Ten Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Started Out in eLearning

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Ellen Wagner, Partner and Senior Analyst for Sage Road Solutions, LLC writes, "For eLearning professionals, the question comes up more often than just during “graduation season.”"

Photo: Learning Solutions Magazine

eLearning professionals share a common passion for using emerging technologies and new media to push the boundaries of creative expression, to produce learning experiences that have never been experienced before.

In the midst of the passionate pursuit of our practice, one faces doubts. Fears. Questions. 
Where do we turn for advice? I say this with love, and great affection for our community: eLearning people are rare and special. We care deeply about learning—our learning, other people’s learning, workplace eLearning, immersive learning, mobile learning, to name just a few of its many flavors. We BELIEVE in technologies. We believe that technologies allow us to engage and inspire learners in transformative ways. We believe it is up to us—as individuals, as members of our communities of interest and practice—to change the world, to make a difference. We see the world differently...

And so I asked some of my eLearning friends this very pointed question: “What is the one thing that you wish someone had told you before you started off on a new life adventure?” 

Here are a few of the answers I received in return:

• Tracy Hamilton Parish: The more you put in, the more you get back.
• Steven Howard: How rewarding it would be. 
• Jane Bozarth: Make your own fun. Create the job you want and, yes, you can do that and still work for the man. 
• Trina Rimmer: You’re in charge of your professional development. Not your manager, or your department or your company. Just you. 
• David Holcombe: For every person who says that’s a good idea, you can do it, there will be 10 saying it can’t be done. Believe in yourself and just do it.
• Becky Smith: Find a mentor. 
• Joe Ganci: Always be ready to help others. Smile—it costs you nothing. Love yourself—but not too much. Never be afraid to make mistakes; it’s how we learn. Listen more than you speak. Everyone has something to teach you, whether it’s something to do or not to do. The more you keep quiet but attentive, the more people think you’re smart. 
• Kelly Smith: It is better to ask for forgiveness than permission. 
• Nina Pasini Diebler: Be willing to “pay your dues.” Never think any task or project is beneath you—those are usually the ones where you learn the most.
• Darcy Walsh Hardy: Always stand up for what you believe, never sell out your integrity—but when the bad guys get so deep into your business, don’t poke at the sleeping bear, just get even by doing excellent work. 
• David Kelly: Find the opportunity in every challenge. 
• Neil Lasher: How really great it was going to be. 
• Suresh Susarla: Welcome the change with open arms and embrace it completely. Sooner you do it, the better.

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Source: Learning Solutions Magazine