Rewriting the Lesson Plan: Making the Leap from SME to Instructional Design
I started out as a classroom teacher back in the mid-2000s, long before online education became the norm. My lessons lived on whiteboards, in binders, and on printed handouts carefully photocopied each morning. I loved seeing the spark in students' eyes when a concept clicked. But as digital learning tools grew more prominent, I realized that what truly excited me wasn’t just the content I taught—it was the learning process itself. I became increasingly curious about how people learn, especially beyond the classroom, and how I could help design those experiences.
Thinking about a career change was daunting. Teaching was what I knew. But something kept nudging me toward instructional design. If you're a subject matter expert considering a switch, here are 10 questions to ask yourself.
- Do I enjoy designing learning experiences as much as I enjoy teaching content? Am I passionate about how people learn, not just what they learn?
- Can I explain complex topics in simple, structured ways? Do I find satisfaction in breaking things down and scaffolding understanding?
- Can I shift from being the center of knowledge to being a guide for others’ learning? Am I ready to step into a role that’s more behind-the-scenes but potentially reaches more learners?
- Do I enjoy collaborating with others across different roles—like media designers, developers, and other SMEs?
- Am I open to using technology as a tool to support learning—beyond just delivering information?
- Can I manage multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholders at once? (Instructional design often requires juggling!)
- Do I enjoy receiving and applying feedback from others to improve my work?
- Can I empathize with learners who are unfamiliar with the subject matter—and design for their needs?
- Am I curious and excited about learning science, accessibility, and inclusive design?
- Do I love learning new things and consider learning its own reward? Would I consider it a “perk” of the job to be paid to learn about certain subjects?
If you answered yes to most or all of these questions, instructional design might be a perfect fit. It’s a role that combines innovation, communication, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
What surprised me most was how much of my SME experience translated into my new role. My ability to explain content clearly, break it into digestible pieces, and anticipate learner questions gave me a strong foundation. I wasn’t starting over—I was building on what I already knew.
Of course, making the switch came with trade-offs. As an instructional designer, you might miss the day-to-day connection with learners or the immediate feedback you get in a classroom. The work can also be more iterative and collaborative, meaning your vision is shaped (and sometimes reshaped) by multiple voices, timelines, and organizational goals. There’s much less autonomy than you have in a classroom and more negotiation. And do not get me started on not having the whole summer off.
Looking back, I’m happy I took the leap. Becoming an instructional designer let me broaden my impact, reach more learners, and grow in ways I hadn’t expected. It’s a different kind of spark now compared to teaching, but just as fulfilling.
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