EP103: Ashley Kennedy, Senior Staff Instructor for LinkedIn Learning – TV Matters
Many of us dream of a straightforward career path – a linear trajectory from our childhood ambitions to our ultimate professional destination. But for Ashley Kennedy, senior staff instructor for LinkedIn Learning, the road to becoming a prominent figure in media education was filled with unexpected turns.
In this episode of TV Matters podcast, we have the pleasure of speaking with Ashley Kennedy, a senior staff instructor at LinkedIn Learning and a veteran in the field of media education. With over two decades of experience teaching film, video editing, and storytelling, Ashley has witnessed the evolution of the industry firsthand, transitioning from traditional in-person classrooms to the democratizing world of online learning platforms.
Our conversation delves into Ashley’s journey, starting with her early passion for storytelling and how it led her to pursue film and media. We hear about her unique experience teaching herself video editing due to limited resources and her subsequent foray into teaching at universities, Avid Technologies, Lynda, and ultimately LinkedIn Learning.
A Love for Storytelling Unearthed
Ashley’s passion for storytelling began blooming in her hometown, leading her to pursue broadcast journalism in college. However, her love for in-depth narratives steered her towards film, and she went on to obtain an MFA in that field. It was during her graduate studies that Ashley stumbled upon a hidden talent – teaching. Serving as a teaching assistant for television production classes sparked a joy in her that she hadn’t anticipated.
“While I was in grad school, I ended up being a TA for some of the TV classes,” Ashley recalls in the podcast, “and I just loved it. That’s when I realized, ‘Oh, I actually really enjoy teaching.'”
A Detour that Led to Expertise
Armed with a film degree and a newfound love for education, Ashley set her sights on a career as a documentary film editor. However, fate had something different in store. Landing a role as a technical editing instructor at Avid Technologies wasn’t exactly what she envisioned, but Ashley, with her characteristic adaptability, embraced the challenge. What began as a slight detour turned into a valuable learning experience. She not only mastered the technical aspects of Avid systems but also honed her skills as a video editing instructor, eventually leading certification programs for seasoned editors from across the globe.
“At first, I thought, ‘Oh, this isn’t exactly what I wanted to do,'” Ashley says about her initial reaction to the Avid role. “But then I embraced it, and I learned how to repair the Avid systems.”
The Rewards of Witnessing Growth
The year 2008 brought another unexpected turn. Due to the economic downturn, Ashley was laid off from Avid. But this setback proved to be a stepping stone. She quickly secured a teaching position at Columbia College Chicago, where she not only taught core video production courses but also created new advanced Avid editing programs. Witnessing students develop their skills and blossom throughout their academic journeys became a source of immense satisfaction for Ashley.
“One of the most rewarding things about teaching is seeing students come in at the beginning of the semester, often really scared or intimidated, and then leaving at the end, feeling confident and excited about what they’ve learned,” Ashley reflects on her experience at Columbia.
Embracing the Rise of Online Education
As the landscape of education evolved, so did Ashley’s teaching repertoire. During her time at Columbia, she ventured into the burgeoning world of online education, creating video tutorials for Linda.com (now LinkedIn Learning). This marked the beginning of her journey in straddling both traditional classroom environments and the online learning sphere. Ashley acknowledges the challenge of fostering a personal connection in online tutorials compared to the physical classroom. To bridge this gap, she emphasizes the importance of warmth, empathy, and a genuine understanding conveyed through her voice.
“The challenge with online tutorials,” Ashley explains, “is that you can’t see the students’ faces. You don’t know if they’re getting it or not. So, what I really try to focus on is making sure that my voice is warm and inviting, and that I’m conveying empathy and understanding.”
Ashley’s story is a testament to the adaptability and diverse skillsets required to thrive in the ever-evolving world of media education. It’s a journey fueled by a passion for storytelling and a love for connecting with students, both online and offline. As the podcast with Ashley delves deeper, we can expect to glean valuable insights into her illustrious career and the exciting future of online education.
Feeling inspired? Dive deeper into Ashley’s journey by listening to the full podcast.
Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
