Stephanie Li
As an Instructional Designer on Autodesk’s Learning Design & Experience (LDX) team, I contribute to the Customer Success organization by designing and delivering impactful learning experiences that help customers adopt Autodesk technologies effectively and achieve their business goals. In our fast-evolving landscape of technology and business, I see it as my responsibility to empower both our teams and customers to make the most of our tools and solutions. I enjoy my work because it varies based on the different people and projects I get aligned with; I get to create and build something from scratch, and seeing it come to life is a rewarding and fruitful feeling.
Having been at Autodesk for just a year — and as the only member of my team based in Toronto — I’ve made it a priority to get involved in as many initiatives as possible. I’m an active member of Autodesk Asian Network (AAN) and Young Professionals Network (YPN), recently participated in a pro bono project focused on building homes for displaced individuals, and also joined a small group of colleagues to volunteer at a local food shelter where we packed and loaded canned goods for distribution at a food bank. These experiences have been fundamental for me to build a sense of connection outside of my core team and work.
A lifelong journey of learning and professional growth
Before joining Autodesk, I started my career journey in education, as I initially wanted to become a teacher. I have always enjoyed curating and designing learning experiences for people to grow and learn from. Upon graduating, I fell in love with business – especially the people aspect of it. I took a graduate program and transitioned from education, applying my knowledge in pedagogy (childhood education) to andragogy (adult learning).
I used to think that once you become an adult and leave the classroom, learning ceases there, but that could not be further from the truth. Learning & Development is truly a lifelong thing. I am so lucky to have experience with many industries, clients, projects, and people from different geographies. These core experiences propelled me to work for my first global company, which I am so lucky to be part of today. Technology is everywhere, and to progress is to adapt, learn, and move forward. Ultimately, being a big tinkerer with applications, experiences, and products made me fall in love with education in technology.
The biggest skill that has helped me succeed, which I found to be transferable from my education background, is utilizing my understanding of learning theories. I use that as the pillar for everything I build and create. Everyone learns differently, we are all unique learners, and no one person is the same. Each new project I join or design, I try to step into my audience’s mind and shoes. I tackle each project with a bespoke mindset to ensure it is catered to and built with them in mind.
When I first joined Autodesk, I was a little worried about connecting with my team because they would all be remote. However, they’ve not only been there to help me onboard smoothly, but they have also been supportive and amazing in every way. I truly never feel distance between my teammates because I can always message them about anything – from reviews to feedback, or to just collaborate. I am successful here because of my team.
The power of networking
I used to be very shy and introverted, especially when joining a new company. But a shift in my mindset and reflection of how I want to make an impact at a company is as important as learning the job itself. First impressions matter; I made an effort to introduce myself to teams I had never worked with in person, volunteered at in-office events, and set up meet-and-greets with colleagues to ask about their projects and how they found their way to Autodesk. Many of the people I met were quite tenured, so it was great to hear from those who have seen many changes and transitions within the company. Putting myself out there and being uncomfortable in situations helps me improve and jump into experiences and knowledge that might otherwise be missed.
If you’re considering a career shift similar to mine, my biggest piece of advice would be to do your research! I did tons of research to get to where I am now. I went to networking events and met with those already in the field to see how they got to where they are now. Everyone’s journey can look very different. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to people on LinkedIn! I have done so many times and find that a lot of us in the field love just chatting about what we do. We are truly passionate about the work, and since we are “educators” in varying ways, we love to connect and help others any way we can.
Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us at Autodesk!