A powerful journey of resilience and self-discovery spanning cosmetology, dog training, education, and instructional design—proving that non-linear paths lead to authentic success and meaningful career fulfillment.
Her Story
About Abbey
Abbey Mobley is an Instructional Designer and E-Learning Developer based in the Greater Houston area who specializes in combining learning science with advanced technology and process automation. Currently serving as a Junior Instructional Designer at ServiceLink, Abbey transitions complex instructional goals into streamlined, tech-driven training solutions. Her professional background spans hands-on instructional roles—including teaching and educational support—to managing full-cycle corporate e-learning developments using tools such as Articulate 360, custom JavaScript, and LMS platforms to deliver deeply interactive learner experiences and robust analytics.
Abbey holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies and a Master of Education in Educational Technology and Instructional Design from Western Governors University. Grounding her work in established instructional frameworks like ADDIE, SAM, and differentiated instruction, she focuses on eliminating administrative overhead through automated workflows and conditional approval loops engineered with Microsoft Power Automate. Abbey remains dedicated to developing scalable, accessible, and data-backed training programs that empower learners and optimize corporate learning operations.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Abbey
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to resilience, determination, and an unwavering belief that my circumstances do not have to dictate my future. I've experienced several chapters of my life that forced me to start over, reevaluate my direction, and make difficult decisions. I've learned that sometimes growth requires walking away from things that are familiar but no longer healthy for you.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is that you don't have to stay somewhere just because you've already invested time getting there. It's okay to change directions, start over, and pursue something that aligns better with who you are and who you want to become. I think we sometimes get so caught up in the idea of having a traditional career path that we forget we're allowed to evolve. I've learned that leaving an environment where you aren't growing, aren't valued, or aren't fulfilled isn't giving up; sometimes it's making room for something better. Your career is yours to build, and you don't owe anyone a lifetime commitment to a path that no longer serves you.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My biggest advice would be to stay curious, never stop learning, and don't be afraid to take an unconventional path to get where you want to be. Instructional design is an industry that constantly evolves, especially with technology, so being adaptable and willing to step outside your comfort zone is incredibly important. Don't feel like you need to know everything when you're starting out. Be willing to ask questions, seek mentorship, take opportunities even when they feel intimidating, and trust that you can learn along the way.
I'd also encourage young women to recognize the value of the experiences they bring to the table. My background wasn't a traditional one, and I didn't follow a straight path into this industry. My experiences in teaching, working with different learners, and creating educational opportunities gave me perspectives that I now bring into instructional design. Your previous experiences aren't necessarily detours; they may become some of your greatest strengths.
Most importantly, don't let anyone make you feel like you don't belong in spaces you're working hard to enter. Be confident in your abilities, advocate for yourself, and remember that you don't need to have your entire career figured out to take the next step. Give yourself permission to be a beginner, but never underestimate what you're capable of becoming.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think one of the biggest challenges in instructional design right now is breaking into the industry. It can be difficult to get your foot in the door, especially when many positions require previous instructional design experience, making it challenging for newcomers to gain the very experience employers are looking for.
For those transitioning from education or other industries, it can also be difficult to communicate how transferable their existing skills are. Teaching, curriculum development, understanding different learning styles, communication, and problem-solving are all incredibly valuable skills in instructional design, but sometimes making that connection to potential employers is part of the challenge.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say authenticity, integrity, compassion, and continuous growth are the values that matter most to me, both professionally and personally. I believe in treating people with kindness and respect, creating environments where others feel supported and valued, and leading with empathy. Having experienced environments that didn't always reflect those values, I've learned how important it is to stand by what I believe in and never compromise my well-being or integrity just to fit somewhere.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Abbey
A Journey of Resilience, Reinvention, and Finding My Purpose
From Cosmetology to Instructional Design: A Journey of Resilience, Growth, and Reinvention
My journey hasn't been a traditional one, and honestly, I wouldn't change that.
When I graduated from high school, I didn't immediately head off to college like many people do. Instead, I enrolled in cosmetology school, thinking I had found the direction I wanted to take. However, I quickly realized it wasn't the right fit for me. That experience also introduced me to challenges with panic disorder, something that would become part of my personal journey and teach me a great deal about resilience.
Eventually, I found my way into the world of dog training, a career I spent approximately seven years building. It was a completely different direction from where I had started, but it taught me valuable lessons about patience, communication, dedication, and trusting my ability to learn something new.
Life brought some unexpected personal challenges along the way, leading me to make some significant changes and begin a new chapter. During that time, I found myself returning to something I had always been passionate about: education.
I began working at a Montessori school, hoping to build a career in teaching. That experience helped me better understand the kind of educational environment I wanted to be part of. Eventually, I decided to take a leap of faith and create my own homeschool pod, building an educational experience that reflected my beliefs about learning and the importance of meeting children where they are.
That decision was a turning point. I realized I didn't have to wait for someone else to create the opportunities I wanted. I could create them myself.
I also made the decision to return to school. I earned my bachelor's degree in just ten months, all while navigating the demands of life and building my future. After two years in education, I recognized that it was time for another transition. I wanted to continue growing academically and professionally while creating new opportunities for myself.
While working part-time, I pursued my master's degree and completed it in just ten months as well. I knew I wanted to continue challenging myself and expanding my opportunities within education.
In June 2025, I began an internship that would ultimately become the launching point for the next chapter of my professional journey. That opportunity opened the door to instructional design, where I found a way to combine my passion for education with creativity, innovation, and the opportunity to make an impact on learning in a different way.
Today, I work as an instructional designer, a position that represents so much more than a career accomplishment. It represents every pivot, every difficult decision, every moment of uncertainty, and every time I chose to keep going.
Looking back, I can see that none of my experiences were wasted. Even the chapters I would never choose to relive taught me something about myself. I learned that changing directions isn't failure, starting over doesn't mean you're starting from nothing, and sometimes the most meaningful opportunities come from being willing to take a chance on yourself.
If there is one thing I hope other women take away from my story, it's this: You are allowed to change your mind. You are allowed to outgrow circumstances, careers, and expectations. You are allowed to start over as many times as you need to.
Your timeline does not have to look like anyone else's. You don't have to have everything figured out at 18, 25, 30, or any age. You are not behind simply because your journey took an unexpected route.
I didn't follow a straight line to get where I am today. I explored different careers, discovered new passions, pursued higher education, and embraced opportunities I never could have anticipated.
And perhaps that's the most important part of my story: I never stopped believing there was something more waiting for me.
Sometimes the most influential thing a woman can do is show another woman that it's never too late to become the person she wants to be.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.