Senior User Experience Designer at Havas Life NY
About
Brief Job Description:
As a Senior User Experience Designer, I design web and mobile applications, websites, and other interactive, web-based tools. It involves researching and understanding the user, determining what features need to be added to our product based on user needs, business goals, and business needs, and then designing the interface of the applications. It’s a combination of psychology and design, both of which I have a background in.
Click here to watch a recording of Arielle's Career Spotlight session from November 2023!
Why did you choose to major in Psychology and how has that affected your career thus far?
In high school I had a great AP Psychology teacher; she opened my eyes to the field. I decided to pursue it as a major at Michigan because of the skill set I would gain: research, data analysis, and writing. I also had a genuine interest in the subject; I had always been intrigued by how people respond to their environment and studying psychology was a great way for me to dig deeper in the field.
Psychology is directly related to UX. The research skills, survey writing, research design, data analysis, and even visual design philosophies, help me daily in my role as a UX designer.
What was your career path like?
Nothing like I expected! I pursued a Master’s in Public Health right after I graduated from Michigan. I was interested in healthcare and thought this was where I wanted to go professionally. Shortly after graduating with my Master’s I got a job at a large NYC hospital system working in project management. While there, I learned that this career path wasn’t what I thought it would be. While I was very interested in healthcare, I did not feel that my skills were valued in this particular role.
This realization forced me to do a lot of digging, and through a combination of researching careers, speaking with friends, other professionals, family, and mentors; I realized that my skill set was ideal for a career as a User Experience Designer. This career is also more closely aligned with my interests and values. After that realization, I made a career change. I spoke with my manager at the hospital, he was extremely supportive and encouraged me to pursue this new direction. We found some projects at the hospital for me to learn UX design. I became acquainted with a few different teams in IT who were working on some internal applications for the hospital. Through this, I was able to get some first-hand experience learning about designing websites and apps. I then decided to enroll in a 1-week UX bootcamp class. This gave me the foundational knowledge to build off of. While working at the hospital, I used my experience, and newly gained knowledge to build a design portfolio and successfully make the jump from Project Manager to UX Designer.
What advice do you have both professionally and personally for students and recent alumni who are interested in pursuing a career similar to yours?
Studying psychology is a great way to break into the field. The most essential skill set is research and asking good questions, so get involved in research throughout undergrad. Take courses related to user experience, or technology. Educate yourself by reading and networking. Talk to professionals in the industry and don’t be afraid to cold call or cold email someone who looks interesting to you on LinkedIn. Chances are, they will be happy to talk, and they will probably be happy to connect you with more people in the industry. I recommend looking for relevant internships, either in design firms, start-ups, agencies, or tech companies; there is a lot out there for students who want to learn about the industry. Sharpen your visual design skills as well; graphic design knowledge is really helpful.
What is the best career advice that you have received?
Get really good at telling your story. Find common themes in your experiences and link them together. Be able to tell people how you got to where you are and what skills you picked up along the way. Explain how one experience led to the next, and use your narrative to guide your job hunt and your networking. Get good at marketing yourself!
What has contributed most to your career success?
Networking. People and relationships are your most valuable asset. Building a professional network takes time and effort, but it can certainly be done in college, especially through internships, summer programs, and part time jobs. Even reaching out to your friends and relatives for contacts in a specific industry is helpful. I am constantly building my professional network by simply asking for introductions. I have even made some amazing new friends as well!
To Contact: ariellem19@gmail.com, LinkedIn
