Allison Green | User Experience Designer

Where do you currently work and what is your job title?

I am a User Experience Designer for the Chancellor’s Office at the California State University system.

How would you describe what you do every day in your role?

My role is brand new to my department so I have a lot of opportunities to shape it to my skill set. Specifically I’m focusing on innovative projects for students, staff, and faculty. I’m redesigning our own website to better reflect our services, co-developing a professional development course on innovative thinking, and assisting other IT departments in acting as a UX consultant as we launch new technical programs.

What motivated you to break into tech?

My roommate and I one night asked each other “if you could go back and pursue a completely different career, would you?” I said that digital design always interested me and it seemed like a fun career working with concepts, ideas, and visuals. After that conversation, I realized that I didn’t have to live in hypotheticals – I had the power and ability to pivot my career!

What did you do before your current job?

I worked in Student Affairs at a university. My previous job involved event planning and leadership development while working with college students.

What was your level of tech experience before enrolling at Skillcrush?

Very, very little. I worked with Canva and Squarespace for my more simple design needs but had no skill set with more sophisticated programs.

What advice do you have for other Skillcrushers?

Leverage the skills that you already have from your previous job and experiences. You’re doing everything right in learn the technical skills with Skillcrush, but you’re even more valuable of a candidate with the other soft skills and character traits that make you YOU! Whether it’s public speaking, budgeting, or another skill, talk about it in interviews. I think there’s value in presenting yourself as well-rounded especially if you’re coming from another industry other than tech.