The UX Teacher Prep Podcast

S2 Ep 16. New Mission: Using Teaching & UXR for a Higher Purpose

In today's episode I share a personal update about answering a spiritual call to mentor youth in my local community while continuing my UX research career. This unexpected opportunity represents not a step backward but a meaningful expansion that combines my teaching background with my UXR skills in a new context. THANK YOU for sticking with me through this incredible journey! Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2305399/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2305399/support] *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only!  Thanks for the love! Resources: * Follow us on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uxteacherprep/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/uxteacherprep/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrExAA7ixy_9M0CaLjf8uvg] for daily updates and tips.  * Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/discovermyuxpath] to get started on your transition journey to UX. * Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/] to see how we can support you. * Subscribe to our email list [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/contact]to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. * Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here.  [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/podcast] * Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com [hello@uxeacherprep.com]. * Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

S2 Ep 15. Summer Throwback: Top UXR Job Interview Questions

Coach Zee shares essential UX research interview questions and expert advice for teachers transitioning to tech careers. This updated summer episode includes new AI-related interview questions for 2025, along with sample answers tailored specifically for educators making the career change. • Common hiring manager questions focus on research methodologies and staying current with UX trends • New AI-specific questions include how you use AI in your research process and understanding user challenges with AI interfaces • Senior UX researchers want to hear about your process for conducting usability tests and handling conflicting user feedback • UX designers need researchers who provide actionable insights and can balance thorough research with tight deadlines • Product managers ask about aligning research with business objectives and measuring research impact • Having specific project examples ready demonstrates how you handle conflict and advocate for research Note: The original episode was first published on June 11, 2024. Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2305399/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2305399/support] *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only!  Thanks for the love! Resources: * Follow us on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uxteacherprep/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/uxteacherprep/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrExAA7ixy_9M0CaLjf8uvg] for daily updates and tips.  * Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/discovermyuxpath] to get started on your transition journey to UX. * Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/] to see how we can support you. * Subscribe to our email list [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/contact]to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. * Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here.  [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/podcast] * Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com [hello@uxeacherprep.com]. * Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

S2 Ep 14. Finding New Passion After Teaching: My Mystery Tech Job

A brief reflection on how children and family members perceive the shift from dynamic classroom teaching to the seemingly static world of UX research. What looks like "just clicking all day" to a 13-year-old is actually detective work uncovering patterns in human behavior and advocating for users. • The visible nature of teaching versus the invisible complexity of UX work • What my family sees vs what they don't see • Family members' amusing interpretations of my job  • Finding meaning in work that appears mysterious from the outside • Teaching children about UX careers through school career days • Discovering new passion after leaving the classroom Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2305399/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2305399/support] *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only!  Thanks for the love! Resources: * Follow us on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uxteacherprep/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/uxteacherprep/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrExAA7ixy_9M0CaLjf8uvg] for daily updates and tips.  * Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/discovermyuxpath] to get started on your transition journey to UX. * Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/] to see how we can support you. * Subscribe to our email list [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/contact]to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. * Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here.  [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/podcast] * Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com [hello@uxeacherprep.com]. * Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

S2 Ep 13. Standing Out Without Selling Out: UX Job Applications

Navigating the pressures of job hunting while transitioning into UX can tempt anyone to embellish their experience, but authentic storytelling and strategic positioning of real skills prove more effective. I share my personal experience of almost stretching the truth on a job application and how choosing authenticity led to an interview anyway. • Creative and crazy job application tactics that folks have used • My experience finding a perfect-match company but facing discouraging requirements  • The temptation to embellish my background versus the strategy I chose instead • The interview success that came from honest but strategic positioning • Why connecting your real story to their pain point is more powerful than fabrication • The importance of studying companies thoroughly and believing your experience is enough when framed correctly Share this episode with someone who's job hunting and needs encouragement to stand tall in their truth. If you've been tempted to jazz up your resume, let me know what you did instead! Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2305399/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2305399/support] *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only!  Thanks for the love! Resources: * Follow us on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uxteacherprep/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/uxteacherprep/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrExAA7ixy_9M0CaLjf8uvg] for daily updates and tips.  * Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/discovermyuxpath] to get started on your transition journey to UX. * Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/] to see how we can support you. * Subscribe to our email list [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/contact]to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. * Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here.  [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/podcast] * Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com [hello@uxeacherprep.com]. * Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

S2 Ep 12. Confessions of a Remote Worker & Former Teacher

Three years into my career as a UX researcher after leaving the classroom, I'm reflecting on the realities of remote work and what I miss about in-person connection. While I don't regret my career change and appreciate the freedom of working remotely, I'm experiencing unexpected challenges that have me considering a hybrid approach. • Communication has transformed from reading a room to deciphering slack messages and emojis • Brainstorming has lost its spontaneity, becoming scheduled rather than organic • The isolation of remote work creates a void after years in the socially rich teaching environment • Professional visibility requires intentional effort rather than natural presence • The sense of belonging and community is harder to maintain in virtual environments • Experimenting with hybrid work may provide the perfect balance of structure without suffocation • In-person UX research sessions have reignited creative energy that was missing I'd love to hear from fellow teachers who've transitioned to tech roles - is remote still working for you? Are you thriving in the quiet or craving connection? Would you consider hybrid work? Text me through the link under the podcast, DM me on Instagram, or send me an email with your thoughts. Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2305399/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2305399/support] *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only!  Thanks for the love! Resources: * Follow us on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/uxteacherprep/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/uxteacherprep/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrExAA7ixy_9M0CaLjf8uvg] for daily updates and tips.  * Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/discovermyuxpath] to get started on your transition journey to UX. * Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/] to see how we can support you. * Subscribe to our email list [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/contact]to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. * Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here.  [https://www.uxteacherprep.com/podcast] * Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com [hello@uxeacherprep.com]. * Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!