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Design School & work series
Design School & Work series
Script: Things I wish I have learned in Design School
Script: Closing the gap
Script: Future-proofing UX education: Balancing Technology and Responsibility
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Script: Closing the gap


Initial round of introductions:

The panellists:
Adeola Wale-Kolade, PhD
UX Research at Google
⁠
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeola-wale-kolade/
⁠
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Adam Palanica, PhD
Senior Manager, Global HR Insights and People Analytics at Scotiabank
⁠
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampalanica/
⁠
⁠
Isabel Almaguer, M.HCI
User Experience (UX) Research Advisor at Enbridge
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/almagueri/
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⁠
Ryan Los, PhD
Manager, UX Research at TELUS Digital
⁠
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlos/
⁠
An initial round of Introductions.

Note: These questions are guidelines for where the conversation could go. They will be adjusted and enriched based on the panellists’ responses.

Establish: Academic background

Current Professional life


Questions:


From you experience, is there a gap between the industry and academy? How does it looks like? Why does it exist?
How the transition happened to you? Was it your first job?
How can educational institutions better prepare students to transition from academic life to the demands of the professional work environment?
What strategies can employers implement to bridge the gap between the skills learned in academia and the practical skills required in the workplace?
Are there successful examples of collaborative programs between universities and companies that aim to narrow the divide between academic studies and real-world job requirements?
What role does practical experience, such as internships or co-op programs, play in minimizing the disparity between academic learning and valuable job skills?
How can educators incorporate more real-world scenarios and case studies into their teaching methods to better connect academic concepts with their practical applications?
What soft skills are often overlooked in academic settings but prove essential for a seamless transition into the professional world, and how can these skills be cultivated?
Are there industries or fields where the gap between academic training and professional requirements is wider? Is UX and UX research one of them? What measures can address this issue?
How can lifelong learning and continuing education initiatives contribute to ensuring that professionals continuously adapt their skills to keep up with the evolving demands of the job market?
What can students do during their academic years to proactively bridge the gap and acquire the skills that will make them more employable and effective in their future careers?
Are there any strategies for effective communication between academia and industry to ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and aligned with the needs of the job market?
In what ways can mentorship and guidance from professionals already established in the workforce assist recent graduates in navigating the transition from academic life to their careers?
What challenges do individuals commonly face when applying theoretical knowledge gained in academia to practical situations in their work life, and how can these challenges be overcome?
How do cultural and technological shifts impact the divide between academic and work life, and what steps can ensure educational institutions stay current?
What are the ethical and societal implications of a mismatch between academic preparation and job requirements, and how can these be addressed on a broader scale?
How can assessment methods in academia and the workplace be aligned to evaluate better an individual's readiness to transition between these two environments?

From the audience: "What are the common gaps you see in entry-level, fresh-out-of-school UX professionals? What supplementary learning would help new UXers transition into their first roles better?"

"Like coding is include in school so why no user experience thing need to include for better future "

"Which type of communities/organizations would you recommend to volunteer in any Product Role?"
"What is the first step to land my first job?"
"What is the most important part in the UX portfolio"
"Can experience really trump education or is it just a myth or something people say to make themselves feel better?"
"Can you recommend internships for people who aren't in university anymore. I have 80% knowledge of UX but no working experience. Where should I start?"

"How become a good ux researcher"

"Are there parts of academia that you wish would carry over to the business world?"

"how to strengthen your research skills for the real world while you're still a student?"

"What suggestions do you have for creating a portfolio for new graduates. "

Other questions


How did your design school prepare you for presenting and communicating your design ideas effectively?
Did your design school offer internships or opportunities for practical work experience in the design industry?
How did your design school approach critique and feedback sessions, and how did they contribute to your growth as a designer?
Were there any extracurricular activities or design-related clubs that enriched your learning experience?
How did your design school address the integration of technology and design, such as interactive design or user interface design?
Were there any specific challenges you faced during your design education, and how did you overcome them?
How has your design school experience influenced your personal design style and philosophy?
Looking back, is there anything you wish your design school had covered or focused on more extensively?
What were some unexpected challenges you encountered when you started working in your field?
How did your real-world experiences differ from what you learned in your formal education or training?
What skills or knowledge did you find most valuable in your job that you didn't anticipate needing?
How did you navigate the transition from a learning environment to a professional work setting?
Were there any specific projects or tasks that provided the most significant learning opportunities early in your career?
How did you handle situations where you didn't know how to approach a problem or task in your job?
What are some practical tips or tricks you picked up while working that weren't covered in your formal education?
How did your interactions with clients or colleagues impact your learning and professional growth?
Did you have to adapt your communication style or learn new ways of presenting ideas to be effective in your job?
How did you stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements after entering the workforce?
Were there any mistakes or setbacks you faced early in your career that taught you valuable lessons?
How did you handle work-life balance and the potential challenges of a demanding job?
Did you have any mentorship or guidance when you first started working, and how did that support your learning process?
Were there any aspects of your job that required you to think creatively or problem-solve in ways you hadn't encountered before?
How did your professional experiences shape your long-term career goals and aspirations?
What advice do you have for someone starting their career in your field to accelerate their learning and growth?
Did you have to work on projects outside your comfort zone, and how did you approach and handle those situations?
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