How to Become an Instructional Designer in 2026 | Live Workshop and Q&A

Applications for the first Peck Academy cohort of the year are now open. If you’re serious about making the transition into instructional design with the right structure and feedback, you can learn more or apply here 👉 https://www.peckacademy.com

If you’re trying to figure out how to become an instructional designer in 2026, this workshop will help you decide whether this path actually makes sense for you and what it really takes to break in today.

In this live session, I walk through what has changed in the instructional design job market, what hasn’t, and why a lot of the advice that used to work no longer does.

We’ll talk honestly about the current hiring bar, why so many portfolios blend in, and what hiring managers are actually looking for now.

I also share why this journey is harder than most people expect, where candidates typically get stuck, and how structure and feedback can dramatically change your odds.

In the second half of the video, we answer live questions about portfolios, AI, transitioning from other roles, and whether instructional design is still a viable career in 2026.

If you’re looking for clarity and you’re willing to do the work required to stand out, this session will give you a realistic picture of the path forward.

👉 Explore the curriculum or apply here: https://www.peckacademy.com

👉 Attend a live program tour: https://calendly.com/peckconsulting/p...

#InstructionalDesign #Elearning

Using the affiliate links below will help support me and the content on this channel:

**Best AI Tools for Instructional Designers**
Synthesia: https://www.synthesia.io/?via=devlin
WellSaid Labs: https://www.wellsaidlabs.com/?via=devlin
Descript: https://www.descript.com/?lmref=jJTSTA
Jasper: https://jasper.ai/?fpr=devlin44
Riverside: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaig...

**Best Laptops for Instructional Designers**
Dell XPS 13: https://amz.run/6l1w
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**Best Books for Instructional Designers**
The Non-Designer’s Design Book: https://amzn.to/3kP0reO
Map It: https://amzn.to/3f137mR
eLearning and the Science of Instruction: https://amzn.to/3kNuBiF
Design For How People Learn: https://amzn.to/3CLtrNM
Michael Allen’s Guide to eLearning: https://amzn.to/31ZUbJB

00:00 What Has Changed (and What Hasn’t) in 2026
01:44 The Instructional Design Job Market Reality
03:48 The Real Problem in 2026 Sameness
04:22 What People Were Told to Do
05:38 Why This Advice Worked
06:08 Why This Advice Breaks Down Now
07:25 The 2026 Hiring Bar
08:10 Judgment
09:20 Proof of Thought
10:30 Business Context
12:00 Smart Use of AI
13:40 Comfort with Ambiguity
15:30 The Pattern
16:45 The Hidden Risks
18:36 DIY vs Structured Support
19:30 Why Peck Academy Exists
37:25 Do I Need to Quit My Job to Transition into ID
39:05 How Long Does the Transition Actually Take
40:28 What If My Background Isn’t Instructional Design
42:05 Can I Break In Without Corporate ID Experience
43:33 How Much Does Portfolio Quality Really Matter
45:10 What Makes a Portfolio Stand Out in 2026
45:54 How Should Beginners Use AI Without Over Relying on It
47:35 Is the Market Too Saturated Right Now
48:40 Is Instructional Design Still Worth It Long Term
50:55 What’s the Biggest Mistake Career Changers Make
52:10 Final Advice for Breaking In Without Burning Out