College Experiences Helped a Senior Bilingual UX Researcher at Bixal Succeed
Nicolas's most significant career lesson is "trusting yourself," aligning career choices with personal values, even if it means foregoing a potentially higher-paying job. This principle guided their academic choices and subsequent transition from academia into government consulting UX research, emphasizing the importance of finding a role that fosters passion and long-term fulfillment rather than solely focusing on immediate financial gain.
Career Exploration, Job Search, Career Development, Motivation, Overcoming Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Nicolas Doyle
Senior Bilingual UX Researcher
Bixal
Bowling Green State University
University of Southern California - Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | Pennsylvania State University - Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics
Spanish & Other Languages
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. Trust yourself and your values when making career decisions.
2. Don't settle for the first job offer; ensure it aligns with your values for long-term success.
3. Finding a career path that allows you to express your passions and values is crucial for fulfillment and success.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
I would say it's a very personal lesson, but one of trusting yourself. Know your values and follow that; let that guide you. I think that was one constant thread across all of my experiences.
It was behind my decision to major in Spanish without necessarily knowing if I would get the highest paying job. But at this point, the things that I value and am passionate about were telling me to pursue this route, and I figured it out from there.
This approach followed all of my experiences and got me to where I am now. It also speaks to the job search process. Sometimes it's tempting to take the first job offer you get, but it may not necessarily be a job that aligns with your values. In my experience, that doesn't set the scene for long-term success.
It was really important to me, especially moving from academia into this UX space, that I found roles and positions fully aligned with what I valued and wanted to do. This is what led me to this government consulting space.
Knowing what it is that you find meaningful and are passionate about, and following that, is important. Find a way to find a position, a career, a company that allows you to express that.