Shekinah Terry
Teacher (11 years) Instructional Designer II
Advent Health Information Technology
ID Bootcamp (Now the Certification Program)
Shekinah transitioned from 11 years of teaching into an Instructional Designer II role at Advent Health IT, where her portfolio and early work with AI learning solutions positioned her to thrive in a competitive field.
She had loved teaching since childhood, but by her 11th year the profession had shifted into more policing and paperwork than meaningful instruction. Within weeks of discovering instructional design, she saw how it aligned with her goals, and despite financial hurdles, she jumped in, determined to take a chance on herself.
“The bootcamp helped me find a grit I didn't know I had. I learned how to stand up for myself, how to believe in myself, how to advocate for myself and how to push myself to new heights.”
— Shekinah Terry
A Portfolio That Opened Every Door
Shekinah's portfolio became her most powerful career asset. Even with just one polished project, it opened doors: every interview she landed, hiring managers told her it was her portfolio that got her in the room.
Her work demonstrated creativity and a forward-looking approach to learning design, setting her apart in a crowded market.
Apply NowGuiding Potential: Weaving AI into eLearning
For her flagship project, Shekinah created Guiding Potential, an interactive learning experience that helps learners reflect on their strengths and goals. Rather than designing a static course, she wove in AI elements that made the experience more adaptive and learner-centered.
By blending scenario-based design with AI-powered prompts, she demonstrated how emerging tools could create personalized pathways and deepen learner engagement, positioning her as a designer ready to bring innovation into any workplace.
Finding Grit and Opening New Doors
Shekinah's path to her new role was anything but smooth. She unexpectedly left the classroom soon after starting the program, and the months that followed were filled with doubt, hardship, and a lot of tears.
She invested weeks of hope into one role and was devastated when it fell through, but instead of giving up, she found freelance work and kept applying. Then came an opportunity with a mission-aligned healthcare organization.
After multiple interviews, she got the offer. Her hiring manager told her she was especially interested in Shekinah's ability to integrate AI into learning experiences and create scenario-based and game-based learning. Today she channels that grit into her role at Advent Health IT, creating digital learning solutions and continuing to explore how AI can enhance healthcare training.
“When I discovered instructional design, I was tired, anxious, and questioning what was next for me. At first, I wasn't sure if it was the right path. But when I applied for the bootcamp, I spoke with someone who believed I deserved the opportunity to change my life — and that gave me the courage to begin.”
“I unexpectedly left the classroom soon after, and the months that followed were filled with doubt, hardship, and a lot of tears. Quite honestly, the bootcamp helped me find a grit I didn't know I had. I learned how to stand up for myself, how to believe in myself, how to advocate for myself and how to push myself to new heights.”
“My portfolio became my lifeline. Every interview I landed, it was stated that my portfolio is what got me in the room. After multiple interviews, I got the offer. I immediately burst into tears and called my mom. My hiring manager told me she was especially interested in my ability to integrate AI into learning experiences and create scenario-based and game-based learning. That's when I knew all the hard work had been worth it. I am so grateful for my bootcamp pro and for the incredible community that supported me every step of the way.”
