Instructional Design & Technical Writing: Two Promising New Age Career Options.

Shardool Thakur
Fergusson College, Pune- 411004

Abstract: There seems to be very little or no knowledge about the immense job opportunities
that the globalized market place has thrown up for students having English as one of their
optional subjects or main subjects. There are many domains like E Learning/Instructional
Design, Technical Writing, Accent Training, Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO), Legal
Process Outsourcing (LPO), Medical Transcription, Advertising/ Copy- Writing, etc, where a
promising career awaits them. This article aims to spread awareness among both students and
teachers about these New Age career options generally, and more specifically focuses on two of
the most promising New Age Careers, namely Instructional Design (I.D.) and Technical Writing.

TAGS: NEW AGE CAREERS, E-LEARNING, INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN (I.D.), TECHNICAL WRITING.

Very often, when students pursuing their graduation or post -graduation, with English as one of
their optional subjects or main subjects, are asked about their future career plans, the most
common answer that comes up is teaching or journalism or conducting Spoken English classes.
There seems to be very little or no knowledge about the immense job opportunities that the
globalized market place has thrown up. A couple of years ago, if one were to tell people that
he/she was opting for the Arts faculty, he/she would be sure to invite disapproving looks. Not
anymore. Students from the humanities side never had a better time in terms of the job
opportunities, what with the array of job options available to them as a result of the IT boom. Yet
it becomes imperative to spread awareness about these job openings so that students don’t lose
out on them only because of ignorance. This is what this article aims to do.

What’s so ‘new’ about these career options, one would ask. It is the convergence of globalization,
better IT infrastructure, and better application of existing technologies to newer areas, which is
making these new vistas available. To understand the emergence of these new age career options,
a brief background would prove handy. In 1991, India decided to switch over to a Free Market
economy or a globalized economy that was integrated with the global economy to a far greater
extent than before. Subsequently large multinational corporations like IBM, Texas Instruments,
and Accenture realized that it made economic sense to outsource many of their activities to
countries like India, China, Brazil, etc where the same activity could be done in say 1/3rd of what
it would take in the US. The boom that began with software development is rapidly spreading to
newer and newer domains like E Learning, Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO), Legal
Process Outsourcing (LPO), Medical Transcription, Advertising/ Copy- Writing, etc. India with
its huge pool of English-speaking skilled personnel has a distinct advantage over countries like
China. Cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi are rapidly becoming new
hubs of the knowledge-based economy. India has the potential of becoming a global knowledge
power.

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 ‘But, what’s there in it for me?’ a student studying English would ask. The answer is very simple.
There is a world of opportunity just waiting to be explored. All that is needed is a reasonably
good proficiency in written and spoken English, basic computer literacy (MS WORD/ Internet),
good analytical skills, clarity in thinking, visualizing ideas, etc. Anybody who fulfills the above
criteria stands a good chance of getting employed in any of these sunshine careers.

Let’s take an in-depth look at two of the most promising among these new age careers, namely
Instructional Design/E learning & Technical Writing. To start with let’s distinguish between
Instructional Design and E learning. E -learning is a very generalized term used to refer to any
form of learning that uses electronic resources, and would typically include computer /web based
training, video-broadcasts of lessons, pod-casts of educational material, etc. Whereas
Instructional design focuses more on computer /web based training, where an Instructional
Designer (ID) designs educational content for any training program. It could be a training
module on how to use a mobile phone to any management topic. It covers any topic under the
sun! E-learning allows companies to provide advanced computer based training to their partners,
clients, customers, and employees easily and quickly. As per the latest estimates, E learning is a
$107 billion industry (approximately) worldwide1, and India accounts for merely around $ 1.2
billion2 of it. To put things in perspective, India accounts for less than 2% of the total e-learning
business worldwide. So one can very easily gauge the job opportunities waiting to be tapped!

Technical Writing

Let’s begin with Technical Writing. In very simple terms Technical Writing is all about
providing the documentation needed for any new product. To give an example, after the
coder/programmer has written a software program, he/she describes it in very general terms. It is
the Technical Writer’s job to develop an instructional manual, which would make the program
easy and accessible for the end-user. The information that we get on clicking the HELP icon that
we very commonly use is prepared by a team of Technical Writers. Most companies use MS-
WORD or tools like Robo -Frame-maker. (No need to get scared because companies train
candidates once they hire them). Almost every IT company has a couple of posts for Technical
Writers, and this should give you an idea about the job prospects. Besides, many companies
routinely send their Technical Writers abroad for on-site/ off shore assignments. Many
technology-based companies hire Technical Writers primarily on the basis of their writing skills,
but it helps if you have some technical background to get started in a technology-based company.
Good writing skills are essential for getting entry into the field. You should be able to write
concisely and to the point. Brevity in writing and correct grammar is critical for technical
writing. Actually Technical writers can get paid more than Instructional Designers depending on
their technical capabilities. Before moving on to Instructional Design, it would be worthwhile to

1
http://elearningindustry.com/elearning-statistics-and-facts-for-2015

2
http://www.thelearnedman.com/2005/06/post.html
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point out that Instructional Design is seen as a wider discipline of which Technical Writing or
Documentation is a part. It means that a trained ID can work as a Technical writer as well.

Instructional Design (I.D.)

In simple terms, Instructional Design is defined as a systematic approach to planning and

producing effective instructional materials. Instructional Design is based on theoretical and
practical research in the areas of cognition, educational psychology, and problem solving.

Though ID can be applied to any learning environment, it is predominantly used for creating
e-learning and online learning courses. E-learning courses are a purposeful amalgamation of
learning content and technology. The e-learning will encourage effective presentation of learning
content and interactions such as discussions, simulations, assessments, feedback and more using
the technology. The following reasons have made e-learning created through ID process grow in
demand in this information era:
 Richer learning through higher interaction
 More specific to the learning goal and objectives
 Better transparency
 Can accommodate larger number of students
 Learning on demand – anywhere, anytime
 Better measurement of learning progress
 Flexibility – just in time & just enough learning for Adult learners
 Easy to upgrade the courses with the changing times.

The best example of the popularity of Instructional Design- based E-Learning courses is the
Symbiosis Centre of Distance Learning (S.C.D.L.) a Pune-based Online E-learning Services
provider which has more than One Lac students enrolled in its various courses worldwide. The
need for instructional designers is being noticed in e-learning – both in corporate training
departments and educational institutions. It is one of the fastest growing fields in the IT world.
With a growth in the outsourcing of Instructional Designing work, there are already about 5,000
Instructional Designers in India. As more outsourcing work pours in, there would be demand for
thousands of instructional designers in the country. The Technical Writers of India Network
(TWIN) has more than 19000 members 3. So together the total number of IDs/Technical Writers
in India is about 24000 or so and the number is growing by the day. However industry experts
state that there is an acute shortage of people with good language skills required for both these
type of jobs. This is precisely the opportunity which students of English should make the most
of.

Whom is a career in Instructional Design most suitable for? In order to determine this, one
needs to answer a few questions:

Can you speak reasonably clearly in English?

Are you a good listener? Can you write correctly in English?
3
http://www.twin-india.org/
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 Can you explain things in a concise, clear way that flows smoothly?
Do you love expressing yourself in writing?
Do you put extra effort to understand people with various levels of communication?
Are you an observant person who pays attention to detail?
Are you open to ideas that could be completely contradictory to your own thinking?
Do you have good analytical skills and love solving problems?
Do you have basic computer skills and MS Office skills?

If answer to most of these questions is “Yes”, you may do well as an Instructional Designer.
Basically you need to have good writing skills. This is most critical to get into instructional
design job. Without good writing skills, it will be difficult to get into the role of an ID. Writing
skills are typically what is tested by companies for taking on new IDs. Having subject knowledge
helps but is not essential for getting started in the field of Instructional Design. However, it is
possible that IT companies may prefer people with technical background for an ID role. They
may hire someone without a technical background if the person has enough experience in
developing technical content. Some other skills are also helpful. Besides your passion to learn
and help others learn, some educational/training background surely helps. Interpersonal and team
work skills are also essential as you will be working with the subject experts, learners (students)
and other team members. IDs are also expected to be familiar with the latest technologies in
learning with the ability to design and edit electronic media. The internet offers many free
resources to read and learn about Instructional design. Not to mention the blogs written by
instructional designers themselves.

A question that is asked very commonly is ‘what exactly do Instructional designers do?’
Instructional designers apply the art and science of Instructional design to create a learning
environment that will bring the learner from the state of not being able to accomplish certain
tasks to the state of being able to accomplish those tasks.
Typically Instructional designers:
 Work with Subject Matter Experts (S.M.E.s) to identify what students need to learn.
 Develop objectives and ensure content matches those objectives
 Revise and rewrite content to shape it for learning needs
 Structure content and activities for student learning
 Create media to support learning (e.g., visual aids for face-to-face, various multimedia for
e-learning and online)
 Develop assessments (note that this does not only mean tests)
 Adapt instructional materials created for one format to another format (usually this is
adapting materials from face-to-face to e-learning)

A lot of people would like to figure out if Instructional Design is a good “fit” as a career for
them. This is less about the skills and more about the desire; it’s about figuring out if someone
would be happy working as an instructional designer. A fair number of Instructional Designers
are those who have switched from teaching to ID. An important consideration for teachers and
trainers who are used to being up in front of a room full of people is how they would feel not
having direct interaction with students. If you’re thinking about a career in Instructional Design,
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ask yourself: ‘will I be happy working “behind the scenes” instead of directly with students?’ If
the answer is no, then maybe this isn’t the right fit for you. Of course, there are positions that
combine instructional design with student interaction.

Working “behind the scenes” doesn’t mean you don’t work with people though. Building
relationships with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) is an important part of what IDs do. Knowing
how to work with content experts and guide them through the course development process is
crucial. Every organization has different expectations for how IDs and SMEs work together, but
this is often a close collaborative relationship. If you hate having someone else act as the expert,
you probably won’t enjoy being an ID; an ID’s job is supposed to be an expert in designing the
learning, (usually) and not expert in the content. Being an instructional designer means that one
is always learning something new. That seems to be a common characteristic of instructional
designers and the opportunity to continuously learn is a benefit of the job.

A note of caution is in order. It is not easy training to be an Instructional Designer. Experts say it
could take anywhere between six months to two years to get a clear understanding of actual ID.
This is over and above your core training. And the training never ceases. Veterans in this industry
need to constantly update themselves with what is happening in the field. According to Chris
Tuckers, an experienced ID would need to spend a good amount every year to buy ID books to
upgrade their skills. There are web resources and online international universities too that offer
courses for experienced IDs.

A common question that many students might have is ‘Do freshers stand a chance of getting
selected?” The answer is yes. Hiring freshers in Instructional Design makes sense though it is
contrary to the corporate thinking. There are many reasons for this. One very important reason is
that freshers plunge headlong into this field with an open mindset, are willing to learn and
understand the nuances of instructional design. Many companies prefer a hands-on approach for
selected candidates and that offers a fresh perspective into what works in training and what
doesn’t. Another area where freshers score is their ability to spot problems in the
process. Freshers are often found to be good judges of processes or training methodologies that
work. Freshers always think beyond rules and regulations that constrain an experienced person.
Freshers have a high risk taking capacity. Freshers are not bound by barriers. They are not drilled
into long-standing systems, long-held assumptions and regulations. They have a high level of
enthusiasm and are always willing to try new things. This enables them to identify highly
creative solutions to difficult problems undeterred by potential roadblocks in the implementation
process. Since freshers aren’t constrained by rules, regulations and processes of Instructional
Design, they are usually good at projects that require creativity and enthusiasm. Freshers are
more energetic and proactively jump into learning new skills, processes and methodologies.
They improve group dynamics that lead to a better, happier, and more energetic workplace.

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Given all these reasons it is hardly surprising that most companies hiring IDs prefer rank
freshers.

Though the hierarchy and the pay package varies from company to company, generally
speaking, the hierarchy in the world of ID is as follows: One begins as a Content writer (1 lac-1.2
lac p.a) and moves on to becoming a Trainee ID writer ( pay package of 1.5 lac-2.4 lac p.a) in 6
months to a year. A trainee ID can become a Senior ID (4-6 lac p.a.) in 3-4 years or even earlier
depending upon his/her performance. A Senior ID can hope to become an Assistant Manager or
Manager (10-12 lac p.a) after putting in 5-8 years or so. The topmost level is when experts in ID
become Consultants (15-20 lacs) after around a decade or so in the ID industry.

The next logical question would be ‘how does one goes about becoming an ID or a Technical
Writer? There are two ways to do so. The first is to do a course offered by some University or
private company. At present courses are offered by SNDT University’s Dept. of Educational
Technology (Online Certificate Course in ID- only for women), Symbiosis Centre for Distance
Learning (Online Certificate & Diploma Courses in ID), University of Pune (Diploma Course in
Technical Writing), a Pune based company called Technowrites (Certificate & Diploma Courses
in Technical Writing), a Hyderabad based company called ELearning Solutions, and a Bangalore
based company called 4c Learning. (This is just a general list and not comprehensive in nature)
The second way is to join a company, which will then provide an on-the-job training.
Interestingly, a majority of people presently employed as Technical writers/IDs have had no
formal training!

Given that all these new and upcoming areas are all there for grabs, students of English should
take up the challenge, and go for it. They just need to think beyond the conventional jobs
available to them, and shed the mental block of venturing into a new area. One does understand
the rationale behind sticking to tried and tested jobs like say teaching, but one simple question
that one needs to ask is: are there adequate teaching jobs for everybody? This should clinch the
deal, I would think! For those who are still not convinced, I leave you with my favourite lines
from Kipling’s poem ‘IF’:

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds worth of distance…Run…
Yours is the earth and everything in it.
And what is more: You’ll be a man my son….

References:
http://manishmo.blogspot.in/
http://blog.thewritersgateway.com/
http://blogs.articulate.com/rapid-elearning/
http://www.elearninglearning.com/
http://discovery-thru-elearning.blogspot.in/
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/sat.html
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http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/InstructionalDesign.htm
http://elearningtech.blogspot.in/

Brief Information about the author: The author is an Associate Professor in the Department of
English, Fergusson College, Pune. He has an experience of 18 years of teaching, and he also
does Career Counseling on an informal basis. He is the Placement Coordinator for the English
Dept., Fergusson College. His areas of interest are use of Technology in Teaching,
Contemporary Literary Criticism, International Affairs, Interdisciplinary Studies, and E.L.L.T.

Email: The author can be contacted at thakur.shardool@gmail.com