From First-Gen to UX: Jess Mendoza on Redefining the Road to Tech (pt. 1)

Season One Reflections and Reset

The past few weeks I soft-launched a hiatus, and today I'm making it official. Keep your eyes peeled for Season 2 of the Push Pull Podcast!

Near Misses and New Paths (Throwback Highlight Reel)

Today we revisit a couple of “near misses” — where a combination of solid preparation and luck led my guests to thrive or pivot quickly in the face of turmoil in their organizations. Omar Dinar discusses joining Lehman at the onset of the financial crisis, and the impact of the bank's bankruptcy on his career. Being in the real estate division allowed him participation in the acquisition negotiations by Barclays where he excelled for a solid portion of his career. We then revisit our discussion with Annalyn Cruz, at the point where she had years of advising university students under her belt. At a crossroads, she made the tough call to take a pay cut to go into Learning and Development when she had the option to move to a Director-level role. This choice didn’t save her from impending layoffs, but future-proofed her resume to work in corporate spaces. 00:00 Introduction to the MBA Journey 00:25 Landing the Dream Job at Lehman Brothers 02:04 The Financial Crisis Unfolds 02:57 Experiencing Lehman's Collapse 08:07 Transition to Barclays 08:32 A New Path: Semester at Sea 09:49 Pivot to Learning and Development 12:04 Challenges and Growth in L&D 18:03 Final Reflections and Career Transition

Navigating Treacherous Startup Environments and Prioritizing Burnout Recovery (Throwback Highlight Reel)

Navigating the Ups and Downs: From Consulting to Startups and Facing Burnout Today I revist discussions where my guests faced significant adversity in their work lives.  Shalini Chander talks about pivoting to the startup world — and while she gained valuable industry knowledge, the experience was marred by financial instability and unethical practices by the company's founder. This difficult stint was followed by a brief period at another startup focused on diabetes care, where funding issues led to job instability. Ultimately, the she found stability at Abbott, successfully pivoting to Product Management for the rest of her career.  Marshall Robins was a tech Account Executive. In his last couple of companies in this role, he encountered high-pressure environments driven by venture capital expectations and an economic downturn. He understood the importance of taking a step back from his career and getting meaningful rest when he was driven to burnout. 00:00 Shalini Leaving Consulting and Joining a Startup 00:57 Red Flags and Financial Instability 03:29 Lessons Learned and Moving On 05:57 Transition to Diabetes Startup 08:35 Marshall’s Burnout and Career Reflections

Human Workplaces: Jess Mendoza on Side Quests, AI, and Building Relationships (pt 2)

In this episode I continue my conversation with Dr. Jess Mendoza, cognitive psychologist and UX researcher. Upon wrapping up Dr. Mendoza's transition from academia to UX research, we explore her efforts building community within her new company, and her advocacy for AI literacy across the org. Jess shares insights on the role of critical thinking and communication in prompting, the importance of a supportive work environment for pursuing side projects, and the unique challenges faced by different groups in the job market. You’ll hear Jess emphasize the value of fostering human connections at work and give solid advice for navigating career switches. 00:00 Introduction and Recap 00:46 Shifting Gears: Current Workplace Dynamics 01:03 AI in the Workplace 02:51 Building Community and Support Networks 27:35 Navigating Career Challenges 31:38 Final Thoughts and Shoutouts 35:36 Conclusion and Reflections

From First-Gen to UX: Jess Mendoza on Redefining the Road to Tech (pt. 1)

Today I interview Dr. Jess Mendoza, a cognitive psychologist turned UX researcher. Dr. Mendoza shares her inspiring story of being a first-generation college student, pursuing a doctorate, and eventually transitioning into the tech industry. We explore her academic journey, including conducting social experiments and presenting research globally, to making the leap to user experience. Key topics include the emotional challenges of moving away from family, the impact of community and networking, and the importance of persistence and curiosity in navigating career transitions. Jess also highlights the value of feedback and networking in successfully pivoting careers.  00:00 Introduction to the Push Pull Podcast 01:30 Meet Dr. Jess Mendoza: From Academia to UX 02:09 Jess's Early Life and Education 03:20 Discovering a Passion for Research 07:59 The Journey to Graduate School 11:49 Life and Challenges in Graduate School 19:54 Exploring Opportunities Beyond Academia 25:31 Navigating Online Security for Kids 26:31 Developing Educational Curriculums 27:39 From Grad School to Career Decisions 29:13 Discovering UX Research 30:03 The Grad School Dissertation 33:49 Networking and Career Pivot 38:48 Landing the First UX Job 44:49 Adapting to the Corporate World 49:02 Conclusion and Next Steps