To niche or not to niche? Career coaching and Learning Design insights for your L&D journey
Are you launching into a Learning and Development (L&D) career and wondering whether to niche down or keep your options open? It's one of the most common—and critical—questions I hear in career coaching sessions for those with aspirations in Learning Design.
I'm Bianca Raby—CEO, learning strategist, and your resident career coaching cheerleader. After nearly 20 years in education, working across every sector you can think of, I've wrestled with this very question myself. And while I chose not to niche, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Let's break it down.
Learning Design in every sector: so many career paths, so little time
When it comes to Learning Design, one of the first things I highlight in career coaching is just how many sectors need us:
- Corporate: Think internal leadership academies run by L&D teams.
- Industry specific: Like CPD for doctors, engineers, or lawyers.
- Unaccredited learning: Tech training like Salesforce's Trailhead.
- Vocational: TAFEs and RTOs offering job-ready, skills-based learning.
- University: Accredited programs built on rigorous Learning Design.
- Government: Public sector departments offering internal development.
Each sector needs quality Learning Design. So, step one in any career coaching conversation? Get clear on where you want to play.
The T or V dilemma: career coaching meets personality test
One of my favourite career coaching tools is the T-shaped vs. V-shaped professional framework.
- T-shaped: You've got deep expertise in one area of Learning Design, but broad skills in project management, strategy, writing, and tech. You can collaborate across disciplines and wear multiple hats.
- V-shaped: You're a specialist. Maybe you're an LMS wizard who can whisper to Moodle or decode Canvas configurations in your sleep. Your Learning Design is laser-focused and technically unmatched.
Me? I'm proudly T-shaped. My Learning Design superpower is educational program strategy. But I also dabble in writing, business, and tech—enough to collaborate, but not enough to code encryption algorithms!
In career coaching, I help clients figure out where they sit—and more importantly, what suits their personality.
Career coaching + Learning Design strategy = long term success
So what's the verdict? Should you niche or not?
In career coaching sessions, I always encourage this question: How do you like to work? Do you thrive in variety, or crave mastery in one area of Learning Design? There's no wrong answer—just the one that aligns with your energy and long-term goals.
Whether you're designing learning for defence, doctors, or data analysts, the combination of strong career coaching and strategic Learning Design planning is what sets you apart.
Want to go deeper into this? I've got loads more on this in my YouTube channel and career coaching offerings. And if you're a teacher pivoting into Learning Design, definitely check out my chat with Rachel Schell—it's full of gold.
Until next time—stay curious, stay strategic, and keep building your dream Learning Design career.