Hello! My name is Lauren, and I’m a UX Researcher based in Denver, Colorado.
My UX journey began in 2015 as I prepared to graduate from Arizona State University with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. At the time, I was deeply drawn to interviewing people and crafting stories that resonated with others. I also loved experimenting creatively—building sites on Squarespace, blogging on platforms like WordPress and Tumblr, and creating graphics on Canva.
I found myself captivated by the intersection of psychology, design, business, and storytelling. When I discovered the world of UX, it felt like a revelation. For the first time, I didn’t have to choose between my interests; instead, I saw a career path that combined them all. Curious and excited, I began exploring UX independently, diving into books, blogs, and videos to learn more. At first, I was drawn to UX design, but it quickly became clear that my passion extended far beyond creating interfaces—I wanted to understand the broader user experience and how I could shape it.
As I started immersing myself in this world, serendipity played its part. I met a UX Designer whose work inspired me, and I boldly asked if I could intern with them. To my delight, they said yes. I spent three days a week at their office, soaking up knowledge and learning from talented designers. It was nerve-wracking at times, but I threw myself into every opportunity, eager to understand the nuances of user experience and contribute wherever I could.
My background in journalism gave me an unexpected advantage. I began documenting what I was learning during my internship, writing blog posts and sharing them online. To my surprise, my posts gained traction, and I quickly grew a following of over 6,000 people. Soon, others in the field began reaching out—not just for design advice, but for insights into UX as a whole. This marked the beginning of my journey into thought leadership and mentorship, which would later become a central part of my career.
2015 was an exciting time to enter the UX field. Startups were thriving, apps were proliferating, and the demand for better user experiences was skyrocketing. I felt incredibly fortunate to be at the right place at the right time, but I also recognized that my passion, willingness to share, and consistent follow-through were key factors in creating opportunities. I liked to think of it as increasing my “luck surface area.”
One day, while sitting in class, I received an email that changed everything. The subject line read: “UX Design Opening at NASA JPL,” and the message was brief: “Are you interested?” It was signed by a Chief Data Scientist. A whirlwind of email exchanges and interviews followed, and before I knew it, I was flying to Los Angeles for a full day of on-site interviews at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory—the renowned institution behind groundbreaking space exploration missions.
Landing that role was a pivotal moment in my career. It gave me a front-row seat to the power of UX, not just as a design discipline, but as a lens through which to solve complex problems and elevate experiences. Over the years, I’ve discovered my niche in UX research, where I can combine my love for storytelling, human behavior, and strategy to drive meaningful change.
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges—imposter syndrome, moments of uncertainty, and even an adventurous gap year—but it has been nothing short of transformative. Today, I’m grateful to be working in the dynamic world of UX, managing and mentoring aspiring professionals, and continuing to learn from this ever-evolving field. For me, UX isn’t just a career; it’s a calling to understand people, solve problems, and create experiences that matter.
