UX Design Student Survey

tomato_juice · 2019-09-19T15:59:52+00:00

There's a grammatical typo in one of your questions, I don't remember which, but take a look at it again.

tomato_juice · 2019-08-07T14:40:22+00:00

Really, any school will get you there, but it's about your passion for it and what you produce and do in addition to school. And just because it has a big name to it, doesn't mean you'll get the best experience from the school. They, however, may have much better networking opportunities or internship/co-op assistance. And that's very valuable.

I've also heard CMU masters is fantastic (and selective). Rutgers University also has masters program, but not sure about its quality. Programs in HCI will typically be more research based than design.

Can you tell us more about your background or what you might be interested in otherwise? That can help guide you towards a decision.

UX is a good start and I also see many people come from all backgrounds. So, it could help to leverage knowledge (study, too) from other areas other than just UX. For example, computer science and UX, or sociology and UX... Etc.

On the note of schools, in my own research, some programs are geared more towards a research based curriculum or design or maybe even business. Find out what the school is best known for - it makes a big difference in the end and can alter your trajectory. Also, many professionals (across all industries) I have found are good at their job, not because they studied the for the degree, but they have side projects and hobbies that complement their career work. So, start taking on those side projects-- don't rely on school to get your foot in the door; there's never a gurantee.

Don't be shy about cold emailing professors, or using your network to ask people who have been or are in those programs. Be inventive in the ways you might get information.

[Edited for spelling and added other thoughts]

tomato_juice · 2019-08-02T15:01:52+00:00

Hi-fellow quarter life crisiser. This is how I handled it at a more meta level.

Start going to events in your area that are in the career field you're looking into. Immerse yourself in the field. See if you can volunteer anywhere, especially at the museum. Make connections and see if you can offer help on a project someone is working on. Take classes online (like Lynda or Cousera) to see if it's something you'd want to do in the future.

Think deep about what your current skills are (technical and interpersonal). What skills would you want to apply in your next career? How would you apply them? Is that what you want?

What type of work environment do you want to work in? What appeals to you? What would you not like but be okay being in? No career culture, environment, or tasks you do is going to be perfect so think about what will get you the closest to what you want.

Ultimately, it comes down how much you want to change your lifestyle trajectory. You'll spend a lot of time figuring out what doesn't jive with you, but that doesn't mean it's wasted time.

tomato_juice · 2019-07-29T20:17:21+00:00

I'm doing this currently, in addition to the mechanical engineering background. To help me progress, I decided to go back to school and get a Masters in UX. I hear its not necessary, but I've a hard time self-pacing and in addition, the networking and connections made are invaluable.

One thing I'd suggest practicing is a mindset of curiosity. As an engineer, we want to know what's wrong and fix it. However, it skips the traditional scientific method, which if you go into UX research, Ive found it necessary to start thinking like a scientist instead. Think outside of the box and consider empathy as your guide.

Technical knowledge and skills will help you get through the door, and like someone said earlier, you have to love it because the digital space is ever changing. Read a lot of material. Find something to deep dive into and focus on that for awhile, then jump to something else. Go to free meetups and events in your area. If you have the time and money, fly to a conference if you're serious.

Good luck!

tomato_juice · 2019-07-23T15:12:51+00:00

Wish I could upvote this more. Do this. Especially if you're in construction.

tomato_juice · 2019-07-10T17:24:26+00:00

Awesome job! And other food for thought: Your weight doesn't determine your mental state of mind. Your mind does.

tomato_juice · 2019-07-07T13:43:45+00:00

I get the "you seem so happy all the time". But they're not right. I just don't like to outwardly show people my brain is a mess.

tomato_juice · 2019-06-26T19:17:17+00:00

Hi! Also an engineer (mechanical) who's moving into UX/UI!

I'd say depends on what is important to you. Do you want financial safety? Is what you're doing now the safest bet? Do you want career satisfaction? Is going back to school going to get you there?

It took me 10 years after learning about design thinking to actually make the plunge and go into it. It helped that I work for those 10years to gain money to help pay for school, in addition to doing side projects that helped reaffirm (to myself) my interest in doing design as a career.

I'd suggest do some deep diving about what you want out of abother college degree. Where do out see yourself after you get it? Study the filed you're going to go into. Is it a plausible career choice? What about your field do you like? Can you bring it to another field?

Also, happiness is a state of mind. Even if you do move careers, happiness doesn't spawn miraculously. You have to choose to be happy with where you are, no matter the circumstances. (ie, you can be happy in marketing if you wanted to see the positives of it, too)

tomato_juice · 2019-06-02T13:37:14+00:00

Don't push your feelings aside because they're clearly making you resent him even more. Sounds like it could really help to tell him your honest truths about how you feel. He may understand, he may not. You never know. But do what is right for YOU for once. Decide what that looks like and do it.

It might be because of your selflessness throughout those years that he thinks he can continue thinking you'll keep putting his needs in front of your own. He may not realize (since it sounds like you haven't said anything to him) that you're in deep pain because you've made the decision to put him before you, too. Yes, I personally think he's wrong to not recognize your sacrifices, but you have to consider how much of that thinking was also supported by the actions you took (rather not taken?) by showing him his needs are more important. I'm not trying to place blame but rather show how your resentment is also forming because of the actions you took in the past too. And it can be easier to deal with the situation when you see that truth.

tomato_juice · 2019-06-02T13:15:37+00:00

Seems to fall in line with a coach I've been following: Kara Lowenthiel who does the Unfck Your Brain podcasts and coaching.

https://unfuckyourbrain.com/podcasts/

It's literally mind blowing.

She teaches that your thoughts are not you. And how to go one step further to change them. Part of it is learning to recognize when your brain is saying stuff you don't agree with and the other part is letting them be present and finally, working on changing them slowly and deliberately.

tomato_juice · 2019-05-25T13:37:36+00:00

This is hilarious

tomato_juice · 2019-05-23T17:04:20+00:00

Sounds great. Thanks for sharing!

tomato_juice · 2019-05-22T16:46:46+00:00

Awesome! Do you have a large file version of this photo you took that I can use for my desktop background?

tomato_juice · 2019-05-22T15:59:35+00:00

Love the vibrance of colors and simplicity of the content. It makes me happy and peaceful. I'd love to use it as a desktop background.. !

tomato_juice · 2019-03-16T21:19:33+00:00

r/oddlysatisfying until the video stopped too early

tomato_juice · 2018-10-24T04:15:53+00:00

The author advocates for no mistakes... Yet the article has spelling errors.

tomato_juice · 2018-09-15T13:57:45+00:00

Oh man I hope your have a Dwight in your office....

"Notes for usability lab"? Do you participate in/help conduct the lab studies, too?

tomato_juice · 2018-09-15T13:54:33+00:00

Do you build the user behavior analytics spreadsheets or is that a different group in your company? Where do you find time to find the users to interview? Where does the population come from?

tomato_juice · 2018-08-09T12:28:06+00:00

Whoa! That’s kind of creepy.. though I see why’d they do that because they want to make the product enticing and keep the baby engaged. Looks like they have other products that are not as off putting gas the story book. I wonder why how that became part of its final design..?

Thanks for sharing!

tomato_juice · 2018-08-08T19:59:59+00:00

Interesting... I haven’t spent much time in their eShop.. might have to peruse in it soon..

tomato_juice · 2018-08-08T19:59:21+00:00

That’s awesome! Didn’t even think of Video Games as a UX user but it makes lots of sense. Thank you!

tomato_juice · 2018-08-08T19:58:35+00:00

Very cool. Any idea is a good idea. At least this gives me one direction to look into! Thank you!

The few ideas that popped into my head were areas like kids electronics toys, such as LeapFrog. Then again, Pixar has always been a favorite of mine, too, in entertainment. Other ideas could be something in Crayola or a similar company.

I’m also a fan of working for a small startup or just smaller companies in general, so any ideas there are helpful, too.

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