If you are pursuing an elearning career, you will want to make sure you position yourself for success. The best way to do this is to make smart career decisions early, and continue to push yourself based on the skills that align with your eventual expertise.

There are constantly new elearning technologies being introduced, instructional design theories to understand, and professional organizations popping up all over the world. Staying on top of these trends while bolstering your skill-set is essential to career development.

Here are just some of the best career development options you have available to you depending on where you are in your elearning career.

Internships & Position Hopping

If you are just entering the elearning world, taking advantage of internships is a great way to boost the career opportunities that you will have later down the line.

When selecting possible internships, choose the positions that give you the most exposure to elearning industry technology and methodology.

If you already are working for an elearning firm, it doesn’t hurt to inquire about various roles within the organization. Try spending time in as many roles as you can to gain a better understanding about the expectations. This will also help you decide which areas in elearning you like best.

Mentors

One of the best ways to develop your new career is to seek a mentoring relationship with an established professional.

Once you have found someone, set-up regular check-points so that you can get feedback on professional questions you may have as you pursue your elearning career. If you can find a mentor within your organization, they can assist you directly in refining your skills in a way that improves your job performance.

Having an internal mentor is also a great way to demonstrate to the organization your dedication to being successful and to continually improve your skills.

Online Communities

Online communities can be immensely helpful when it comes time to develop your new career. You should investigate the leading elearning resources to see which one(s) you feel most comfortable with. It’s a fantastic way to network, learn new skills, and to stay on top of industry trends.

What is nice about these groups is that you have the opportunity to speak with people that have been in your shoes at one point. Their advice is practical and based one experience. You might be able to find a career mentor from these elearning community sites.

Some online communities are better than others, so you’ll need to be picky as you make this kind of time investment. The last thing that you want to do is waste time in an online community that doesn’t help you get to where you want to go.