Student Profile Archives

Amy Dearborm
"Developing Learning Solutions"

Amy Dearborn, an M.A. student within UMBC’s ISD (Instructional Systems Development) Training and Development Program, is an instructional design specialist for T. Rowe Price. She is responsible for many of the core functions involved in the design and development of learning solutions such as managing the design life cycle model, contributing to various training process, providing performance consultant support and overseeing Kirkpatrick Level III training programs.

She is able to apply everything learned directly on the job. “That’s what I love about the program – my learning is accelerated,” says Dearborn.

Dearborn’s training experience began when she worked as a manager of administration within a branch sales office of the Allegis Group, a provider of contract services and business solutions. She was later asked to take on the role of training manager for the customer support services sector because of her interest and aptitude for developing her staff.

“I knew that when I moved from a subject matter expert position into training and development within my organization, that I would have to know ‘what I was talking about’,” says Dearborn. “Despite the challenging work, I knew that I found what I wanted to do with the rest of my career, and the next step was to get educated.”

After researching other schools, Dearborn made the decision to pursue her degree at UMBC, a university that matched her needs. “Although focused on instructional design, UMBC has offered other courses and curriculum that have helped me explore and learn other aspects of training and development, “ says Dearborn.

In addition to the program giving her the skills needed by her current employer, Dearborn found a knowledgeable faculty, a one-on-one instructor/advisor/student rapport and a personal approach to growing the curriculum and student base especially from Donna Taylor, interim program director.

Dearborn thinks highly of the network between students, faculty and alumni as well. “It’s been a positive impact – the ability to share stories and learn from each other has been critical,” says Dearborn. “I’ve been able to develop relationships with people and build a network of contacts that I would never have been able to do through another venue.”