Ten Reasons Why You Should Hire Me

In order to assist you in your hiring decision, I have listed the ten main reasons you should hire me for your Instructional Design, e-Learning Development, Project Management, and Training Management needs. These reasons include my:

1) Outstanding Communication Skills

2) Proven Instructional Design Skills

The differences between training created by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and that created by a good Instructional Designer (ID) is the ability of the ID to:

• Get into the students' heads
• During the training development process, constantly ask "How can the student misinterpret this material?"
• Turn an initial lack of subject-matter expertise into a positive by applying to the course the lessons learned while learning the subject from the SMEs.

My experience as a former Business Analyst allows me to quickly learn your business. However, if that was all there was to my job, you could have your Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) create your training.

While developing training for Naval Aviators, out of necessity, I learned to get into the students' heads. At every step of the training development, I ask myself, "Where can the student misinterpret what the training is presenting." In Naval Aviation, misinterpretations can be deadly.

Using my experience as a classroom instructor and knowledge of your business, I build the instructors' and or SMEs' experience into my e-learning courses.

3) Well-Rounded Background

I have over fourteen years of experience as an Instructional Designer, e-Learning Architect and Developer, Business/Programmer Analyst and Project Manager. I have played every role in both the Software and Training Development Life Cycles. I worked extensively in both the public and private sectors, including in Defense/Aerospace, Health, Accounting, Collections, Tax/Revenue, Retirement Benefits, Transportation, and State and Local Government. My clients include:

• Intel
• California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS)
• California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
• California Franchise Tax Board (FTB)
• California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
• California Board of Equalization (BOE)
• Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH)
• Louisiana Office of Pubic Health (OPH)
• Athena Health
• BlueShield

4) Use of Industry-Standard Methodologies

As an Instructional Designer and Developer I typically use the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) life cycle. When given the opportunity, I choose to use a rapid-prototyping methodology - creating the storyboard in the development tool of choice. However, through the years, I have used many different life cycles and methodologies - molding myself to whatever makes the client feel most comfortable.

5) Strong Technical Skills

I am highly-skilled in:

• Flash/ActionScript
• Captivate
• Camtasia
• Breeze/Presenter
• Articulate Presenter
• Dreamweaver
• HTML
• JavaScript
• VBScript
• CSS
• SCORM
• XML
• Corel Paint Shop Pro
• Authorware
• Windows Movie Maker
• Flix Pro

I have also used PhotoShop, Fireworks, and ToolBook and many other similar products, and quickly become proficient with new tools. I am becoming increasingly familiar with W3C XHTML 1.0 standards and cross-browser development.

6) Astute Application of Learning Theories

I am familiar with all of the major cognitive learning theories and I am adept at applying them to the appropriate situation. Most of my clients have me apply Adult Learning Theory and Kirkpatrick's Learning Evaluation model. Constructivism is the dominant theory in K-12 and higher education but it is often misunderstood and misapplied. Due to the time value of money, much of the discovery learning aspect of Constructivism is not applicable to the business world.

7) Extensive Education

My career in e-Learning has enabled me to combine my formal training in the U.S. Navy as an Instructional Designer and Classroom Instructor with my MBA in Management Information Systems and with my experience as an IT Consultant.

This industry is rapidly changing. The advent of Web 2.0 and beyond requires constant diligence to stay on top of things. To that end, in the evening, and on weekends, I am currently working on-line toward a Master of Science in Educational Technology. I have a 4.0 GPA with nine units remaining.

Because many clients have a need for contractors with a knowledge of science and my love for science, between projects, I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Physics. I have completed the first year with a GPA of 3.7.

8) Ability to Build and Maintain Relationships

Building a relationship with my clients is one of the things I enjoy most about this profession. I very much enjoy sharing my years of knowledge with others and learning from my clients and colleagues. I look forward to getting to know you and helping you achieve your goals.

9) Project Management Experience

As an experienced Project Manager (PM), I can either manage your projects for you or better work for your PM(s) by providing them with the work-products and inputs that they need. I am skilled with Microsoft Project and I have refined my metrics to be able to produce accurate work estimates.

10) Proven Ability to Deliver

Lastly but most importantly, I deliver. I have a record of consistently delivering on-time, on-budget at or above expected quality. My clients will all attest to my professionalism, work-ethic, speed, skill, creativity, and thoroughness. I am passionate about my chosen profession and take immense pride in my work.

Portfolio

For proof of my abilities, please use the tabs at the top of this page to navigate around the rest of this site. I also have outstanding references that I am happy to provide upon request.

I look forward to speaking with you about your projects and developing an outstanding working relationship with you.