My Professional Journey
UX Research Intern
Outdo Education
Mar 2025 - Present
Key Responsibilities:
Led the end-to-end research process for an EdTech MVP.
Designed and validated survey questions to de-risk research assumptions.
Recruited, screened, and scheduled all participant interviews.
Conducted user interviews, usability tests, and competitive analysis.
Synthesized data, created archetypes, and delivered actionable insight reports.
In-Depth Story:
My primary challenge was to validate the team's core assumption: that the real cognitive load for students comes from preparing to study, not just studying itself. A fascinating insight from my interviews was that students themselves didn't recognize this preparation as separate work. Through careful questioning, I helped uncover this "hidden" user pain point. My final report provided the evidence needed to prioritize features for a centralized study hub, directly shaping the product roadmap.
Effects Artist | Project Manager
Freelance
Jul 2024 - Jan 2025
Key Responsibilities:
Established the visual identity and theme for a short film's visual effects.
Managed stakeholder expectations and educated the director on realistic production timelines.
Evolved into the lead project manager, coordinating between artists and the director.
Created schedules, managed assets, and ensured the project stayed on track.
In-Depth Story:
This role quickly evolved from pure artistry to project management. The director had a grand vision but no VFX background, leading to an unrealistic timeline. My first and most critical task was to have an honest conversation to manage expectations and create a viable production schedule. I became the bridge between the creative vision and the practical execution, ensuring the artists had what they needed while keeping the project aligned with the director's goals.
Team Leader, New Student Orientation
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Jun 2020 - Dec 2023
Key Responsibilities:
Managed and trained a team of 30+ orientation leaders.
Developed the brand identity and managed all social media content.
Served as the primary point of contact for new students, gathering continuous feedback.
Handled inventory management for onboarding over 1,500 students annually.
Led groups of students and parents during orientation days, resolving issues on the fly.
In-Depth Story:
My first year in this role was 2020. I was part of the orientation team tasked with remotely onboarding over 1,500 students who felt completely isolated. After hearing direct feedback from dozens of students about the limitations of Zoom, I championed the creation of a Discord server to build a real community. Despite significant pushback due to moderation concerns, I advocated for the students' need for connection. The server was a massive success, and by the time the semester started, students already had a network of friends. It was a powerful lesson in listening to users and fighting for their experience.
Editor-in-Chief, Nucleus Yearbook
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Sept 2021 - Jun 2022
Key Responsibilities:
Owned the entire product lifecycle of a 300+ page publication.
Managed a cross-functional team of 56 members across design, business, content, and photography.
Oversaw a $60,000 budget, including vendor contracts and equipment purchasing.
Conducted user research with students to identify shortcomings in previous yearbook editions.
Pivoted the product strategy based on research insights to focus on personal, relatable stories.
In-Depth Story:
When I took over, I conducted informal research and learned that students found the yearbook impersonal. The core problem was that in trying to represent everyone, it represented no one. I made a strategic decision to pivot. Instead of broad, generic coverage, we focused on smaller, individual stories that any student could empathize with—stories about missing the bus, roommate disagreements, or the weirdness of seeing faces without masks for the first time. We turned the yearbook from a simple collection of events into a cohesive, emotional narrative of our shared year. The best compliment came from our publisher, who said it "felt like comfort."
This role was like running a small business. Beyond producing the yearbook, I transformed the club into a campus-wide service. We initiated "business-to-business" collaborations, providing photography services for other clubs and professional headshots for faculty. This expanded our reach and cemented the yearbook's role as an integral part of the university community, serving students, staff, and other organizations alike.
Projects & Volunteering
Project Lead, "Day 100" Animated Trailer
International Student Project
Nov 2024 - Jul 2025
Key Responsibilities:
Owned the entire project lifecycle from concept to completion.
Recruited, interviewed, and screened a remote, international team of 12 artists.
Managed the team across six different time zones, fostering a positive and accountable culture.
Implemented a sprint-based system to keep the nearly year-long project on track.
Conducted regular check-ins and troubleshooting sessions to support the team.
In-Depth Story:
The goal of this project was to simulate a professional VFX pipeline and learn to work together as a cohesive unit. My biggest challenge and achievement was building a strong, accountable culture with a team of student volunteers spread across the globe. By implementing a sprint system and maintaining open communication, I ensured everyone felt connected and motivated. We not only completed the project on time, but we also built lasting professional relationships, with several of us continuing to volunteer and work together on other initiatives.
Project Lead, "The Wellerman" Animated Short
International Student Project
Mar 2024 - Jun 2024
Key Responsibilities:
Pitched the initial project idea and was subsequently selected as the project lead.
Recruited a concept artist to join the interdisciplinary team of 6.
Managed the team to deliver the animated short within a tight, three-month deadline.
Ensured the final product successfully utilized every team member's unique skills.
In-Depth Story:
The primary challenge of this project was reverse-engineering a concept to fit the team's existing skills. We had a group of artists with diverse talents, and my job was to create a project that would give everyone a chance to contribute meaningfully. I had to learn on the fly how to manage a team and a production timeline. It was a rapid, hands-on lesson in leadership and collaborative problem-solving, and a testament to what a small, focused team can achieve under pressure.
SIGGRAPH Student Volunteer
Volunteering
Summer 2023, 2024, 2025
Key Responsibilities:
Managed attendee flow, answered questions, and ensured a smooth user experience.
Managed a section of the VR Theatre, overseeing equipment and a team of 6 volunteers.
Provided on-the-fly IT support for VR headsets and interactive experiences.
Trained first-time users on how to use VR equipment in a fast-paced environment.
In-Depth Story:
At SIGGRAPH 2024, I was put in charge of a section of the VR Theatre. This was a masterclass in rapid user onboarding. I had to teach attendees, many of whom had never used a VR headset, how to use the equipment in a very short amount of time in a loud, busy conference hall. It required breaking down complex technology into simple, clear instructions and providing immediate support, ensuring hundreds of attendees had a successful and enjoyable experience.