You might be wondering how I ended up in UI/UX design. Follow my journey from U.S. History, to fitness, to healthcare, and finally to UI/UX below.
If you'd rather see all this information in a more boring traditional format... feel free to jump to my experience OR... you can download a copy of my resume. (Who doesn't like having options?)
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Let's get started!
Hey there!
My Journey
Start
San Francisco State University
I wasn't done nerding out on history after completing my BA. So, I enrolled in Master's in History program at San Francisco State.
This program involved weekly deep reads of primary and secondary historical sources, group analysis and discussion and identifying personal bias in research. During this time, I also acted as a TA for an undergraduate course at S.F. State.
After three intense years of study, I graduated with honors with a Master's Degree in history with an emphasis in 20th century U.S. foreign policy.​
2008-2012
University of San Francisco
Though I started my college years at the University of California, Santa Barbara, I quickly decided that the sun and the beach are not really my thing... what can I say, I'm a true San Franciscan and I love the fog. I eventually landed at the University of San Francisco where I Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in U.S. History.
While there, I enrolled in the Honors Program in the Humanities, published an article in the student journal and also took time to work as a TA and Research Assistant at the Holocaust Center of Northern California.​
2004-2007
The Bar Method
(Elevated Assets)
After working out at the studio off and on for a few years, I decided to audition for the role of instructor at The Bar Method. Once I was accepted, I completed a six-month certification program that covered human anatomy, Bar Method exercises, hands-on-adjusting technique, musicality, and public speaking.
As a Master Instructor, I participated in quarterly exercise update meetings and was responsible for passing a yearly re-certification exam. I also acted as a mentor to new trainees on top of designing and teaching a minimum of three classes a week.
2013-2024
Certified Medical Assisting
(Mission Language and Vocational School)
​ At the height of the recession, I decided to change careers and venture into medicine. I enrolled in a local year-long intensive medical assisting program at Mission Language and Vocational School (MLVS) in San Francisco.
During that time, I completed coursework in human anatomy, medical billing, phlebotomy, EKGs, and how to properly prep for and assist providers during medical procedures. I then completed a month-long externship at Kaiser Permanente of San Francisco​.
2015-1016
Kaiser Permanente
(Medical Assistant)
Upon completion of my Medical Assisting program, I was hired as a Medical Assistant in the same department I completed my externship in - Adult and Family Medicine at Kaiser, San Francisco.
On a daily basis, I am responsible for assisting providers with their in-baskets and with scheduling appointments, I also take vitals, administer vaccines and medications, and update medical records.​
2016-Present
Springboard
(UI/UX Design)
​ Although I love my team and working with patients, I am ready to move on to the next chapter of my life and my career. To that end, I decided to pivot into UX/UI design.
In January, 2023, I enrolled in the Springboard UX/UI bootcamp. During that year, I completed four UI/UX design projects, mastered skills in information architecture, sketching, and wireframing, prototyping and testing. Coursework also covered topics of eCommerce and browsing, persuasive and anticipatory design, gamification and behavior change, dashboards and data design and product lifecycle.​
I officially completed my program in January 2024!
January 2023-January 2024
Check out my work!
Experience
Springboard UI/UX Design Program (January 2023 - January 2024)
Key Projects:
Level Up
Role: UI/UX Designer | Project Duration: January 2023 - July 2023
Based on research, I created a comprehensive exercise app that inspires women to regularly engage in exercise, sports, and weightlifting.
Research and Design:
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Conducted secondary and primary research to identify the primary problems requiring solutions.
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Created hi-fi prototype and launched user testing to identify areas of strength followed by phases of iteration.
Outcome:
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Zero-to-one project that connects users with trainers, local sports, and on-demand exercise videos.
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Users satisfied that all aspects of their desired exercise regime were combined in one app.
TinyTales
Role: UI/UX Designer | Project Duration: 1 week design sprint (September 2023)
Using the 5-day Google Venture design sprint model, I brainstormed solutions and designed a prototype addressing client complaints surrounding the inability to quickly find age-appropriate or topical stories.
Research and Design:
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Conducted competitive analysis to uncover industry standards in organizing and searching large content libraries.
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Sketched solutions to problems to distinguish the most user-centric solution in a time and cost-effective manner.
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Created high-fidelity prototype and led user testing to validate design choices and locate areas requiring future iteration.
Outcome:
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Revamped the method for searching and filtering stories by reader age or category to improve user experience.
Breakaway Cyclery
Role: UI/UX Designer | Project Duration: September 2023 - October 2023
Tasked by the PM with solving user roadblocks in comparing products and implementing a guest checkout option for the mobile site to prevent cart abandonment.
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Research and Design:
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Conducted competitive analysis to discover competitor strengths and growth opportunities.
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Led interviews and pinpointed 3 user expectations and preferences regarding product comparison.
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Created a high-fidelity prototype showcasing solutions and led user testing to validate design choices.
Outcome:
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Created a comparison feature that allowed users to save and compare selected products to reduce bounce rate.
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Incorporated guest checkout to decrease cart abandonment and improve conversion rates.
BoardSpace (Client Contract)
Role: UI/UX Team Leader | Contract Duration: November 2023 - December 2023
As leader of a three-person cross functional team, I managed the client relationship to uncover and address business and user needs and presented the team’s design mockups to the CEO and lead Engineer for review.
Research and Design:
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Synthesized data from user interviews and conducted heuristic evaluation that resulted in the discovery of 5 critical and 3 moderate heuristic violations.
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Created multiple solutions for each problem identified in the heuristic evaluation.
Outcome:
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Optimized the layout and functionality of the meeting dashboard with a minimalist design aesthetic.
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Revamped the meeting minutes to improve user experience by updating icons to match industry standards, modified page layouts for minimalist aesthetic, and improved the UI of closing meetings to reduce user error.
Other Experience
Medical Assistant
Kaiser Permanente (2016 - Present)
Duties/Responsibilities​:
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Direct patients to exam rooms, document medical history, field questions, and prepare for physician exams.
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Build strong relationships with patients through effective communication that fosters trust in the clinic’s commitment to quality care.
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Boost patient satisfaction by providing compassionate care and promptly addressing patient needs.
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How it relates to UI/UX​​​:
Empathy - Deep understanding of user needs through empathetic interactions with patients, translating seamlessly into empathizing with end-users in design.
Communication Skills - Developed strong communication skills, essential for conducting user interviews, gathering feedback, and collaborating with stakeholders.
Time Management - Managing multiple patients and tasks enhances the ability to handle various design projects and meet deadlines effectively.
Team Collaboration - Collaborating with healthcare professionals fosters teamwork skills, crucial for working with cross-functional design and development teams.
Ethical Considerations - Understanding the importance of confidentiality and ethics in healthcare translates to ethical design practices and respecting user privacy.
User-Centered Approach - A strong foundation in prioritizing patient care aligns with the user-centered design approach.
Bar Method Instructor
Bar Method, Inc. (2013 - 2024)
Duties/Responsibilities
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Completed intensive certification that covered human anatomy, Bar Method exercises and foundations, hands-on-adjusting, musicality, and public speaking​
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Maintained certification by passing yearly exams​
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Design and deliver class to students
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Correct form for safety or offer modifications to accommodate differing physical abilities
How it relates to UI/UX​​​:
Adaptability - Adapting workout plans on-the-fly to meet the diverse needs of clients translates to the iterative design processes and adapting to user feedback.
User Feedback - Regularly seeking feedback from clients on their progress parallels conducting user testing and implementing user feedback in design.
Attention to Detail - Ensuring proper exercise form parallels the attention to detail needed for pixel-perfect designs.
Planning and Organization - Planning structured classes develops organizational skills, important for managing design projects and workflows.
Education
UI/UX Design Certification
Springboard (January 2023 - January 2024)
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Earned a Certificate in UX/UI Research and Design in a 12 month program
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Completed hands-on projects and mastered skills in research, synthesis, user empathy map and user persona creation, user flows, heuristic analysis, sketching, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and iteration
Certified Medical Assistant
Mission Language and Vocational School (2015 -2016)
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Obtained certification in a truncated Medical Assisting program
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Completed coursework in human anatomy, medical billing, phlebotomy, and conducting EKGs
Master's in U.S. History (20th Century Foreign Relations)
San Francisco State University (2008 - 2012)
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Graduated Cum Laude with a Master's Degree in U.S. History, with an emphasis in 20th century U.S. foreign policy
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Completed weekly deep reads of primary and secondary historical sources and participated in group analysis
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Learned to identify personal bias in research
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Wrote and edited analysis of different individuals and events in American history
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Acted as a TA for college level courses in U.S. history at S.F. State
Bachelor of Arts in U.S. History
University of San Francisco (2004 - 2007)
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Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in U.S. History
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Participated in the Honors Program in the Humanities
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Published an article in the student journal, Writing for a Real World, and received an honorable mention for a second article
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Acted as a Teaching and Research Assistant at The Holocaust Center of Northern California
Skills
Tools:
​Design Skills:
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Wireframing
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Prototyping
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Usability Testing
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Storyboarding
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UI Design
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Information Architecture​​
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Mockups
​Research Skills:
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User Interviews
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Site Maps
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Card Sorting
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Heuristic Analysis
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Personas
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User Journey
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Competitive Analysis
Soft Skills:
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Time Management
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Empathy
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Critical Thinking
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Flexibility
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Active Listening
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Communication
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Collaboration