S1 E21 Finding your Niche
Episode Audio
Cheryl Oberlin shares what she’s been learning about finding your niche in L&D.
Connect with Cheryl on LinkedIn.
Transcript:
The following transcript was auto-generated and may contain typos or spelling errors.
Amy Petricek
Welcome to the share what you learned Podcast. I'm Amy Petricek, a learning enthusiast and the host of the show. The share what you learn podcast is designed for learning professionals to share something they're learning in the field of instructional design. Today, I'm talking to Cheryl Oberlin about finding your niche. Welcome to the show. Cheryl.
Cheryl Oberlin
Thanks, Amy. I appreciate you having me on as a guest today.
Amy Petricek
What a treat. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your professional experience? Maybe so we can get to know you?
Cheryl Oberlin
Sure, absolutely. Right now I'm the Assistant Director for the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communication online graduate programs. Basically, that means I manage an in house team of instructional designers for all of our online graduate programs and certificates. Plus, I'm responsible for their curriculum. And former lives. I've been an English and speech teacher, and also worked at corporate for 15 years. Well, thanks
Amy Petricek
so much for that introduction, Cheryl, it sounds like you have a really cool opportunity to see a lot of different instructional designers, their approaches, how they handle projects, workflows, all of those kinds of things. So it sounds like a really cool place to be.
Cheryl Oberlin
Yeah, absolutely. We have a wide range of ages and ages and creative talents. So it's something new every day. So one of the things
Amy Petricek
or not one of the things, but the thing we're going to talk today about is about finding your niche and learning and development. And I think what you just shared about your professional experience is a great example of that and Nish, like not many people get to be in a position like you and oversee a handful of instructional designers all doing different kinds of workflows and things. So I definitely want to go down that path. But let's kind of start at the beginning and talk about what what do you mean by niche? And why is finding your nice niche important?
Cheryl Oberlin
Sure, absolutely. Well, normally, if you think about it, a niche is important for folks in the business world, because they want to find a unique offering that they can take the market that places them in a sweet spot, so to speak. No one else offers their product or service. So there's a little competition, and they can maximize their sales. But in terms of instructional design, my thought of a niche is a portion of the industry where you want to focus your positive energies to help people in some form or fashion. For example, if you want to help students, you're likely go to education like I did, if you want to help corporate employees, there's a wide variety of industries you can specialize in. And he serves as a concentration almost for you to sharpen your skills in relation to one specific area like instructional design.
Amy Petricek
So I'm thinking about when I was early on in my job search, I was brought umbrella learning and development. And what I learned in that is, when you're broad like that, and just learning and development, sometimes it's hard to find, it's almost like you're too general, and you don't have enough specifics. And so it's hard to kind of prove to a hiring manager that you would be a good fit, because they're not convinced that you want that job. You're just kind of like a catch all. And so what I like that you're calling out about instructional designers, there is actually like a niche pathway to get in to instructional design, maybe pathways, not the best word, but in terms of like a unique skill set a unique set of tools, a unique understanding of learning enablement, those kinds of things. And I think that's it's not something that's necessarily talked about a whole lot. And I think you're putting really clear language to that thing that's not talked about a lot. So how do you think someone can figure out their niche? Do you have any tips or tricks or recommendations for somebody to figure that out? I mean, I figured out mine was instructional design, you found your niche? What's a good pathway to discover
Cheryl Oberlin
that? Absolutely. I think finding a niche is through trial and error. This is one reason why I have three master's degrees. I thought I'd love to be in business project management. Once I got in the MBA classes, I found out it was analytical, no creative and involves way too much math. So I thought that's not gonna work. Those are not my strong suits, after the MBA received a master's in structural design in education technology. And I found out that I love love, love that field, so to speak. However, at the time, I thought that I would be a doer of instructional design. So with practice through freelancing, I found out that I'm a much better ID Manager than the actual instructional designer. My specialty is to help others by supporting them and providing them with resources. So they're successful in their job. So basically, I found this out through trial and error,
Amy Petricek
I will advocate or second that you are really good at supporting people that's so many ways in spaces I've seen you show up in supportive people. And so I will absolutely second that that you found your niche. Thank you. But I also like that you're calling out the trial and error factor. I think a lot of people go to school and assume I got this degree. I know where I'm wrong. Like just next logical step, next logical step. And I think some people do experience that. I think there's also a lot, a lot of professionals who get out there and figure it out, kind of like you were saying, and I know, I have both been career pivots, that different seasons in life and so honoring that process to me. I mean, it makes my heart happy for a lot of reasons. But the big one being like we're learning professionals, so we understand the learning process and like the learning process is not getting something right the first time it's having an opportunity to learn something to flex it new muscle to try something and maybe get it wrong, but you're in a safe space to do that.
Cheryl Oberlin
Right. And it's constant improvement, you know, self improvement, knowledge improvement, skill set improvement. That's the way I see it. Kind of
Amy Petricek
piggybacking off of that what are some places you point people because you're, you're the resource queen to I'm also give you that shout out? What were some places or spaces you point people as they're looking at gaining some of those skills?
Cheryl Oberlin
I always send them to a site that's owned by Sarah, the teaching and teaching and learning path teaching a path to l&d. Yeah, that's it, I was pointing toward Sarah's teaching a path L and D, because there's a monumental amount of free resources on that website. And it can really help people understand what the position is. Because lots of people come into a blind and don't know what it is. make assumptions and then find out too late that they're wrong after they've spent money on an academy are a training or certificate. At least this way, you're in a community of folks who are experienced in it many mentors, and they can help you find your way. I
Amy Petricek
love that resource as well. I'll be sure to include it in the show notes. If you're listening and aren't familiar with this, you're missing out. Sarah stebic Has this community called teaching a path to l&d, a community of people looking to transition out of the classroom teaching and into mostly instructional design, but other roles as well. And she has compiled a list of free resources galore that include everything from certifications to courses to webinars just to Cheryl's saying, like, it's even going to use the words like risk free in the sense, you just try it out, try it on, see if you like it, see if it fits.
Cheryl Oberlin
Yeah, she also has free workshops too. So if you want to know how to change your resume, they want to know what what a portfolio is and how to create one, she has free workshops where you can learn information about those kinds of things.
Amy Petricek
Another tip I will also advise is identify people on LinkedIn, who have identified as an expert in something. So if they post a lot about Adobe products, or if they post a lot about stakeholder management, it's a good cue that like, oh, this person is one just a good person to follow, because you're going to be getting a lot of content that they're putting out there. But also to if you have a question, you can always ping them on LinkedIn and ask them they may not answer but they also might where the learning development field is full of helpful people.
Cheryl Oberlin
Yeah, and that's exactly how I came to know a lot of people in this field was just following them on LinkedIn watching what they do, and conference presentations, going to their webinars, just really getting to know them, and what their what their expertise was. I can also
Amy Petricek
Attest to this. She's been a lot of places. There was a season where we both be like, Oh, we're in this webinar, hope we're in this class together and just continue to find ourselves in the same spaces.
Cheryl Oberlin
Yeah, absolutely. It's because I love learning. So the three master's degree part, right? Yes, three master's degree and contemplating the free doctorate. So
Amy Petricek
Bravo, I'm behind you. I'm cheering for you.
Cheryl Oberlin
My husband rolled his eyes.
Amy Petricek
Again, but it's free. This one was free. This one will be free. Right?
Cheryl Oberlin
Exactly. And I said you can't pass up Dr. Oberlin just rolled is
Amy Petricek
that we're piggybacking off that last bit, you were just saying not about the part about your husband rolling his eyes, but about LinkedIn and things. I'm curious what role networking could play in finding your niche. And what you'd have to say about that.
Cheryl Oberlin
Sir, networking to me is very vital when you're searching for the right fit. Basically, trying to find your niche, you need help from the other experts, it's helpful to make the connections and learn what others do in their jobs for that specific area interest. Plus, as I said, looking up, or going to conference presentations or workshops. Seeing people give these presentations is another way a great way to determine if you're interested and even passionate about a field. You never know if you're going to meet someone who can help you find a job facilitate a job interview, or even import, even pointing in the directions of upscaling was a credible vendor. And I say credible for a reason, because there's lots of people out there who will try to take your money and have no qualms about it. So make sure you're searching for a credible, credible vendor and there's leading experts in your field of interest. They've already found their niche. So talk to them and find out if it would be a good fit for you talk about your strengths talk about your weaknesses. Over 80 People transfer from teaching to in the classroom, working in Structural Design or other communications fields, I've mentored them. And as they built their skill set really coach them on finding their passion. Some were fit for what they originally thought would be their niche, and others found out they didn't really like that. And they found another fit. And some of them are still searching,
Amy Petricek
but a cool track record, you sit at people you have transitioned
Cheryl Oberlin
at folks over the last few years who wanted to leave the classroom and move into a different field.
Amy Petricek
Very cool. What would you say in terms of those initial connections that you make with people, whether it be running into them at a conference or participating in their webinars seeing them on LinkedIn, we've all heard and I think everyone can pretty much be in agreement that if you start with an ask, just go straight into like, Hey, can you help me with this? Or hey, can you mentor it usually doesn't go well. So what are some ways to kind of bridge that? Yeah,
Cheryl Oberlin
well, one of the best ways I think, is to read their information, watch their presentations, go to their website, go to their blog, find something that you know, that they're passionate about, that you can connect with. And just send them a note saying, Hey, I noticed that you're very passionate about helping students I am as well, I'd love to connect with you. And leave it at that. And see if they come back to you most likely looks at your connection. Because if you start out with a sales pitch that you want them to buy your product or want them to mentor you, people are going to close the door on you really fast. So try to create and cultivate a relationship is the first first two steps.
Amy Petricek
I always think of that. The phrase like most my mom said it most moms say like Do unto others as you want them to do onto you, you know, that model have you had in your LinkedIn inbox or your email inbox where someone just pings you immediately with? Can you help me with this? Can you do that? And you're like, just rubbed the wrong way? A little bit?
Cheryl Oberlin
Yeah, absolutely.
Amy Petricek
What I hear you saying is really connecting with a person first, doing your research, identifying their passions,
Cheryl Oberlin
right, I get a lot of requests to have virtual coffee, or virtual tea or soda. And those kind of turned me off. I'll be honest, because I don't know this person. I don't, they don't know anything about me. And they're wanting to, you know, sit down on Zoom and have a conversation. Well, I don't really have anything to talk about to them, too. So if they create a relationship with me and try to cultivate it, maybe in a month or two down the road, that would be a perfectly fine, you know, activity is to have a virtual coffee with them. But initially right out of the out right out of the gate. That's something that turns me off.
Amy Petricek
One last question for you here. Cheryl, do you think that you need a niche to get a good fit job,
Cheryl Oberlin
I think you need a nice to have a solid career and to contribute to the planet in a way that you are passionate about. It also helps for you to love what you do when you're searching for that perfect job. For example, I worked in corporate for many years before I decided I really hated it. Because everyone is concerned with the bottom line of the dollar related to revenue. My question was always about what about helping the people, I found out that that's not top of mine in corporate, but it is in higher education. So helping students as what we do in higher education, and my fit my niche is working for a post secondary institution. And ensuring my team creates top notch courses that will help learners be successful. I can
Amy Petricek
13:13
speak personally, when I found my niche. I found my favorite job. Yeah, exactly. Me too. You're in the right place doing the right thing, and totally in love with it all. Because every part of your professional world feels in alignment.
Cheryl Oberlin
Yeah, I mean, you work a really hard day and you can get exhausted. But you know, at the end of the day, I'm working my dream job. And I still say I can't believe they're paying me for
Amy Petricek
this. Well, we did talk about that before we hit record. And I was just so happy for you that you're in a place where you're parenting that alignment, found your niche in your groove and just loving it. So congratulations.
Cheryl Oberlin
Yeah, I appreciate it. Thank you. One of my great stories regarding to you f is and I went to school there in 1986. And I had a wonderful time and a 1.5 GPA. So I got kicked out. And you know, here I am coming back however many decades later, and teaching there and working there as an assistant director. So it's kind of funny and kind of a great note and a good way
Amy Petricek
Come full circle and seeing both that you were talking about earlier, the you know, kind of success and failure of the learning process and adults like you've seen both sides at University of Florida and
Cheryl Oberlin
absolutely, absolutely.
Amy Petricek
Let's go ahead and transition over to the Rapid Round. I'm going to start off with something that you get to fill in the blank Sharyl learning is continual. I wholeheartedly agree this one I'm excited because I don't know where you're gonna go with this. When you're mustering up the courage to learn something new, What song do you put on there to
Cheryl Oberlin
one is Garth Brooks call in Baton Rouge because it is just fast and catchy. And he talks or sings so really fast in a couple of places that I actually can sing that song along with him and it I don't know it just got It cracks me up and also mellows me out at the same time. And the second one is McGuffey lane, they're in Ohio band, and they have a song called people like you. And it's all about being a nice person being a nice human. And I really like that one too.
Amy Petricek
If you want to know what Cheryl's passions that would be it being a good human in the world and spreading kindness and positivity. That is absolutely. The Garth Brooks though that did throw me for a little bit of a loop. I didn't see that one coming.
Cheryl Oberlin
I love a lot of Garth Brooks OG,
Amy Petricek
you're asked to do a brand new task with a skill set you do not yet have Where do you turn,
Cheryl Oberlin
I'd turn to LinkedIn. You know, there's so many LinkedIn learning videos, and they're all you know, free. And people on they're just really experts, you can track them down in their field, you can go to their own websites, their own blogs and find out information for free as well.
Amy Petricek
It's a landmine, like in a good way. There's so much stuff in there. If you're willing to look, search, connect with the right people agree without learning fill in the rest,
Cheryl Oberlin
the world would be stagnant, boring place,
Amy Petricek
well share, what's the best way for my listeners to be in contact with you after the show? And is there anything that you're working on that you'd like to share about?
Cheryl Oberlin
Well, my director and I just put our first DevLearn proposal in so keep your fingers crossed for me say all kinds of good, good prayers, and hopefully, I'll be able to see all of you at DevLearn in Vegas in October.
Amy Petricek
How exciting. That's a huge monumental thing. Congrats.
Cheryl Oberlin
We're pretty excited about it. So hopefully, fingers crossed, and folks can contact me Of course on LinkedIn, or at the University of Florida. Just see oberlin@ufl.edu
Amy Petricek
Cheryl, thank you so much for sharing all about finding your niche with us today. I also want to give a shout out to you my listeners for learning with us. Until next time, stay open, receptive and kind.