Teaching is a critical role in society. Teaching nurtures the next generation of learners and, in return, enhances the teacher’s skills. At Udacity, our world-class instructors bring enduring value to our students. And in the process of teaching their expertise to others, our instructors are given the chance to sharpen their skills through new technical and networking opportunities.
Kirk Werner, VP of Content at Udacity, works with our instructors frequently to create content for learners of all abilities and experiences. Werner has more than 20 years of experience working in educational publishing and digital education. He has also worked with some of the largest and most successful companies from McGraw-Hill Education to lynda.com/LinkedIn.
In this article, he offers insight into how being an instructor at Udacity is an opportunity for career development, relationship building and personal growth.
Teaching at Udacity Provides Unique Opportunities for Growth
Udacity uses the best subject matter experts (SMEs) to create projects and content for our Nanodegree programs. The Content team, supported by Werner, collaborates with instructors and industry professionals to build programs that lift students into better professional circumstances.
“Our instructors are subject matter experts in their field, and through working on our courses, they are provided with an opportunity to interact with other SMEs outside of their own organization,” said Werner. These interactions expose the instructors to new ways of thinking that they might not get in their regular day-to-day work.
Additionally, the process of building a Nanodegree program requires outside-of-the-box thinking. The instructors create projects that mirror real-world experiences while also highlighting critical job skills. Building these projects can help a student be ready for their new job in the tech industry and give instructors a way to grow in their own professional experiences.
Werner said this work can open doors, including “taking on additional programs, being hired as an independent consultant for projects separate from Udacity, or even be recruited for a full-time employment opportunity.” Working as an online instructor adds a new depth and breadth of experience that facilitates growth.
Udacity Instructors Drive Digital Transformation
If you want to be a part of the future of work and the cutting edge of technology in education, teaching at Udacity is a great way to get involved.
“Instructors are driving digital transformation through thought leadership, helping to evangelize their field and training the next generation of professionals in their roles now and in the future, ” said Werner.
“Udacity Instructors truly have a hands-on role in shaping the future.”
Beyond creating the content for Udacity courses, instructors are also encouraged to get involved with the student community by participating in Udacity webinars, writing blogs and engaging in online conversations.
Werner stated, “Because Udacity is building content for the technologies of tomorrow, instructors are being asked to think about and craft their content to demonstrate how an enterprise will use the technology and skills to change their organization, products and teams to be successful in the technologies of the 21st century.”
This kind of engagement not only helps solidify instructors as leaders in digital transformation, but also helps the tech community as a whole grow and transform. “The more that instructors lean into this opportunity, the better,” said Werner. “Because transformation is not an event — it’s a long-term relationship that never ends.”
Shape the Future — Become a Instructor at Udacity
Being an instructor is one of the most fulfilling choices for a career. For Werner, he loves that teaching at Udacity is a practical way to prove expertise in your field, but also because his skills are being used to empower others to land their dream jobs. As a teacher, you can boost others who take what they learn from you, transform it and continue to build on it.
Does this sound like a great next step for you? Become a Udacity Instructor today!
This blog post would not have been possible without the help of Britney Cooper, Udacity Instructor Partnerships and Success. Thanks Britney!
