Why I Enjoy User Experience

Hi, I’m Austen!

I am somebody who truly cares and is motivated by helping others. Seeing that I can make a positive difference to people through design brings me considerable joy. I’ve been a camp counselor, a group fitness instructor, a disabled students volunteer, worked with mentally impaired children, was a server in a busy restaurant, and a marketing consultant for my dad’s law firm. Since I was young I have enjoyed art and design. (taking AP art classes in high school, creating pencil drawings, decorating my room, and forever moving furniture around. lol)

For example, when I was a server at Bonefish Grill, I was surprised that I could actually identify design/layout issues and create solutions. I found myself constantly moving things around in the kitchen to make items more accessible. I found just moving the straws that everyone struggled to reach to a lower shelf made a big difference to the efficiency of the operation. I came up with several new systems and ways of doing things. So much so that my manager would often pat me on the shoulder and say “thank you for being somebody who cares.”

I’m someone who does my part and is a team player. I was a Division I lacrosse recruit in high school and the team captain. I was always motivating my teammates to play better which led to our team I am constantly thinking of ways to improve things and asking myself “what if ?” or “why can’t it be this way?”

That’s why being a UX designer empowers me. I get to design better apps and websites and help both the people who own the websites and the people who use them. I honestly can’t think of a better career fit because UX design allows me to use my mind, my creativity, and my heart.