AR2021-Practicing Learners and Learning Practicioners (Victor M. Gonzalez, Spirentia)

—> My name is Victor Gonzalez, and I lead a research agency
— My goal is to discuss an experiment in the  last two years, to help people become UX researchers

 

—> Let’s clarify two words. “To Be” or “To Become”, you can state something that continues and changes
—> To become means a process will never end, while “be” designates a state
—> But first, let’s understand difference in context of how professionals are finding it hard to develop UX research skills overall

 

 

—> The question this talk will answer: why have a full spectrum training of UX foundations and research?
—> What we learned from our experience, and how to apply it to yours?

 

—> The problem is that there is a clear need for UX professionals in Latin America that is urgent
—>  Compared to five years ago, people are asking for professional UX researchers

 

—> Companies are growing UXR in terms of numbers, with some companies having more than 200 designers, 20-30% of whom are dedicated UX researchers

 

—> Looking at communities, people are starting to lookin got what UX research roles are available

 

—> But I was speaking with a friend, and we had a long conversation that as professionals, it was hard for her to be recognized as a UX researcher

 

—> So why are typical training paths for UX research broken?
  • Universities are not interested in providing UX research training, with few specialized degrees, or even electives.
  • UX research requires professional practical context to connect with students with companies, beyond practical projects, and that’s not provided in Latin America
  • Companies that want senior positions, don’t have apprentice level or any entry-level experience positions

 

 

—> To solve this we implemented a program to help people enter the UX research field, and a program to boost the skills of existing practitioners

 

 

—> We created a six month program for students who are recent graduates of universities
  • First two months of practical training
  • Third month out, students start practical projects
  • Six months out, work with real clients
—> Training is practical and informal, and  students can either get a job or develop as staff members at the agency

 

—> We also came up with a program of professional seminars for existing professionals
—> These are equivalent to post-grad seminar where people learn the material by themselves and then have group discussions
  • Selection process and payment is required
—> Have attracted people from different places  across Latin America

 

—> Pre-Professionals start with a “How might I be a researcher”?
  • You start with a question about yourself (I might be) to (I am)
—> Professionals
  • Have “Am I?”, where they learned by practice and identify as researchers

 

—> We need to convince people there is a process of “becoming” a UX researcher, and that there is no “fixed” state

 

—> We have wide spectrum of methods in our program , and from quantitative to qualitative, and from behavior to attitudes

 

—> Fundamental elements of our curriculum are taught at the master level, so that people  understand foundations of psychology, sociology of user research

 

—> The profile of a UX researcher is about students being able to use design research, not just applying techniques
  • Knowing needs of clients/business, and creating a design that solves their needs

 

—> Our best practices are based on five generations of seminar programs and apprentices and starting this year with six individuals

 

 

—> By applying practice, help people understand what they study is not important to becoming a user researcher
  • Don’t limit people on admissions or roles they take on to be a researcher

 

 

—> Example of Fernando, who was part of our first generation of apprentices
  • Today one of  our best facilitators of usability testing, and good at qualitative analysis

 

 

—> We emphasize that we won’t learn every single facet of user research. Instead we focus on:
  • Integrate learning into project
  • Learning what you need

 

 

—> Example of working with company that worked in crypto-currencices
  • Came out with project for our client, based on idea they could learn enough to sell clients, even though we had little crypto-currency experience.

 

 

—> Understanding is not about individual but group and collective, and we need to get used to working as a team of researchers

 

 

—> Example of report in how person puts together project, where people have ability to do co-writing a report together, and in parallel
  • This defines UX practices like co-moderation

 

 

—>The idea is for students to do enough with the time they have available, and understanding everything is work in progress
  • Be willing to fight against your perfectionism

 

 

 

—> Deliver results every week for a company and gather requirements and report

 

—> Especially in Lat-Am/Mexico think there is sense that US/Europe have all the information
  • However, I believe Mexico and Latin America can contribute to our own design practice, and contribute to the global design conversation

 

—> On moving people from classmates to alumni. Many are still with group, while others have moved on to other companies

 

 

—> So here’s the summary of becoming a UX researcher:
  • Burn your title
  • Learn as you go
  • Lean on your peers
  • Do your best-then ship the product
  • Always be curious
  • Move from being a classmate to being an alumnus

 

—> So what’s next?
—> Helping people understand how to become a UX researcher in seminar and apprentice programs,
  • Our focus is on developing a growth mindset as UX researchers
—> So what’s next for you, and what’s next for us?
  • How can you move from be/become model when it comes to defined paths for professional development
    • How can you change that so people invited to “become” instead of staying stuck at “be”.

 

—> Our academy is moving fast and moving to new countries
  • Covering practical connection and how to put things together with local companies
—> Helping people become better at what they want to do
—> Hope these ideas can be applied to your own context

 

Q&A: 
  1. As you’ve been building and evolving programs like these two that you’ve described, what do you think is different for you, as a teacher or instructor – how would you characterize that role now versus 5 years ago??
A: Very different, in that you are focused on serving businesses, while still modeling practice based off academic knowledge
—> What I’m taking from role is seeing myself as orchestrator of professional experience.
  • Can only learn it in real world and use it in entrepreneurial endeavors
  1. Are there any programs similar to yours that are in English?
A; Jared Spool had program of Center Centre similar to idea for what is being put up in Mexico
—> Many other bootcamps using similar work