The big question: making a start in e-learning

In the Learning Circuits Blog, the big question for October is "I'm interested in a career in e-learning. What should I do first?"

My first recommendation would be to decide where it is that you see yourself fitting into the e-learning landscape - as a manager, a consultant, a salesperson for a vendor, a designer, a developer, or a moderator/instructor? You also need to be clear whether you see yourself working primarily in education or in workplace learning, as there are considerable differences in the approaches that each of these sectors adopts when it comes to the use of technology.

Once you know where you'd like to fit in, you should consider whether to undertake some formal education or training that's appropriate for your role. The sources for this will vary enormously from country to country. If you prefer a more informal, self-directed approach, start reading books, blogs and magazines and attending conferences.

Most importantly you need to get connected with others in the industry. There are informal ways of doing this, but I'd also recommend joining the main e-learning associations, i.e. eLearning Guild, wherever you are in the world, as well as the eLearning Network (workplace learning) or the Association for Learning Technology (education), if you're based in Europe. There will, of course, be other local options, but it definitely pays to keep an international perspective.

Not forgetting the top priority, which is to gain as much practical experience as possible, ideally working alongside others who can model best practice.