L&D TOOLS AND PROCESSES CHEAT SHEET
Finding a new career in education takes more than a good resume
At Learning Professional, we use a 3-part framework (check it out for free in the Career Switch Syllabus!) to help teachers confidently transition into corporate Learning & Development roles.
One key part of that framework is understanding the tools and processes used by learning professionals in the workplace—and that’s exactly where this cheat sheet comes in. It’s your quick-start guide to the systems, processes, and foundational terms you’ll need to know to hit the ground running in your L&D career.
imagine how it would feel to:
- Have flexible work hours and the autonomy to take lunches or appointments during your workday
- Work remotely
- Get paid more!
- Take vacations outside of summertime
- Have more variety and creativity in the educational content you're building
- Not always have to be "on"
- Not have to do active shooter drills at work
- Finally feel ready to take the next steps toward freedom & flexibility!
Not only is this possible, but I did it and I can help you do it, too.
NICE TO MEET YOU
I'm Holly Garlow
I help teachers leave their burned-out lives behind and find new careers using their extensive skills and experience. I know how many jobs you do in just one role and how much work it is because I was there myself.
As a former high school teacher, I am familiar with the resentment loop you might be experiencing. You've reached your limit, yet your love for your students keeps you going. This passion for teaching compels you to stay, but you struggle to maintain a work-life balance. Rinse and repeat.
I left teaching in 2014 without knowing what I’d be doing next. Through courage, risk, and uncertainty, my journey eventually led me to Instructional Design. Since leaving the teaching profession, I’ve been an Instructional Designer for four companies, each with some form of advancement, and I’ve never looked back.
"Holly's guidance and feedback made all the difference in my shift from classroom teacher to instructional designer. Her industry knowledge and experience gave me the confidence I needed in my job search. She saved me so much time and energy by narrowing my focus and "clearing the roadblocks" when I ran into trouble. She is kind, clear, and encouraging with her suggestions. She genuinely wants to help you be successful!"
- Sarah Sabin
Former teacher
Learning Professional at Louisiana State University
INTRODUCING THE
learning & development
tools and processes
cheat sheet
This cheat sheet is your go-to guide for understanding the tools, processes, and learning theories that are essential in the world of Learning & Development. It’s designed to give you a clear starting point as you prepare to transition out of the classroom and into a corporate L&D role.
You’ll find quick descriptions, practical use cases, and a breakdown of what you’ll be expected to know. While this resource won’t teach you how to use each tool or apply every concept, it will help you focus your learning and feel more confident about what to explore next.
You will discover:
- The Design tools L&D professionals use to create learning experiences and content
- The L&D processes and workflows that L&D professionals use to identify training needs, design, develop, implement and evaluate learning experiences
- L&D theory that our work is steeped in and created from -- most of which might be a refresher for you as an educator, but shared through the lens of the corporate environment
- Which of these are musts to know as you transition careers, and which are bonus skills and knowledge!
If you're excited to explore a new career but you're overwhelmed with where to begin, this Cheat Sheet is for you!
This cheat sheet Is For You If...
- You’re a teacher exploring a career in corporate Learning & Development but aren’t sure what tools or processes you’ll be expected to know
- You want a clear, simple list of L&D tools, processes, and theory without having to spend hours Googling
- You’re working on your resume, portfolio, or preparing for interviews and want to show that you understand the corporate learning space, not just classroom teaching
- You’re overwhelmed by the tech side of corporate learning and want to know what’s essential (and what’s just nice to have)
-
You want a fast way to level up your confidence before applying to corporate L&D roles.
- You’re looking for guidance from someone who gets what it’s like to transition from teaching into the business world
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS