Most every driven professional comes to the same conclusion when it comes to learning, it must always be present. Life, as well as business, is steeped in the promise of change. Most everyone at a certain point realizes that change is necessary. Shahwar Amin '22, Learning and Performance Technology, realized this early on and has never looked back.
"I found my passion in instructional design, and I'm so happy I did. It's a very good thing to do something that you really enjoy. And this program helped me gather the right tools to do it well. Studying instructional design at UMBC was a very positive experience for me. I feel refreshed now, and feel I want to start all over again!"
About UMBC's Graduate Programs in Learning and Performance Technology
Learning and Performance Technology (formerly ISD) is one of UMBC’s most established graduate programs. Our online certificate and Master’s programs provide an innovative and engaging curriculum. We offer all courses in an online format to accommodate the schedules of busy working professionals. If you are interested in designing, delivering, supporting, and measuring training, learning, and performance within organizations the LAPT graduate program at UMBC will prepare you to claim your future.
Most every driven professional comes to the same conclusion when it comes to learning, it must always be present. Life, as well as business, is steeped in the promise of change. Most everyone at a certain point realizes that change is necessary. Shahwar Amin '22, Learning and Performance Technology, realized this early on and has never looked back.
"I found my passion in instructional design, and I'm so happy I did. It's a very good thing to do something that you really enjoy. And this program helped me gather the right tools to do it well. Studying instructional design at UMBC was a very positive experience for me. I feel refreshed now, and feel I want to start all over again!"
About UMBC's Graduate Programs in Learning and Performance Technology
Learning and Performance Technology (formerly ISD) is one of UMBC’s most established graduate programs. Our online certificate and Master’s programs provide an innovative and engaging curriculum. We offer all courses in an online format to accommodate the schedules of busy working professionals. If you are interested in designing, delivering, supporting, and measuring training, learning, and performance within organizations the LAPT graduate program at UMBC will prepare you to claim your future.
Dennise Cardona 0:01
Welcome to this episode of UMBC Mic'd Up. My name is Dennise Cardona from the Office of Professional Programs. We are joined by a recent graduate of our Learning and Performance Technology Graduate Program, Shahwar Amin. We hope that you enjoy this episode. Welcome to the podcast, Shahwar! It's so wonderful to have you here with us today.
Shahwar 0:22
The pleasure is mine. I'm happy to be here.
Dennise Cardona 0:24
Yeah. So you have recently graduated from the Learning and Performance Technology graduate program at UMBC. How does it feel?
Shahwar 0:32
Oh, well, it's awesome. It's a great feeling.
Dennise Cardona 0:36
I can just imagine. I'm thinking about that day, next year when I graduate about how wonderful that will feel. It's a great accomplishment, Shahwar.
Shahwar 0:45
It is, you know, especially when you are a fully you know, you're working full time and you have your hands full. I'm a full time mom as well. I have three boys. So it's, I actually I do have, so it was quite an achievement for me. I'm glad I did.
Dennise Cardona 1:03
Yeah, we had a number of classes together, technology classes. And I thoroughly enjoyed being in class with you. I learned a lot from you. And I think we learned a lot from our fellow peers. It's, it's set up in such a wonderful way to be able to interact with our peers on a weekly basis when we get together with our synchronous class to learn how to use technology. And I just I really enjoyed that class, probably the most those classes, I should say. And I just want to hear a little bit from you about yourself in terms of your professional endeavors and your educational journey that brought you first to UMBC. And secondly, second part of that question, why the Learning and Performance Technology?
Shahwar 1:43
Well, that's a good question. So I enjoyed most of the aspects of the problem that you were just talking about. I've learned a lot from the professors, as well as my peers, because we all come with different backgrounds, different even age groups. So our interests are different. And specializations are different. So we get, the way the program is set up allows us to interact more with each other, know about each other, and benefit from each other's you know, experiences and backgrounds, which was really helpful. The setup of the program itself as online was the kind of things that challenged me, because I haven't done any, you know, fully online classes before, but it turned out to be the best. When I started, it was in COVID. But then, you know, we weren't prepared, we were one of the first to be prepared for the lockdown for saying, and I ended up taking like full time with my job because of COVID. So I ended up this program to be an COVID blessing. Which isn't it. So for my professional development, why I chose this program, it was kind of, you know, to link both backgrounds I have, I have a background of management and without worked with for years. And then when I moved to the United States, I like 10 or 11 years ago, I worked as academic advisor, so I was working on the higher education. And this program seemed to be the perfect, you know, link to get both, you know, both backgrounds, but everything together. Plus I do my job has a lot of advising and coaching. And so, you know, instructional design fell about right the right spot.
Dennise Cardona 3:40
Yeah, I mean, it's, you know, instructional design, the whole field encompasses so many things. It's such a wide, wide field. And you know, you can take any aspect of instructional design and run with it. And so you know, for you academic advising, coaching, counseling, things of that sort, that plays right into working with working within the environment with sneeze with subject matter experts with learning how to talk with people to perform deep analysis on certain projects that you might do.
Shahwar 4:10
Leadership and management in general. And yeah, management in general, is really its instructional design was totally about it. I've learned a lot whether through the adult learning theories, the analysis, the part that really attracted me is the know when we dig for the width data collection tools, how we analyze it, how we just work like reverse osmosis, we just do it all the way from so it's, it was it was really interesting, the journey itself, the learning journey was very interesting. And one thing led to another and it's it came just very smoothly at the end. It was and as I'm telling you at the end of this it felt like management, also. So how would you be convincing a stakeholder or client that this training has succeeded, or recommend the training, I needed the analysis part, which was a very good, I, like enjoyed so much the classes that were oriented towards the data analysis and how to collect data from different sources.
Dennise Cardona 5:26
It's like a puzzle, really. It's like, it's like, you look at a puzzle, it's full of pieces all over all over the place. And as instructional designers, analyzing, talking with clients, things of that sort, doing those deep analysis, the data collection instruments, you start, you start to take the pieces and they start to fit together and you understand and you can see why they're fitting together through that kind of work that you're doing. Exactly,
Shahwar 5:51
exactly. It was, you know, we we've had, I'm sure, not just me you to everyone, those aha moments where, oh, is this this? Is this where it's supposed to be? So it was really a challenging, you know, journey. But a very curious one and very interesting one, to be honest.
Dennise Cardona 6:11
Yeah, I think I'll tell you, one of the greatest things that I'm learning as a student of the program is that it puts on a different hat, a different lens, I look at the world totally differently. Now. Everything, everything, when you really think about it, everything is touched by instructional design, there are so many different aspects of different professions and my day to day job as a marketing person as a podcaster, here at UMBC. All of that requires the skill sets that are required with instructional design to be able to dig deeper to find the answers to figure out what you don't even know like, what prop what problems exist. And unless you put that deep lens on, you start digging for information, you'd never even know they existed. So it's a it's a really cool field to be in.
Shahwar 6:56
Yeah, and you know, and assessing whatever experience learning experience that is done, how do we assess it? How to, how do we ask for it if we need how to know if we really need it? Because a lot within all of this place? And we have, we've been working in seeing that we take many trainings that just go down the drain, and nobody benefits from them. We just take them because checkmarks checkmarks. And that's it. So now I understand why. Why are those trainings going down the drain, what to do to avoid that. And so it's a lot, a lot of action. And some you get a lot of time to self reflect on what you're doing the feedback from professors as well, some of them were really, really helpful.
Dennise Cardona 7:49
You know, what's nice is, you become a student of the universe, if you will, and it's fun, when you've been a professional for however many long however many years you've been a professional, it's kind of fun to put that student hat back on, and to be able to go in there as an intern, to be able to use that experience as playing ground and play the playing field, I should say, to be able to well make mistakes in a safe environment really. And it's it's really a it's a wonderful, wonderful benefit of the program.
Shahwar 8:21
And actually learn new things.
Dennise Cardona 8:23
So many new things, you're you're actually working with clients, and you're learning from that client.
Shahwar 8:30
And at least now I'm not, you know, I know that there are so many technologies, I was so afraid that design technologies, and I really captivate our stories with Captivate learning. It's such a wonderful tool, I would have never there to try it. To be honest, it's seems so good to begin with the beginning, without enrollment, and having you know, this, I wouldn't have done it. At the end of the day I take pride of it. And so in my interviews, now I just, hey, I do Captivate and it's like the top of the line. So it does it does make a difference.
Dennise Cardona 9:09
Absolutely. Now, what did you expect to get out of the program? Was there anything in particular that you when you enrolled in it, you say, I really hope that this comes out of it. XYZ...
Unknown Speaker 9:19
I wanted, you know, to get into more management, education management roles and apply to them. And this is exactly where I am. This is the spot. I'm applying. I'm getting. I'm getting good. I'm getting you know, the because of this program, yes. So everybody when I have an interview, just tell me more about and some of them asked me about not just the master degree, they just even told me about their certificates, graduate certificates, you know, and having no two of them, you can accumulate them while you go. So your CV is receiving credits as you go as you will to the line them to the extent that I did, I'm taking the third one. This fall, I said, why not? I finished everything. I just only have one class left to take it. So I'm gonna take it.
Dennise Cardona 10:10
Excellent.
Shahwar 10:12
I'm still going for the certificate.
Dennise Cardona 10:15
Yeah. Oh, that's great. So you have your masters, but you want to go back and get this certificate?
Shahwar 10:20
Because I have to, I'm going to take the third one in technology, because, you know, it's like, oh, so I want to finish it.
Dennise Cardona 10:26
Yes. And I'm in that class right now. It's the the third technology of the certificate, Instructional Technology Certificate class. And it is fascinating. Oh, my gosh, you've put so much to use in that class. It's all about project management and teaches you the flow of the entire design process from soup to nuts, and you work within a team. And so you're learning from each other. And the product that you come up with at the end is it's just amazing. It really is. It's a great experience. You're going to love that.
Shahwar 10:57
I was actually supposed to take this. I had a lot of work and I needed a break.
Dennise Cardona 11:04
I understand Absolutely. Because it does take time. Now, what did you learn from your fellow students in the program? Like anything like that? You can say like, yeah, you know, if it wasn't for a certain, what did you learn from each other?
Shahwar 11:17
From you, you're one of them! This podcast and how you do it. Because when you started this, we were together in the program. So and I saw it evolve and how it is and how it's getting good traction. And now it's helping. I actually, I even contacted you a couple of times to ask you about some of the tools to make the profit. The portfolio.That's a new thing for me, I haven't done a portfolio before. So I ended up you know, being exposed thanks to your podcast to several, you know, he had several portfolio way. Website and Links. Yes. Which was great.
Dennise Cardona 12:05
Well, it's it's really good portfolios are a king in this industry. I mean, having a portfolio and keeping it up to date and adding to it. And just keeping it organized is so important. Because when you do get those job opportunities that come to you, it's like, here's my portfolio, because they all want that they want to see what you can do. And that's what this program is great for is the fact that you have to build a you have to build a portfolio with part of it to be able to graduate. Yeah, so it's wonderful.
Shahwar 12:35
There were a lot of insights from Greg and Chuck, to be honest, so, even in terms of, you know, discussion, when I was talking about, about the internships, and he was just giving me advice of how to run things and how to, so that those, those tips were really, really helpful. They, you know, it's it's very good that you have someone that you're not intimidated by, and they just take a couple of fresh eyes and look at what you're doing and give you some honest advice, which was really something that I did benefit from.
Dennise Cardona 13:08
That's great. Now, can you talk about your current role? Are you working? Are you applying what you learned in the program to your current role?
Shahwar 13:18
I'm doing something in my role right now, because I working as a senior academic advisor and academic director over here, my position was a sponsor, but I'm just designing an internship program. And I'm just, this is exactly why we resume applying what we learned on it, plus, just reviewing the whole website for the hour for my employer, or the and that just convinced him that to convert everything to micro learning modules. And this is how we're doing. So that's where we are.
Dennise Cardona 14:00
That's excellent. I think that's one of the biggest benefits to being in grad school and working full time. I personally have been able to bring what I'm learning in the program, right to my day job as well. UMBC, I worked copies UNBC. And I've been creating training modules to help with our student interns, onboarding them, and working on virtual series, to help bring people to do virtual events during training that way, and it's just really great to be able to take these skills and apply them they're very applicable. And I'm really glad to hear that that is what your experience has been as well.
Shahwar 14:37
Absolutely, absolutely. You know, even you know, I wasn't exposed to that the idea of the attention the span of attention for you know, the learner and I was ministered to to know that it's the same with an undergrad student as a graduate so we all get bored after a certain point of time, and we do lose the interest. So if you don't grab it and you don't think of something, you know, difference in applying new methods and new techniques. Well, everything will go to down the drain again. For me, I just discussed it with my employer and my boss. And he said, Yeah, I love the idea. Let's do it. At least we'll get more, you know, attention to what we're saying, and we'll get more feedback. And I believe that undergrads also because our, our primary, you know, client would be undergrad students. So their attention span is really...
Dennise Cardona 15:34
Oh, yes. Now. So I want to ask you, how do you feel in terms of being working a working professional and going to graduate school at the same time? How did you balance it all? Because I know that's a big concern for a lot of people who are considering enrolling in a graduate program. And it's a it's a big consideration point, especially if you have children, you have pets at home, whatever it might be. How did you balance it all?
Shahwar 16:01
Well, I have Oh, once you said all of the above. Yeah, you can just cross check everything. And I was also very intimidated by going back to school. I'm not young, and I feel like Oh, my God, what would happen if I'm in class with people who are just half my age, I wouldn't know how would they compete with anyone? And so the good the good advice I received from one of my friends who did her MBA just recently. She told me just take the first semester, just stick with one class, get your you know, hands dirty. And beginning just understand, get the feel of what how it's going to look like and then you decide. Yes. And I took that.
Dennise Cardona 16:51
Great advice. Great advice. That's what I do. Yes.
Shahwar 16:56
And it's just kept rolling. When I took the first one, you know, I put a lot of effort to be honest, maybe I overdid it. But it was, you know, it was needed. I don't know how, what they do. And and then it's just things kept progressing to the extent that it I took the last two semester work full time. So I took nine credits. And in spring in ninth grade, same fall, yes.
Dennise Cardona 17:22
Wow. That's brave!
Shahwar 17:23
And yeah, yeah, to that. Well, in the fall, maybe it was a bit crazy. I shouldn't have done it. But I was, you know, having the the virtue of working the being able to work from home? Yes. I didn't anticipate that and fall, I would be returning to the office. This is what happened.
Dennise Cardona 17:47
Oh, no. Yeah, that's tough.
Shahwar 17:51
When I graduated, and I was the full 4.0. So it's, it was it was great.
Dennise Cardona 17:57
You managed. You did it. You got through it. And I think that you made a really good point in that. Somebody who is wondering if this is really the path for them. Take that one foundational course, the beginning course, because I did the same thing. Sure. I didn't know. I mean, I've been marketing the program for at that point, 14 years, I should know the program in and out. But from a student perspective, I didn't. And I just said, Well, you know, we're doing COVID, we're on lockdown, I got to do something, because I have to challenge myself in some way. So I decided to enroll in that one that 602 class and getting that beginning class. And I wasn't sure I was really afraid like you because I mean, I'm in my 50s. And I've haven't been to school since 1997. So there were some concerns. And here's the thing, when you take a beginner class for the first time, you just get your feet wet. It allows you that opportunity to actually embrace the education to embrace the journey, because you're not in over your head. You can learn with baby steps, what you need to know. And it also gives you a good feel for Okay, is this really what I want to be spending the next two or three years of my life doing? And the answer of obviously, for both of us was yes. So glad to hear it was yes for you, too.
Shahwar 19:14
Yeah, it was a big yes. Some of my classmates decided to do another practice and they decided to take the the certificate first and then make a decision of their thing. They like it, which was also another option. For me. I decided I was you know, I felt that I have to gain many graduate certificates. If I do it, this is going to be for the masters.
Dennise Cardona 19:37
Yes. Yes.
Shahwar 19:39
And I'm glad I did. Yeah, I'm so happy. I'm so happy I did it.
Dennise Cardona 19:46
Yeah.
Shahwar 19:47
It's so refreshing to start learning again. And to feel this learner mindset. Yes. It's really refreshing.
Dennise Cardona 19:56
And it's important right to always keep learning to just be on a content your learning journey. It keeps us young and fresh. And it keeps life interesting too. It really does.
Shahwar 20:06
My boys, they were just looking at mom, we didn't know you were like this.
Dennise Cardona 20:13
So a role model for the kids.
Shahwar 20:15
Yeah, is that hey, come and look at my grade. So for you guys, when you get your seed.
Dennise Cardona 20:27
They're like 4.0! We gotta get a 4.0!
Shahwar 20:27
It's hard. If I do it, you can do it.
Dennise Cardona 20:31
I love it. What would you say was the biggest takeaway that you had from learning from studying at UMBC?
Shahwar 20:41
Well, challenging myself and doing it right. Everybody at a certain point of his life, we need that change. We need to, you know, like the puzzle, you have a puzzle, and sometimes you go we go separate ways. So this was a very, I found my passion in instructional design. And I'm so happy I did. And now like I go, to even in, I teach some classes voluntarily, and I told them, guys, I'm gonna do it voluntarily for you. Because I do love it, I enjoy it. And it's a very good thing that you do something that you really enjoy. And and you get help the people also the people in the program. Renee was wonderful. Also, with, you know, whenever I sent her an email, she's very prompt, emailing, talk, emailing, Greg, they were all wonderful. They try to help. So I, my biggest takeaways, I felt that it's, this was a very, very positive experience for me. And it reflected on all aspects of my life, I feel refreshed. And I feel I want to start all over again, as if I just earned my undergrad. And I would just want to prove it.
Dennise Cardona 22:02
Why did you choose to study Learning and Performance Technology at UMBC
Shahwar 22:06
I'm so happy I did enroll in the Learning and Performance Technology program at UMBC. It was such a nice journey, it was very fruitful, I did benefit a lot of it. I having a background of education and management, this program seems to be the perfect link that would fit the pieces all together again and put me on track where I want to go on, you know, education management or more more posts and leadership management. The program has a lot to offer UMBC offered offered online as well, although I was very fearful at the beginning, from the the online aspect, because I haven't taken any, it seemed about right, because it serves the professional community better. The classes were set up even those who have synchronous periods. They do mind the time, the busy schedule, working professional to have. So it was such a, you know, we're looking at the journey. It was such an enjoyable journey. It was so helpful. And I feel afterwards I feel very refreshed after finishing. And you know what, I wasn't intimidated by being by having my agent. In this program, we have a lot of professional where a lot of professional people my age and younger as well, because there were a lot of, you know, fresh undergrad students. But the program seemed to be working just fine. And we collaborated just fine and all the each did not really matter. What really mattered was the backgrounds and the diversity of the group participating, which would was more enriching. Great.
Dennise Cardona 24:08
Thank you so much for sharing your insights. What a great conversation. This has been. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with you. Once again, we were in class together and I just missed that interaction. It was wonderful chatting with you and wonderful having you on the UMBC miked up podcast. Really appreciate your time and sharing your insights.
Shahwar 24:29
Thank you. The pleasure is all mine. Then if you need anything, just let me know.
Dennise Cardona 24:33
Absolutely. This program was very enlightening, so I really liked it. Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode of UMBC Mic'd Up, we hope that you enjoyed it. If you'd like to learn more about UMBC graduate program in learning or performance technology, please visit us at lapt.umbc.edu