Last week I attended the Health Experience Refactored Conference in Boston. It was good--a quick two days and on the smaller size, attendance wise. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and talked to people--walked up to strangers, introduced myself and had a conversation. I was good at it--I can say that because the conference ended and I'd made great connections, learned about lots of interesting opportunities, and got a headful of new ideas.
Networking still make me nervous. #gah The friends that I consider successful are all really confident networkers and I know it's a disability I have to learn to get over. I'm slowly improving.
Things I learned worth referencing:
1. UX Research. I'm pretty sure I want to pursue a career as a UX Researcher (as opposed to a UX or Interaction Designer). I love research and it compliments my background. For now, that means I need to take more statistics and behavioral sciences courses.
Gamestorming
2. Health Literacy and Equity. Apparently, one of my professors is The Expert when it comes to user experience design and literacy. I need to talk to her. Also, CommunicateHealth is doing all the things I'm interested in. They're HQ'd in Rockville. Will they take on an intern?
3. Design and Behavior Change. Every day, people struggle to manage illness, chronic conditions and incorporate preventative health activities into their busy lifestyles. How can we leverage learning across disciplines—from health care, psychology and behavioral economics to computer, systems and product design—to transform people’s motivations, attitudes, and behaviors?
Networking still make me nervous. #gah The friends that I consider successful are all really confident networkers and I know it's a disability I have to learn to get over. I'm slowly improving.
Things I learned worth referencing:
1. UX Research. I'm pretty sure I want to pursue a career as a UX Researcher (as opposed to a UX or Interaction Designer). I love research and it compliments my background. For now, that means I need to take more statistics and behavioral sciences courses.
Gamestorming
2. Health Literacy and Equity. Apparently, one of my professors is The Expert when it comes to user experience design and literacy. I need to talk to her. Also, CommunicateHealth is doing all the things I'm interested in. They're HQ'd in Rockville. Will they take on an intern?
3. Design and Behavior Change. Every day, people struggle to manage illness, chronic conditions and incorporate preventative health activities into their busy lifestyles. How can we leverage learning across disciplines—from health care, psychology and behavioral economics to computer, systems and product design—to transform people’s motivations, attitudes, and behaviors?
"True user research is hard to take because it forces you to consider the true behaviors of real people who aren’t like you and quickly reveals wishful thinking."--Focus groups are worthless
4. MadPow. They offer summer internships in UX Research ( http://madpow.madpow-staging.
Experience Research5. StartingBloc--joining the NYC chapter is well worth the commute--this from a biased member of the NYC chapter :) Scholarships available. More reasons for NYC trips!
- Flexible hours; if you’re still in school, we’ll work with your schedule
- Experience as a User Experience Researcher, ideally within a digital agency setting
- Ability to ask the right questions and to listen for insightful answers
- Strong user-observation skills, ability to understand & apply user-centered design best practices & technique
6. I need to get my very defined, well exercised bum into the Usability Lab. Testing is usually during the weekday, during work hours and that has deterred me, but I need to figure out weekend or evening tests. Must-have experience and even better if I lead a project.
7. Update and revise my portfolio and get new business cards: Never Trust A Skinny Chef
8. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Visiting Scholars and Residencies #yesplease
7. Update and revise my portfolio and get new business cards: Never Trust A Skinny Chef
8. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Visiting Scholars and Residencies #yesplease
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