I haven't updated this thing in about seven months. I guess it shows that I lived this year. And I accomplished some lifelong goals over the past year. I took my very first product from idea to researched concept to prototype to fully functional product. Ever since I was 19, I always talked about making a system to help communicate and identify individuals with special needs. Of course, part of that was working in a classroom, but also, I've had my own academic challenges that I've had to contend with. And i'm thankful to God that I was able to accomplish that.
But there's so much more to do. My life is still rolling.
The job market is interesting. Very interesting. But not impossible. I have more education than the average bear. At this point in my life, I don't need to take another class. In fact, I refuse to take another class unless its absolutely, positively required for me to maintain employment. Which also means, I won't be paying for it. Education is expensive, yet a lot of jobs (tech jobs anyways) don't want to even acknowledge or take it into consideration when trying to do it. Eventually, I will probably get my PhD because I do take my education seriously--but for the next decade, I plan to work hard--but also live, learn, love, and enjoy life.
The great thing about graduate school is that it is a structured institution of freedom. You can explore pretty much any topic you want, within some const
But there's so much more to do. My life is still rolling.
The job market is interesting. Very interesting. But not impossible. I have more education than the average bear. At this point in my life, I don't need to take another class. In fact, I refuse to take another class unless its absolutely, positively required for me to maintain employment. Which also means, I won't be paying for it. Education is expensive, yet a lot of jobs (tech jobs anyways) don't want to even acknowledge or take it into consideration when trying to do it. Eventually, I will probably get my PhD because I do take my education seriously--but for the next decade, I plan to work hard--but also live, learn, love, and enjoy life.
The great thing about graduate school is that it is a structured institution of freedom. You can explore pretty much any topic you want, within some const
The truth is like a breath of fresh air or even a kiss on the lips. I mean the truth is, we all have our individual lives to live. And no matter how close we are to one another, there's still a good chance that all you've seen is a piece of the picture. Not the whole picture.
Hmm.. well today was an okay day. I woke up, showered, drove to the train station in Lafayette, hopped on the train (and actually got a seat--YES!) , hopped off the train, ate breakfast at this local dive in Oakland...two pancakes, bacon...i asked for an egg...but no egg found in the container :(. Work was cool, but busy. I was happy that most people worked off site today, so I had the whole office to myself. I could close the door and work on my report and conduct my user test in peace and quiet. But I really like the company I work for in general because of that reason. They are about results, not nonsense micromanaging that still doesn't reap any better results. They allow people to accomodate their work style and work environment by providing a ton of open rooms/"work hotels" and then of course there are more than enough opportunities to work in rooms with tons of people. I have a pretty nice desk and office...much better than most of the other interns because of the department I work in. But often it gets too loud...and i get easily distracted...or rather flat out disturbed. It's one thing to do a powerpoint presentation in loud...but to analyze test results, examine software, and then generate a 30 page report for me in absolute loudness from other workers (not intentionally), just isn't gonna happen. So im happy i can pretty much get away from my desk when i need to.
The user tests are super cool because its really neat to see how people use software and then how people take certain conventions from other software with similar features and attempt to implement it on the tested software. The things that people say out loud during the test is always very interesting. I always have to remind them, "We are testing the design of the software, not you" lol... because sometimes it gets frustrating for the user when they can't complete the task i ask them to. It's also interesting to see how some big name companies (that will remain nameless lol) will consult with other big name companies about software and offer minimal design recommendations and support . I understand the whole concept of "customization" and letting the enterprise decide...but still....some of these platforms "out of the box" are just flat out ugly and have awful user experiences
. My internship definitely allowed me to put my grad school education into true context. I did user testing before, but I was 1 of 4 people in a group and everybody had their little role. I simply observed and took notes and helped with the analysis, while someone else instructed them of the tasks, someone else set up the test and someone else that handled a written survey and paperwork. We collaboratively came up with the tasks together and the tasks were very simple and there was no more than 5 to 7 tasks that we tested on a high level feature of the navigation...information architectural stuff primarily. Although I took the concepts from test, it was much more complex because it is a social tool im working with with much more robust functionality....it was more like 20 tasks. Also, the script was much more complex because I had to factor in that I had to run the testing tools, write the script, conduct prelminary informational interviews with managers to get a sense of the priorities and scope of the project were, come up with a test administration visual, verbally interview and administer a written survey to each user, observe, take notes, organize data analyze, and generate a report. Lots of work, but im thankful I get to do it. (though its a ton of work:). I kind of wish I could do some eye tracking with these tests, but its a process to even go there and im leaving in a couple of weeks. :(
The user tests are super cool because its really neat to see how people use software and then how people take certain conventions from other software with similar features and attempt to implement it on the tested software. The things that people say out loud during the test is always very interesting. I always have to remind them, "We are testing the design of the software, not you" lol... because sometimes it gets frustrating for the user when they can't complete the task i ask them to. It's also interesting to see how some big name companies (that will remain nameless lol) will consult with other big name companies about software and offer minimal design recommendations and support . I understand the whole concept of "customization" and letting the enterprise decide...but still....some of these platforms "out of the box" are just flat out ugly and have awful user experiences
. My internship definitely allowed me to put my grad school education into true context. I did user testing before, but I was 1 of 4 people in a group and everybody had their little role. I simply observed and took notes and helped with the analysis, while someone else instructed them of the tasks, someone else set up the test and someone else that handled a written survey and paperwork. We collaboratively came up with the tasks together and the tasks were very simple and there was no more than 5 to 7 tasks that we tested on a high level feature of the navigation...information architectural stuff primarily. Although I took the concepts from test, it was much more complex because it is a social tool im working with with much more robust functionality....it was more like 20 tasks. Also, the script was much more complex because I had to factor in that I had to run the testing tools, write the script, conduct prelminary informational interviews with managers to get a sense of the priorities and scope of the project were, come up with a test administration visual, verbally interview and administer a written survey to each user, observe, take notes, organize data analyze, and generate a report. Lots of work, but im thankful I get to do it. (though its a ton of work:). I kind of wish I could do some eye tracking with these tests, but its a process to even go there and im leaving in a couple of weeks. :(
Now i will admit, I kicked and screamed when it was time to come out here. I get homesick sometimes and not being within a day's driving radius of family is still taking some getting used to. Subletting in living somebody else's house thats not a family member is DEFINITELY an adjustment (completely deserving of its own blog entry)....but i guess I got preparation for my potential living situation when i get back to NYC? (not super excited about it....at all)
But overall, I really love doing ux design work in a corporate environment (definitely worth another blog entry tho)--nice large company that offers health care services and technology products, made some new friends, blessed to have friends from school out here, so its working itself out. Overall, proximity to family aside, I'm definitely glad I came out here and exposed myself. It's a whole 'nother little piece of the country i had never thought to see. If you are on the east coast and are tired of going to florida for vacation, i highly reccommend you plan a trip to the bay. If you just wanted to keep it simple and visit san francisco (which is definitely worth seeing), you can pretty much get away with not having access to a car. However, there is more to this area than san francisco and you pretty much need a car to access those parts comfortably. But it is totally worth coming out here. Totally. Worth. It.
Places and things to go see before i leave at the end of august:
1) Alcatraz
2) Mountain View
3) San Jose
4) Berkley
5) Sacramento
I didn't get to the beach this summer...but thats not a high priority. I've been to many beaches...and as far as the US goes, Im quite certain that it couldn't get any more softer, cleaner and beautiful than the beaches of San Diego. So been there, done that. It'll be here when i come back lol.
Have you ever been to the bay area? WHat was it like? Did you like it or hate it? Is there anything I need to see that I didn't talk about? Do you have any questions about the bay area? Any other thoughts? Please comment below! :)
- Current Location:San Ramon, CA
- Current Mood:
satisfied
So I started this journal back in 2004, while I was in my freshman year of undergrad. I updated it continuously throughout my teaching and grad school days, but then when i moved to nyc, i just kind of stopped
But writing is probably my favorite medium. I like words. And I love to express myself.
Some people think im quiet--but not quiet, just thoughtful. I contemplate. I take it all in. I learn. I understand it how I see and feel about it. And keep it moving. I've done lots of subject focused blog and I never stick with it. Never. However, this journal has never died simply because I get to talk about whatever i feel the most passionate about. It's therapeutic.
I'll talk about the present, the past, the beginning, the future, and the world. I'll talk about my crazy hair, my love for dance (even though i suck at it lol) and my journey to better health. I'll definitely also occasionally throw in some design and tech topics I like...i am a nerd after all. nerd. Just so you know. Essentially, I'll talk about whatever i want and whatever you the reader wants. So its a win win! :)
As you can see, I have provided many opportunities for commenting...you can either sign up with an official LJ username or password, or more simply comment by using fb, or even nicer--you can remain anonymous. I am open to all views and comments that are different than mine, but since Im making a commitment to being respectful--regardless of how controversial my own views are, I am holding everybody to the same standard.
Also, I want to make this a reader's request kind of thing. I am willing to pretty much talk about anything at a high level so people can get the gist of my views. Of course, some topics depending on how explicit they are, there will be some limitations. After all, i do have to be able to keep my job and get one lol.
I've always wanted to share my thoughts publicly...i do all the time on my fb statuses. Some people comment, some people like them, some people do neither, just see me out and about and will tell me they like what I had to say, and some people won't say anything. But either way, I know what I have to say has some value, even if nobody listens lol.
But writing is probably my favorite medium. I like words. And I love to express myself.
Some people think im quiet--but not quiet, just thoughtful. I contemplate. I take it all in. I learn. I understand it how I see and feel about it. And keep it moving. I've done lots of subject focused blog and I never stick with it. Never. However, this journal has never died simply because I get to talk about whatever i feel the most passionate about. It's therapeutic.
I'll talk about the present, the past, the beginning, the future, and the world. I'll talk about my crazy hair, my love for dance (even though i suck at it lol) and my journey to better health. I'll definitely also occasionally throw in some design and tech topics I like...i am a nerd after all. nerd. Just so you know. Essentially, I'll talk about whatever i want and whatever you the reader wants. So its a win win! :)
As you can see, I have provided many opportunities for commenting...you can either sign up with an official LJ username or password, or more simply comment by using fb, or even nicer--you can remain anonymous. I am open to all views and comments that are different than mine, but since Im making a commitment to being respectful--regardless of how controversial my own views are, I am holding everybody to the same standard.
Also, I want to make this a reader's request kind of thing. I am willing to pretty much talk about anything at a high level so people can get the gist of my views. Of course, some topics depending on how explicit they are, there will be some limitations. After all, i do have to be able to keep my job and get one lol.
I've always wanted to share my thoughts publicly...i do all the time on my fb statuses. Some people comment, some people like them, some people do neither, just see me out and about and will tell me they like what I had to say, and some people won't say anything. But either way, I know what I have to say has some value, even if nobody listens lol.
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