Education Specialist to eLearning Curriculum Developer in the Tech Industry

Matt Sustaita

Transition From Teaching to eLearning

I was lucky enough to connect with Matt in 2014 or 2015 on LinkedIn. Matt used Linkedin to find former teachers that work in a corporate setting and I was one that appeared. Matt asked to speak with me and hear about my experiences. I enjoyed our conversation and could tell he would go far. It was great to reconnect with him again 3-4 years later and hear about the experiences he has since gained. The following will detail his journey as he transitioned out of the public school system and into an eLearning Curriculum Developer position in the Tech industry.

Matt’s Experience in Public Schools

Matt earned his undergraduate in speech-language pathology. He then started his career in the public school system in California. During his time in public education, he held responsibilities as an education specialist by supporting teachers curriculum development, content design, and ensured that their courses were accessible for all audiences. While working in the public school system Matt continued his education to receive his Master’s degree in Education.

Continuing Education

Shortly after, Matt decided to continue his education. He earned a Master’s certificate from Boise State University online in Workplace Instructional Design and Educational/Instructional Technology.

Experience in Corporate World

Matt landed his first job as an instructional designer with a utility company on a 9-month contract. Matt now holds the role of Senior Associate eLearning Curriculum Developer/Instructional Designer with a software company. Today, he works in security training, specifically by designing eLearning solutions using programs like Adobe Suites, Captivate, and Camtasia.

Advice from Matt

Network, network, network! Put yourself out there and ask questions.
Build an online social network presence by posting, blogging, liking, and sharing content.
Practice your skill and try new challenges. The Articulate community is a good place to start.
Use sites like Lynda.com, Skillshare, and LinkedIn Learning to upskill yourself. If you feel like you hit the ceiling, you’ve stopped being a learner.
If want an advanced degree in ID, go for it, but spending time building a portfolio of diverse content and solutions will go further than a certificate or fancy list of abbreviations next to your name.
Practice solving workplace performance issues before leaving the classroom. Make a job aid, shoot a video, design an eLearning course and have your students use it to study for a test. Anything you make can be a piece of your portfolio and isn’t bound by law, belonging to your district.
Get out there, create, and share with the world!

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