Dear Hiring Managers & Talent Coordinators: Let’s Talk Icebreaker Activities
On the first day of one of my internships, I, along with about 5 other students were asked to share our name, school, hometown, and spirit animal. A few days later, this question was reused with over 300 students working at the company. As people laughed and said their spirit animal was a dog because they’re active, or Kanye West because they’re confident, I thought to myself, “it’s 2019, and this is still happening?”.
Empathy is not Enough
In the design world, the word ‘empathy’ is tossed around quite a lot - meaning the ability to understand another person’s feelings or experiences. To be a good designer you must be able to empathize with your users, team members, and clients. But what happens when empathy isn’t enough? It’s important to be able to understand someone else and put yourself in their shoes, but as designers, we must strive to do more.
Navigating Feedback During User Testing
Usability testing is a process where a designer seeks to validate their prototype. By speaking with real potential users, a designer can validate whether key pain points discovered during their research stage are being addressed, understand how users interact with the app to identify areas of improvement, find data points to support design decisions, and ultimately improve the user experience. But what happens when you get so much feedback that it’s hard to know what to use and what may not be as relevant?
Can a Mentor Feel Imposter Syndrome?
In my first two months working full-time at one of Canada’s largest banks, I have been asked to judge student hackathons, interview students for product innovation internships, and mentor early talent working in technology. While I am flattered every time I have been asked to share my insights and experiences with these students, I always ask myself “Why would they choose me?”
UX Isn’t Just For Designers: Why Digital Marketers Should Understand User Experience
Website design is a key component of any product. Something beautiful, intuitive, and accessible is key to wowing users as soon as they get to your website. From a marketing perspective, the look and feel of your website is the first impression a visitor will have of your brand.
How To Wrap Up a Co-Op Term
The end of your term is arguably more important than the beginning of your term, as this is your final chance to demonstrate your value to your team, show your confidence in establishing connections, and make the most of what you've learned. While ending your term, you’ll want to leave a lasting impression and finish up on the best note possible!
11 Things Great Student Managers Do
Not every student experience is created equally, and often, this comes down to the manager. Impressions mean so much more when you only have a student on your team for 4 months, so it’s crucial that you start before their first day. You never know - they could be your next full-time hire on the team, or they could recommend other great candidates for student roles.