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Ground
Floor Perspective on the Usability Job Hunt
by Berna Tural
(WebWord Guest Author)
Summary:
This is a guest written article by Berna Tural, a recent college graduate
from Carleton University in Ottawa. She is looking for a job in the usability
field. I asked her to tell me more about her experiences so that WebWord
readers would understand what it is like to be on the ground floor in
usability. Similarly, I wanted people to see the other side of the
hunt.
Background on Berna Tural, The Job Seeker
First, I would like to give you some background information so you know where I am coming from. I was born and raised in Montreal. After completing CEGEP, before going to university in the French educational system, I attended Carleton University in Ottawa.
I chose Carleton University for two reasons, first was that I learned if I pursued my post-secondary education in another province than
Ontario, due to my high GPA I would be able to begin my studies from the second year. Second, Carleton University had a well-established and recognized Psychology Department which offered many different opportunities and programs.
At Carleton, during my last year, I was
introduced to Human-Factors and Usability Testing, through a Product Design
class. Because I became very interested in the field and the university did not offer any other classes which I could take, I decided to pursue my interest with an Independent Study. One of the presenters from the Product Design class agreed to supervise me on a study to conduct usability testing of the IceRadio.com site. She knew that the company wanted to test their website and get feedback on design issues and assigned me on that project.
Through the collection of the designers' concerns, researching streaming media website issues and designing the testing protocol I learned how to effectively design and conduct a usability test first-hand.I also gathered the data and presented it to the company where I experienced the challenge of answering designers' questions and finding a middle-ground on certain issues. Through this experience I developed a
two-way passion for usability. I consider it two way because, one is to help users and the general population find the web more user-friendly and less time consuming as well as to help them integrate this ubiquitous technology into their daily lives to make their lives less complicated. The second aspect of my passions is the presentation of the findings to the designers and management and try to convince them of the necessary changes, and allow them to view those changes as an investment rather than expensive and time consuming hassles. I want to be a part of a team who can help the population and real-users communicate with the designers of those products which will become a certain part of their daily lives.
The Tactics!
My tactics for job-hunting in the field of usability include various approaches. I do everything from
cold-calling to applying online, from walking to a company and speaking with somebody in the usability group to keeping contacts. My limited contacts are also in Ottawa and I try to get leads from them of potential employers and keep them informed of my situation. I attend to as many usability related meetings as I can, such as the
UPA and monthly CAPCHI meetings in Ottawa. I meet people and give them my resume, as well as explain to them my situation. I offered to volunteer for companies or work on a very short-term contract.
I am not sure if this is the wrong way to go or not, but I am yet to see any results except for promises. This will answer your question on how the market looks as a recent graduate and what my biggest challenges are. As a recent graduate researching the market for nearly six months now,
the market does not seem very promising. Because everywhere I have applied to is either asking for or preferring experienced individuals. I perfectly understand the point of view of employers on hiring experienced professionals vs. new graduates, however, I fail to understand where and how I will be one of those experienced professionals in the future if nobody opens the door. But, I do not want to mislead you and pretend that I am talking about the general market, I am mostly talking about the market here in Ottawa.
Canada Versus the United States
My experience with the professionals in the States has been surprisingly positive and different. I got responses for all the resumes I have sent and phone calls I have placed. I do not want to sound naive, I was not expecting to be flown into the States with the first flight and begin my career there without any experience, I just wanted to know what will happen. I am glad I had such a curiosity.
I understand the risk and expenses involved in hiring an inexperienced usability specialist from Canada. But I got something better than a position there. People lent me a hand. They provided me with resources and information I would not have been able to get otherwise. I will also holdback or hesitate on letting you in on a national secret! You probably are aware of it anyway. When I asked people I knew here, why they did could not help me develop myself, and just show me the way as others were doing, they replied simply as
"we don't have time for such activities."
It is expected here in Ottawa, that I should get an MA in Human Factors before I start my first job in the field. Although I do want to pursue a masters degree in the future, I do not want to begin such an opportunity for the wrong reasons. I do not want to get an M.A just to get a job. I want to know what I am really interested in usability, the hottest issues, what I could do my thesis on etc. I want to be a part of the field and have a few years experience and first hand knowledge of the field before I do begin my career as a masters student. And I stress the fact that I WILL be a masters student one day when I know exactly where and why I should.
View on Technological Skills
I certainly think technological skills will be helpful in getting a usability job. I feel that the
line between usability testing and GUI design is not clear yet. Because in most job-descriptions having a technological skill (even C++) is listed either as an asset or an essential skill. Many places also ask for a number of URLs to be listed on the resume, which is what I am working on. To me personally knowing to prototype with HTML is different from building and maintaining a fully functional web-site. However, I am fully pro-learning and try to develop myself as much as I can. My point is that without having a website of my own, I would be able to handle the position of usability specialist within a group with my current knowledge and develop new skills everyday. Nevertheless, this is another challenge for me and I will develop some technological skills. I have self-taught Visual Basic 6.0 and consider myself accurate in using it. These technological skills, will help me create more efficient prototypes with various tools, which I am totally aware of.
Ideas on Usability
To me "usability" is the most important concept of the web and other products being developed. Although there are concepts within usability, as in what makes a web-site usable, if users view the site or product
too complicated at first they change sites or products.
Navigational issues in web-sites, such as having everything there for the user and making sure to not loose them along the way to the destination, is very important in the usability of web-sites. There must be another way than just listing the links to tell users where they will end up. Users should be able to see where they will be before they get there. Colors, graphics, download times, and now the progressive use of Flash animations are very important in making the site seem interesting and usable enough to the user to allow them to stay, rather than overwhelm them.
A
Another concept in web-usability is concerning the testing of a site. There should be more clear answers to how many users, with which backgrounds should be tested on a site to determine the key problems. Right now everybody is saying, "Yes, Nielsen is right 5 users would be enough but we will still go ahead with 10-15 users...just to be safe." In my experience of testing the iceradio.com website
I noticed that after the 3rd user almost everything was repeated. But I do acknowledge that it was only one study, however, it is still a valid point.
Berna's Perfect Job
My perfect job in usability includes aspects with the company as well as the position. I am looking for a job that utilizes my strongest skills, such as my analytical, problem-solving and creative skills. I think it is also important that
my role in the organization be clearly tied to the goals of the
organization. It would also be great to have a job that is at times challenging, one that stretches my beyond my current abilities. I am very eager to learn and develop my skills related to usability. I would like to be a part of a team where I can test users, present the data and take a part in implementing the necessary changes.
What next?
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