Ask an IDLancer: Meet Craig!

Meet Craig McMichael—Certified IDLancer, family man, teacher, friend, sportz guy, and a true professional in the world of instructional design.

Here at IDLance, we believe in the power of real stories and real people, and real people using real stories to talk about how great we are.

Seriously though, we could not be more proud of our community of freelance instructional designers and this blog series gives us a chance to show ‘em off a bit.

Kinda like when your neighbor corners you outside to show you 10,000 pictures of her hedgehog, "Lil' Baby Weebles." And just like “Lil’ Baby Weebles,” we too are nocturnal, solitary, small-legged yet resourceful creatures that survive mainly on garden pests. Awwww!

Without further ado, we present Craig McMichael:

What attracted you to join the IDLance community?

It’s not about “them,” instead, they are focused on personal connections and authenticity. Looking at LinkedIn, everyone seems to be trying to be the next influencer or “selling the drama,” to quote REM. At IDLance, the focus is on the community.

We are all part of it and working together to lift them up. That’s true whether I am collaborating on an ID project, have a question, or need a friend to help brainstorm with on another project. I was honored to be part of Cohort 1 of The IDLancer Certification Program and seek to continue this idea.

Would you recommend IDLance as a great place to contract? (You better, or else a knuckle-sandwich is coming your way. But don't let that influence your decision, of course………..).

Yes, I love working for the IDLance community because each project brings collaboration and flexibility, two keys for freelance IDs like me. IDLance hires you because you have a certain skill set to rock out. They don’t worry about trying to pigeonhole or limit you. I have always felt supported to continue to push for creativity and find new ways to deliver engaging content.

What do you like best about how IDLance communicates with you before, during, and after projects?

The lines of communication are always open, and you never feel bothered or bugging them.

How does the feedback you receive throughout the project help you learn, grow, and be proud of yourself as an ID?

Feedback is crucial. I was working on a project this Spring, and Parker was great about providing specific feedback, asking the right questions, and thinking about tools to enhance the project.

Is a hot dog a sandwich?

No, but a Chicago dog is considered a salad.

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

No, it just cues up “Fallin in Love” by Alicia Keys to go out real dramatic.

Can you share a memorable project or collaboration experience you've had with IDLance and the client?

I loved working with Meg on a Business Development project. We didn’t have a lot of content to work from, but we were able to chat and collaborate to create a pretty cool course.

What’s the weirdest item currently in your workspace?

I have two statues of Monkeys sitting on a book by Darwin looking at a skull.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their freelance career in instructional design?

Find a community where you will feel supported and challenged to learn and grow. By the way, have you heard of IDLance?

What's your go-to source of inspiration when you hit a creative block?

Going for a walk or taking a nap. Getting out of that blank space.

What’s the worst training experience you’ve ever had?

I went through a webinar with a representative about the product only to find out it was far from the same experience when I used it.

Define what success means to you in 5 words or less.

Keep going.

How has your experience working with IDLance impacted your personal or professional growth?

I have grown my personal and professional network, and it has given me the confidence to push my growth and creativity.

You have to spend the rest of your life living inside one movie. What is it?

Royal Tenenbaums. “That car has a dent in it.”

Is Bigfoot real? Show proof.

I wear a size 14 shoe. I will send you my next Amazon receipt.

We want to send a huge thank you to Craig for taking the time to participate in this fun little blog series. Anyone who has the opportunity to work alongside him should consider themselves one lucky duck.

He’s reliable, hard-working, so kind, and genuinely a pleasure to know!

If you’re interested in joining Team IDLance and possibly winning a one-on-one portfolio review with our Co-Head Honchos, click here to learn how!