Your Story Isn't Static
Some careers are linear, but most people meander. When I interview candidates, my favorite question is "how did you find your way to research"?
Let’s start with the obvious: you are living and breathing. So is your narrative. It evolves through experience, disruption, and reflection.
Back in November 2022, I had the opportunity to be a guest on the "Everything is a Prototype: The DMBA Podcast." At that time, I was in a flow state, navigating life with a confident rhythm and consistent energy.
Fast forward to January, and life threw me curve ball (#Googlelayoff), leading me to pause and re-evaluate my journey. It wasn't until recently that I found the courage to listen to that podcast episode. Yes, I said a few too many "umms", but revisiting that conversation during a lower period in March would have served as a gentle reminder of my resilience and adaptability.
Sharing our story, with all their imperfections can be daunting, but silence is a disservice not only to personal growth and validation, but to the broader community.
My PSA for the month is: tell your story to friends, loved ones, and the next generation. Every voice adds a unique note to the symphony of human experience and we can’t rely on platforms to elevate the collective.
That’s me above on the right with 👍, at the last exhibition I curated circa 2011.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my career pivot since reviewing over 150 applicants for Velocity Ave a few months ago. Those of you who know me can probably guess, I took a different approach to the interview process. Candidates were pretty surprised at the omission of resumes. Instead, the application consisted of a form that covered characteristics, values, principles, and motivations.
It’s time we reject archaic requirements and processes that aren’t equitable. It’s time we design systems that capture meaningful signals of a candidates potential.
My favorite question from the Velocity Ave application form was a Madlib. One day, I promise to share the results.
I think skills are overrated. Natural abilities are what accelerate a career in UX, ease transitions and support adaptability. Characteristics are what make a researcher stellar and thrive in the charged environments of tech and corporate culture.
So if you are new to the field, or are looking to pivot into UX Research. My colleague Shima Houshyar and I have written a piece “So you want to be a UXR…” on our new Velocity Ave Substack. The article features prompts to encourage reflection in addition to insights from two notable pivoters who are dynamic UXR leaders, Yinda Ayo-Ani and Kirby Brown.
Two favorite quotes from the article:
“While it’s always easier said than done, I try my best to remain curious instead of assuming worst intent in scenarios where I wished an interaction would’ve gone differently. I like to talk through ways we might approach future collaborations and be forward-looking about partnering more effectively instead of over-indexing on the specifics of a moment that has already passed. Treating the discussion as a co-creation opportunity, and ideally aligning on a path forward by documenting any decisions made in a centralized 1:1 document or agenda, has always felt more empowering and productive than doubling down or holding grudges.”
From Kirby Brown
“Stay somewhat detached from the work so you focus on doing the best for the company rather than standing on ego. It can be scary as a new UXR to ‘make the wrong move’ but honestly you just have to see failure as growth - rather than trying to be right or get everything right all the time. Become a sponge for knowledge - and you’ll become not only a great UXR but also someone others regard with respect.”
From Yinda Ayo-Ani