Learning Technology is developing. The subject of careers in Learning Technology is an integral part of this insight.
The 2024 Annual Survey results showed that more respondents will be looking for new roles this year. Over the years, we have had a lot of helpful advice shared by our Members via the #altc blog. In this post, we take a look back at all the Member posts we have published on careers in Learning Technology between 2016 and 2021.
We would love to hear from you on this subject. Do these posts reflect your experience? Are they still relevant in today’s employment market? How has the career of ‘Learning Technologist’ changed in recent years? Email blog@alt.ac.uk to share your thoughts in a future blog post.
2016
Editor’s Choice – the multifaceted role of a Learning Technologist by Santanu Vasant
Duties of the Learning Technologist continue to provide much debate in the Learning Technology community.
(Vasant, 2016)
In this post, Santanu looks at the diversity of the role of Learning Technologist. He features three blogs from ALT Members that each describe the potential responsibilities of a Learning Technologist as a developer, an adviser and an architect. Links to additional blog posts and surveys on the topic are then provided to widen the debate.
2017
Who am I? Reflections on the identity of a learning technologist by Chrissi Nerantzi
I read somewhere that increased specialisation is what generates boundaries and that cross-boundary working is therefore needed more than ever. This observation makes me think about where I sit… am I a learning technologist in disguise, a sort of secret learning technologist? A chameleon technologist? Do I work at the intersection of academic development and learning technology? Who am I? Can I be a learning technologist and an academic developer? Am I both or is the definition of a learning technologist far more wide reaching?
(Nerantzi, 2017)
In this post, Chrissi reflects on applying for and winning the Individual ALT Award in 2017 and how the process of applying for the award led her to think about her career and where she ‘sits’ in her organisation.
If Chrissi’s post inspires you, why not consider submitting an application for next year’s ALT Awards? The 2024 Awards Ceremony will take place as part of the ALT Annual Conference on Wednesday 4 September 2024 and will provide an excellent overview of the award categories to help shape your thoughts.
2019
“What makes a Learning Technologist?” – Part 1 of 4: Job titles by Daniel Scott-Purdy
Overall, respondents state that they understand the role of a Learning Technologist and regularly carry out the duties of one. However, it remains an ambiguous role in how it should be labelled and packaged, both internally and externally to an organisation. Whilst the purpose and context of the Learning Technologist role remains broadly unchanged, individuals are now calling for further autonomy of their identity that better reflects their work and values.
(Scott-Purdy, 2019)
In the first post of the series “What makes a Learning Technologist?” Daniel explores the results of a survey sent to the ALT community. In particular, he features responses to the questions ‘What is your current job title?’ and ‘What would your ideal job title be?’.
“What makes a Learning Technologist?” – Part 2 of 4: Career paths by Karoline Nanfeldt
It never ceases to amaze me how people get into learning technology, and how the diversity of their backgrounds benefits the wider community.
(Nanfeldt, 2019)
In this post, Karoline explores the different career paths Learning Technologists have taken. Finding that there is no one clear-cut or direct route to becoming a Learning Technologist, she explores the multitude of different paths taken as well as the more formal vocational routes.
2020
“What makes a Learning Technologist?” – Part 3 of 4: Roles and duties by Simon Thomson
Another surprise for me was the prevalence of the ‘content development’ aspect of the role. In all of my own experiences of writing job specs, recruiting and working with learning technologists I have often avoided including the ‘content developer’ role within the duties.
(Thomson, 2020)
In this post, Simon explores the different roles and duties Learning Technologists undertake as part of their roles, including systems support, content development, training, leadership, and pedagogical support.
“What makes a Learning Technologist?” – Part 4 of 4: Best-part challenges by Daniel Scott?
The Learning Technologist role is far from simple and one-dimensional. It consists of intricate and multiple layers of specialisms, knowledge, skills and behaviours in order to engage academics and stakeholders and [in] ensuring the purpose and success of digital technology.
(Daniel Scott, 2020)
In this summary post written by Daniel Scott, the challenges and best parts about being a Learning Technologist are considered as a conclusion to the “What makes a Learning Technologist” series.
There is not a clear successful route when it comes to further career progression for a learning technologist and the future looks very uncertain. When choosing your next move, you really need to explore your motivation and interests in the long term as well as the pros and cons of each progression route.
(Garcia Vallejo, 2020)
In this post, Mari considers how career progression changed for Learning Technologists during and following the Covid-19 pandemic and the ‘summer of love’. Mari explores the pros and cons of contracting, remote working and stepping into management roles.
2021
Learning Technologist: You’re Hired! Part 1 – Prepare to apply by Julie Voce and Mimi Weiss Johnson
Over the years we have been involved in many recruitment rounds for Learning Technologist roles at several universities and have picked up quite a few tips for how to write a good application and how to do well in interviews.
(Voce and Weiss Johnson, 2021)
In the first of the “You’re Hired” series, Julie and Mimi share how to prepare for an application with advice on identifying your skills and experience, as well as the importance of compiling examples.
Learning Technologist: You’re Hired! Part 2 – Your application by Julie Voce and Mimi Weiss
These tips will help you get your application arranged in a way that fulfils the recruiting panel’s needs, and hopefully show you to be the recruiter’s dream candidate.
(Voce and Weiss Johnson, 2021)
In this post, Julie and Mimi give their tips for completing the job application form, including what to include, how to structure it, and how to make sure you address what the recruiters are looking for.
Preparation is key to a successful interview, and it can be tricky to do this well with often just a week’s notice. You can start some things now though.
(Voce and Weiss Johnson, 2021)
In this post, Julie and Mimi share their guidance on interview preparation and technique. Considerations include the common questions you could be asked, how to prepare for interview tasks, and questions to ask the selection panel.
Learning Technologist: You’re Hired! Part 4 – The interview by Julie Voce and Mimi Weiss Johnson
Remember, the interview is your opportunity to demonstrate why we should employ you, so make the most of the time you have and by following these steps you will have maximised your chances of showing the panel that you are suitable for the role.
(Voce and Weiss Johnson, 2021)
In this post, Julie and Mimi focus on some considerations for the interview itself. These include how to answer the panel’s questions, how to phrase your answers, use of notes, and language and tone.
We hope this series on how to get hired as a learning technologist has been useful and provides you with a useful checklist for future applications.
(Voce and Weiss Johnson, 2021)
In the final post of the series, Julie and Mimi share their advice on the post-interview part of the process including getting feedback from the panel, considering job offers and preparing to start in your new role.
Summary
We hope you’ve enjoyed a look back at these posts and that they have given you some useful guidance for your own career journey. Now, we would like to hear from you:
- Do you have career-related advice you can share?
- Did any of these posts help you to secure your role?
- How did you come to work with Learning Technology? What was your own journey?
- How do you think recruitment has changed since these posts were written?
- How has the role of a Learning Technologist changed in your opinion?
Share your thoughts for a future blog by sending a draft to blogs@alt.ac.uk. Take a look at our Submission guidelines to help get you started. We look forward to hearing from you!