In today's episode I share a personal update about answering a spiritual call to mentor youth in my local community while continuing my UX research career. This unexpected opportunity represents not a step backward but a meaningful expansion that combines my teaching background with my UXR skills in a new context. THANK YOU for sticking with me through this incredible journey!

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Note: The UX Teacher Prep Podcast has come to an end and is no longer being updated. The company behind the podcast, UX teacher Prep, LLC, has been dissolved, and the website and coaching program are no longer available. Please disregard any references to them in the episodes or show notes. The podcast archive will remain available for free, and we hope the conversations continue to be helpful. Thank you for listening and for being part of the journey. 

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Coach Zee shares essential UX research interview questions and expert advice for teachers transitioning to tech careers. This updated summer episode includes new AI-related interview questions for 2025, along with sample answers tailored specifically for educators making the career change.

• Common hiring manager questions focus on research methodologies and staying current with UX trends
• New AI-specific questions include how you use AI in your research process and understanding user challenges with AI interfaces
• Senior UX researchers want to hear about your process for conducting usability tests and handling conflicting user feedback
• UX designers need researchers who provide actionable insights and can balance thorough research with tight deadlines
• Product managers ask about aligning research with business objectives and measuring research impact
• Having specific project examples ready demonstrates how you handle conflict and advocate for research

Note: The original episode was first published on June 11, 2024.

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Note: The UX Teacher Prep Podcast has come to an end and is no longer being updated. The company behind the podcast, UX teacher Prep, LLC, has been dissolved, and the website and coaching program are no longer available. Please disregard any references to them in the episodes or show notes. The podcast archive will remain available for free, and we hope the conversations continue to be helpful. Thank you for listening and for being part of the journey. 

Resources:

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• Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

A brief reflection on how children and family members perceive the shift from dynamic classroom teaching to the seemingly static world of UX research. What looks like "just clicking all day" to a 13-year-old is actually detective work uncovering patterns in human behavior and advocating for users.

• The visible nature of teaching versus the invisible complexity of UX work
• What my family sees vs what they don't see
• Family members' amusing interpretations of my job 
• Finding meaning in work that appears mysterious from the outside
• Teaching children about UX careers through school career days
• Discovering new passion after leaving the classroom

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Support the show

Note: The UX Teacher Prep Podcast has come to an end and is no longer being updated. The company behind the podcast, UX teacher Prep, LLC, has been dissolved, and the website and coaching program are no longer available. Please disregard any references to them in the episodes or show notes. The podcast archive will remain available for free, and we hope the conversations continue to be helpful. Thank you for listening and for being part of the journey. 

Resources:

• Follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.
• Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

Navigating the pressures of job hunting while transitioning into UX can tempt anyone to embellish their experience, but authentic storytelling and strategic positioning of real skills prove more effective. I share my personal experience of almost stretching the truth on a job application and how choosing authenticity led to an interview anyway.

• Creative and crazy job application tactics that folks have used
• My experience finding a perfect-match company but facing discouraging requirements 
• The temptation to embellish my background versus the strategy I chose instead
• The interview success that came from honest but strategic positioning
• Why connecting your real story to their pain point is more powerful than fabrication
• The importance of studying companies thoroughly and believing your experience is enough when framed correctly

Share this episode with someone who's job hunting and needs encouragement to stand tall in their truth. If you've been tempted to jazz up your resume, let me know what you did instead!

Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Note: The UX Teacher Prep Podcast has come to an end and is no longer being updated. The company behind the podcast, UX teacher Prep, LLC, has been dissolved, and the website and coaching program are no longer available. Please disregard any references to them in the episodes or show notes. The podcast archive will remain available for free, and we hope the conversations continue to be helpful. Thank you for listening and for being part of the journey. 

Resources:

• Follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.
• Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

Three years into my career as a UX researcher after leaving the classroom, I'm reflecting on the realities of remote work and what I miss about in-person connection. While I don't regret my career change and appreciate the freedom of working remotely, I'm experiencing unexpected challenges that have me considering a hybrid approach.

• Communication has transformed from reading a room to deciphering slack messages and emojis
• Brainstorming has lost its spontaneity, becoming scheduled rather than organic
• The isolation of remote work creates a void after years in the socially rich teaching environment
• Professional visibility requires intentional effort rather than natural presence
• The sense of belonging and community is harder to maintain in virtual environments
• Experimenting with hybrid work may provide the perfect balance of structure without suffocation
• In-person UX research sessions have reignited creative energy that was missing

I'd love to hear from fellow teachers who've transitioned to tech roles - is remote still working for you? Are you thriving in the quiet or craving connection? Would you consider hybrid work? Text me through the link under the podcast, DM me on Instagram, or send me an email with your thoughts.

Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Note: The UX Teacher Prep Podcast has come to an end and is no longer being updated. The company behind the podcast, UX teacher Prep, LLC, has been dissolved, and the website and coaching program are no longer available. Please disregard any references to them in the episodes or show notes. The podcast archive will remain available for free, and we hope the conversations continue to be helpful. Thank you for listening and for being part of the journey. 

Resources:

• Follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.
• Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

In today's short and sweet episode, I explore how teachers can leverage AI (artificial intelligence) tools in education to build valuable skills for transitioning to UX research and design careers. I share practical strategies for using classroom AI experiences to develop a compelling UX portfolio while still teaching.

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Support the show

Note: The UX Teacher Prep Podcast has come to an end and is no longer being updated. The company behind the podcast, UX teacher Prep, LLC, has been dissolved, and the website and coaching program are no longer available. Please disregard any references to them in the episodes or show notes. The podcast archive will remain available for free, and we hope the conversations continue to be helpful. Thank you for listening and for being part of the journey. 

Resources:

• Follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.
• Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

In today's episode, Sharae Gibbs, founder of She Designs and Google Interaction Designer, shares her 12-year journey in UX and her mission to empower women of color in tech through mentorship and training.

• Former Graphic Designer who pivoted to UX design at major tech companies like IBM and Google
• Created She Designs as a mentorship platform for women of color in tech
• Describes Interaction Design as understanding user journeys and touch points to help people achieve goals
• Discusses the value of having representation and community as a Black woman in tech
• Explains how the She Designs UX course evolved to be more flexible and comprehensive
• Shares tools like Otter AI, Gemini, and ChatGPT that help maintain work-life balance
• Provides perspective on how AI is changing UX, but can't replace human empathy and cultural understanding

Teachers already have core UX skills - empathy, communication, problem-solving, and experience designing for different learners. Reframe your classroom experience in UX terminology: lesson planning is experience design, supporting diverse learners is accessibility work, and curriculum adjustments are usability testing and iteration.

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Bio: Sharae Gibbs is the Founder of She Designs, and an Interaction Designer with over 12 years of experience in User Experience (UX) Design. She’s worked at companies like IBM and Google, and her goal is to empower the next generation of women of color in tech. 

Contact Share at: [email protected]

Check out her courses at www.shedesigns.org

Use my discount code ZEEUXPREP for 15% off the course. 

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Support the show

Note: The UX Teacher Prep Podcast has come to an end and is no longer being updated. The company behind the podcast, UX teacher Prep, LLC, has been dissolved, and the website and coaching program are no longer available. Please disregard any references to them in the episodes or show notes. The podcast archive will remain available for free, and we hope the conversations continue to be helpful. Thank you for listening and for being part of the journey. 

Resources:

• Follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.
• Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

In today's episode, I explore accessibility in UX design with Shaine Frazier, a former special education teacher who now works as a UX insights professional in the insurance industry, discussing how teaching experience translates into building more accessible digital products.

• Accessibility in design helps not just people with disabilities but benefits all users
• Simple additions like subtitles in videos make content more accessible while improving overall user experience
• Special education techniques translate directly to UX—meeting users where they are and adapting content to their needs
• Teachers already have experience running meetings with stakeholders (IEP meetings) that mirror UX research presentations
• Less is more when implementing accessibility features—targeted improvements often have bigger impact than complete overhauls
• The future of accessibility in UX must balance AI advancements with human understanding of nuance around disability and diversity

Follow Shane on Instagram and LinkedIn to learn more about his journey from education to UX research.  Instagram: s.d.fraizer  LI: at Shaine Frazier  

___________________________________

Bio: 

Shaine Fraizer was born and raised in the Bronx. He is former Special Education Teacher with a unique journey from education to web design, to user experience design, cumulating in his current role as a Digital Customer Experience (CX) Manager.

Shaine studied psychology at New York Tech, where he gained early teaching experience as a program facilitator with Changing the Odds, mentoring teens on mental health and positive sexual behavior. This sparked his passion for education.

After earning his degree, Shaine pursued Educational Psychology at Columbia University's Teachers College but soon joined the NYC Teaching Fellows, serving Bronx students for five years. During this time, he ventured into web design, creating platforms for his own short-term rental business and an e-commerce company, Science.Teacher.Mom.

His growing interest in UX design led him to complete Google’s Professional UX Design Certification on Coursera. Combining this knowledge with his web design experience, Shaine secured a role as Digital Customer Experience Manager at AIG.

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Support the show

Note: The UX Teacher Prep Podcast has come to an end and is no longer being updated. The company behind the podcast, UX teacher Prep, LLC, has been dissolved, and the website and coaching program are no longer available. Please disregard any references to them in the episodes or show notes. The podcast archive will remain available for free, and we hope the conversations continue to be helpful. Thank you for listening and for being part of the journey. 

Resources:

• Follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.
• Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

This is a replay episode (S1. Ep. 10)- while I'm out sick. I'll be back with fresh content as soon as my voice returns! Thanks for tuning in, I hope you enjoy this throwback gem! 

Whether you’re pivoting careers, breaking into UX or just trying to stand out in this competitive job market, how you articulate your purpose and motivation can make all the difference. 

Today's episode dives into the significance of effectively communicating your ‘why’ in job interviews, specifically for teachers transitioning to new careers. We discuss how understanding and expressing your motivation can set you apart in a competitive job market.

• Importance of articulating your "why" during job interviews
• Steps to craft a compelling personal story
• Tips for demonstrating confidence and enthusiasm during the interview

Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Note: The UX Teacher Prep Podcast has come to an end and is no longer being updated. The company behind the podcast, UX teacher Prep, LLC, has been dissolved, and the website and coaching program are no longer available. Please disregard any references to them in the episodes or show notes. The podcast archive will remain available for free, and we hope the conversations continue to be helpful. Thank you for listening and for being part of the journey. 

Resources:

• Follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.
• Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

The episode highlights the transferable skills educators possess that can open new career pathways outside teaching. I discuss how teacher skills can pave the way for successful careers in areas like curriculum design, project management, policy-making, and more. 

• Exploring the adaptability of teaching skills 
• Importance of communication and collaboration 
• Leadership experiences gained in the classroom 
• Career transition opportunities for teachers 
• Emphasizing the value of networking and mentorship 
• Strategies for leveraging teaching skills in new areas 
• Defining actionable steps for career transition 
• Encouragement to embrace new possibilities and futures

Episodes mentioned in this one:

S1 E10. Communicating Your Why in Job Interviews

S1 E5. The Art of Networking When Changing Careers

Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message.

Support the show

Note: The UX Teacher Prep Podcast has come to an end and is no longer being updated. The company behind the podcast, UX teacher Prep, LLC, has been dissolved, and the website and coaching program are no longer available. Please disregard any references to them in the episodes or show notes. The podcast archive will remain available for free, and we hope the conversations continue to be helpful. Thank you for listening and for being part of the journey. 

Resources:

• Follow us on Linkedin and Instagram.
• Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!