Rebecca Morse is in the process of building a meaningful career as an international educator while living in Thailand and teaching at an international school. She loves the cultural richness her job brings—but she craves more flexibility, time for creativity, and the opportunity to grow her career beyond the classroom. In January, she joined Cohort 20 of IDOL Academy and quickly discovered that it’s more than a course—it’s a career accelerator that offers practical training, hands-on experience, and a supportive community of peers and mentors.

A Real-World Internship That Inspires Change

Shortly after joining, Rebecca secures an internship with Mentor Vermont, a nonprofit she heard about through the IDOL network. This opportunity allows her to design a course for volunteer mentors, focusing on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Her project stands out because it doesn’t just teach technical skills—it builds empathy. Rebecca’s course helps mentors recognize how basic needs shape a mentee's ability to connect and grow. And while many IDOL students create training to close a skills gap, Rebecca’s approach fills a crucial knowledge gap—empowering learners with emotional intelligence and soft skills.

A Hands-On Complement to Academic Learning

Rebecca holds a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology. But like many students, she found that the program leans heavily on theory and academic writing, with little guidance on how to apply those concepts in a real-world corporate environment.

“IDOL Academy is the hands-on experience I was missing,” she shares. “The assignments are structured the way you'd actually work in the industry. It’s the difference between studying education theory and being in a classroom for student teaching.”

She now builds eLearning modules in Articulate Storyline and has been experimenting with visual design in a way that brings her creativity back to life.

Global Perspective, Flexible Goals

As a mom of two, balancing work and family life, Rebecca appreciates the Academy’s self-paced structure. Despite the challenge of time zones in Chiang Mai, she attends coaching sessions and connects with mentors like Gretchen Johanson—an early IDOL grad now thriving as a senior instructional designer.

Rebecca and her family are preparing for a move to Beijing, where she plans to continue teaching while growing her instructional design skills. Her long-term goal? Transition into freelance work that gives her more autonomy and creative freedom.

“I’m not in a rush,” she says. “But I want to keep building my skills, keep creating, and eventually make that leap.”

A Testament to IDOL’s Flexibility and Support

Rebecca’s journey is a reflection of what makes IDOL Academy so unique. No matter where students live or how much time they have, the program adapts to their lives—while helping them build in-demand skills and confidence along the way.

With her global perspective, creativity, and dedication to growth, Rebecca is well on her way to becoming the kind of instructional designer companies dream of hiring.

Ready to Follow in Rebecca’s Footsteps?

If you're dreaming of a more flexible, fulfilling career like Rebecca, IDOL Academy can help you get there—fast. In as little as 24 weeks, you’ll build the skills, portfolio, and experience you need to land your first instructional design job or freelance clients. No degree or tech background required.

👉 Enroll in IDOL Academy today and start designing your dream career.