{"id":12505,"date":"2024-09-12T11:58:03","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T10:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/?p=12505"},"modified":"2024-09-26T10:35:55","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T09:35:55","slug":"an-altc-blog-retrospective-on-careers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/altc.alt.ac.uk\/blog\/2024\/09\/an-altc-blog-retrospective-on-careers\/","title":{"rendered":"An #altc blog retrospective on careers\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2024 Annual Survey<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We would love to hear from you on this subject. Do these posts reflect your experience? Are they still relevant in today\u2019s employment market? How has the career of \u2018Learning Technologist\u2019 changed in recent years? Email blog@alt.ac.uk<\/a> to share your thoughts in a future blog post. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Editor\u2019s Choice \u2013 the multifaceted role of a Learning Technologist by Santanu Vasant<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duties of the Learning Technologist continue to provide much debate in the Learning Technology community.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 (Vasant, 2016)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2017  <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Who am I? Reflections on the identity of a learning technologist by Chrissi Nerantzi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2026 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?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Nerantzi, 2017)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, Chrissi reflects on applying for and winning the Individual ALT Award in 2017<\/a> and how the process of applying for the award led her to think about her career and where she \u2018sits\u2019 in her organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Chrissi\u2019s post inspires you, why not consider submitting an application for next year\u2019s 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<\/a> to help shape your thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2019 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat makes a Learning Technologist?\u201d \u2013 Part 1 of 4: Job titles by Daniel Scott-Purdy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Scott-Purdy, 2019)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first post of the series \u201cWhat makes a Learning Technologist?\u201d Daniel explores the results of a survey sent to the ALT community. In particular, he features responses to the questions \u2018What is your current job title?\u2019 and \u2018What would your ideal job title be?\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat makes a Learning Technologist?\u201d \u2013 Part 2 of 4: Career paths by Karoline Nanfeldt<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It never ceases to amaze me how people get into learning technology, and how the diversity of their backgrounds benefits the wider community.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Nanfeldt, 2019)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat makes a Learning Technologist?\u201d \u2013 Part 3 of 4: Roles and duties by Simon Thomson<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another surprise for me was the prevalence of the \u2018content development\u2019 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 \u2018content developer\u2019 role within the duties.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 (Thomson, 2020)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat makes a Learning Technologist?\u201d \u2013 Part 4 of 4: Best-part challenges by Daniel Scott? <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Daniel Scott, 2020)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cWhat makes a Learning Technologist\u201d series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning Technologist\u2026and what is next? The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the opportunities for career progression by Mari Cruz Garcia Vallejo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Garcia Vallejo, 2020)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, Mari considers how career progression changed for Learning Technologists during and following the Covid-19 pandemic and the \u2018summer of love\u2019. Mari explores the pros and cons of contracting, remote working and stepping into management roles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Learning Technologist: You\u2019re Hired! Part 1 \u2013 Prepare to apply by Julie Voce and Mimi Weiss Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Voce and Weiss Johnson, 2021)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first of the \u201cYou\u2019re Hired\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning Technologist: You\u2019re Hired! Part 2 \u2013 Your application by Julie Voce and Mimi Weiss <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These tips will help you get your application arranged in a way that fulfils the recruiting panel\u2019s needs, and hopefully show you to be the recruiter\u2019s dream candidate.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Voce and Weiss Johnson, 2021)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning Technologist: You\u2019re Hired! Part 3 \u2013 Interview preparation by Julie Voce and Mimi Weiss Johnson <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparation is key to a successful interview, and it can be tricky to do this well with often just a week\u2019s notice. You can start some things now though.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 (Voce and Weiss Johnson, 2021)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning Technologist: You\u2019re Hired! Part 4 \u2013 The interview by Julie Voce and Mimi Weiss Johnson <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 (Voce and Weiss Johnson, 2021)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, Julie and Mimi focus on some considerations for the interview itself. These include how to answer the panel\u2019s questions, how to phrase your answers, use of notes, and language and tone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning Technologist: You\u2019re Hired! Part 5 \u2013 Post interview and advice by Julie Voce and Mimi Weiss Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Voce and Weiss Johnson, 2021)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

We hope you\u2019ve 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: <\/p>\n\n\n\n