My career path

As part of teaching Flatiron School’s UX/UI design course, I did an introduction to the student cohort about my career path so far. Career paths tend to be pretty messy but it all makes sense with hindsight!

Key turning points for me:

• Finding out about market research as a career option whilst studying English at uni - thanks to TNS for that presentation! Finding out what people do and think and why is an ongoing motivation.

• Working on customer research analysis for Walkers which they liked so they sent me a huge box of crisps. If anyone else feels like doing that, salt & vinegar are my favourites.

• Travelling to the US for the first time ever on a business trip to Atlanta where I presented at Coca Cola’s HQ. Very intense, exciting and nerve-wracking.

• Moving from agency to client-side, consumer to b2b for my role at RBI. This is where I learned about UX, became a UXer and built the UX team. There were lots of lessons in diversity and inclusion, practitioner to manager skills and running conferences.

• Taking a 3 month sabbatical, in which I took a step back and went travelling.

• Setting up Creative Product Consulting and working with startups and the public sector.

• Enjoying teaching and developing my interest in alternative education.