From Teaching to Tech Q&A with Joanna Cappuccilli

TL;DR

• Joanna Cappuccilli shares her successful journey from teaching to tech as an Instructional Designer at Amazon Web Services.

Transcript

all right hi everybody thank you for joining us we are here today with joanna cappuccilli hello hi everyone um so as you probably know joanna transitioned from teaching to tech so she is a curriculum developer at amazon web services now um i first met joanna in the boot camp and saw joanna took feedback really well and kind of went above and beyond... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🔬 Tailoring your resume to match the job descriptions helps improve responses during the job search.
• 👾 Enhancing visual design skills is crucial for building a quality portfolio that stands out in the tech space.
• 📽️ Focus on content like curriculum development and e-learning projects to demonstrate your capabilities as an instructional designer.
• 🥶 Utilize free resources like Canva and online tutorials to improve visual design skills and develop e-learning projects for your portfolio.
• 🎨 Job titles in instructional design and curriculum development often overlap, emphasizing the need to showcase relevant skills for specific job postings.
• 👨‍🔬 Researching job descriptions and company culture is essential to prepare for interviews and highlight skills related to instructional design and tech roles.
• 🆘 Undertaking mock interviews and seeking feedback from peers can help improve interview skills and responses.
• 🔨 Emphasizing quality over quantity in your portfolio and using tools like Articulate Storyline can enhance your chances of success in the ID role transition.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Joanna decide to transition to instructional design from teaching?

Joanna's decision was influenced by her passion for creating learning experiences and incorporating technology, leading her to pursue ID as a dream job.

Q: What challenges did Joanna face during the job search process?

Joanna initially struggled with resume updates and navigating the unfamiliar interview process, leading her to emphasize visual design and refine her portfolio.

Q: How did Joanna tackle phone screen interviews and what skills did she highlight?

Joanna focused on technical ID skills like instructional design theories, e-learning development, and working with subject matter experts to demonstrate her competency during phone screens.

Q: What approach did Joanna take to set salary expectations during the job search?

Initially willing to accept any opportunity, Joanna adjusted her expectations based on her skills and portfolio quality, emphasizing the importance of waiting for the right match.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Joanna's journey involved transitioning from teaching to becoming an instructional designer at Amazon Web Services.

• She faced challenges like updating her resume, preparing for interviews, and finding the right skills.

• By focusing on building a quality portfolio and enhancing visual design skills, she successfully landed an ID role in the tech space.