Ever wondered how a teacher’s instincts translate into real business value? We sit down with Jessica Smith, a former secondary Spanish teacher turned corporate instructional designer at ADP, to unpack the exact moves that make the leap from education to L&D not just possible, but powerful. From scoping with SMEs to beating scope creep, Jessica shows how to define clear performance outcomes, audit existing materials, and pick formats that fit the workflow instead of slowing it down.

If you’re curious about transitioning to corporate instructional design, you will get a concrete seven-day plan: scan job descriptions to map skills, test-drive tools with free trials, build a tiny practice project on a topic you love, and connect with mentors and communities on LinkedIn. You’ll hear why employers often value thinking and process over polish, how to structure stakeholder check-ins to prevent last-minute surprises, and the mindset shift that keeps you adaptable when tools change.

Join us for a candid, practical roadmap to modern L&D, rooted in the same core insight that drives great teaching: know what the learner needs to do, then remove everything that gets in the way. If this conversation sparks ideas, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a review to help more educators find their path into L&D.

📢 Call-to-Action: Are you thinking of moving from the academic world to learning and design in the private sector? You have transferable skills!

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