In one of my first jobs after college, my boss asked me to conduct a usability study. As I delved into this unknown world, my love for the user experience was born. Those first few studies and designs were terrible, but with practice and perseverance, I started to figure it out.For many years now, I have led UX research efforts and made data-driven recommendations in both enterprise and consulting settings. My experience spans a variety of industries such as education, finance, retail, and healthcare and includes products, print materials, websites, mobile apps, and software.Through all of this, I have demonstrated many essential qualities: - Insightful and Strategic Research Skills: With so many years dedicated to UX research, I have developed a deep understanding of people, their behaviors, and how they engage with products. My research has resulted in significant improvements, such as a reduction in usability issues, an increase in stakeholder empathy, next-generation product strategies, and user-centric research programs. - Impactful Communication and Storytelling: Throughout my career, I have honed my communication skills to present objective user experience details and to convey the story behind the research. This is evidenced by a high adoption rate of recommendations during my time as a user experience researcher at Apollo Education Group. - Independent and Perceptive Collaboration: Skillfully managing multiple projects simultaneously, I have navigated challenging project teams, led junior researchers, tackled ambiguity, and consistently achieved favorable outcomes across diverse environments. By balancing the autonomy required for consulting with effective teamwork, I secured a high rate of repeat business as a consultant from satisfied clients. - Curiosity and Resourceful Problem-Solving: My love for learning and problem-solving is a driving force behind my career. I have always sought to challenge myself personally and professionally whether it is mastering a new research methodology, getting up to speed on a new industry, or starting a second, successful small business venture.