The UX Teacher Prep Podcast

Zee Arnold

Zee Arnold, founder of UX Teacher Prep, spills the tea on her incredible journey from a 15-year teaching career to becoming a remote UX Researcher in just 5 months. Join Zee as she shares strategies, tips, and tricks to help you land your first tech role outside of the classroom. Discover how to showcase your transferable skills and escape burnout while finding the balance to unleash your creativity. Since her transition in 2022, Zee has been supporting other teachers in their career pivots by sharing her story, roadblocks, and valuable lessons learned along the way. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from other teachers who have successfully transitioned to creative tech careers such as UX Researcher, UX Writer, UX Designer, and Product Manager. Gain insights into the job search process and learn what to expect beyond the first 90 days in your new role. If you're ready to break into the tech industry and regain time for your health, family, travel, and all the things you deserve in life, hit subscribe and prepare to transform your future. Don't forget to share this podcast with a teacher friend who's ready to make their next move! 

  1. 7월 8일

    S2 Ep 15. Summer Throwback: Top UXR Job Interview Questions

    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. Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message. Support the show *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only! Thanks for the love! Resources: Follow us on Linkedin, Instagram, and YouTube for daily updates and tips. Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet to get started on your transition journey to UX. Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com to see how we can support you. Subscribe to our email list to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here. Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com. Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

    16분
  2. 6월 24일

    S2 Ep 14. Finding New Passion After Teaching: My Mystery Tech Job

    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 Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message. Support the show *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only! Thanks for the love! Resources: Follow us on Linkedin, Instagram, and YouTube for daily updates and tips. Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet to get started on your transition journey to UX. Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com to see how we can support you. Subscribe to our email list to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here. Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com. Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

    6분
  3. 6월 10일

    S2 Ep 13. Standing Out Without Selling Out: UX Job Applications

    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 *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only! Thanks for the love! Resources: Follow us on Linkedin, Instagram, and YouTube for daily updates and tips. Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet to get started on your transition journey to UX. Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com to see how we can support you. Subscribe to our email list to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here. Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com. Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

    7분
  4. 5월 27일

    S2 Ep 12. Confessions of a Remote Worker & Former Teacher

    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 *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only! Thanks for the love! Resources: Follow us on Linkedin, Instagram, and YouTube for daily updates and tips. Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet to get started on your transition journey to UX. Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com to see how we can support you. Subscribe to our email list to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here. Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com. Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

    11분
  5. S2 Ep 10. Navigating Tech as a Black Woman: Sharae Gibbs on Her Path to Design Leadership at Google and She Designs

    4월 1일

    S2 Ep 10. Navigating Tech as a Black Woman: Sharae Gibbs on Her Path to Design Leadership at Google and She Designs

    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. ____ 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: sharae@shedesigns.org Check out her courses at www.shedesigns.org Use my discount code ZEEUXPREP for 15% off the course.  Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message. Support the show *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only! Thanks for the love! Resources: Follow us on Linkedin, Instagram, and YouTube for daily updates and tips. Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet to get started on your transition journey to UX. Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com to see how we can support you. Subscribe to our email list to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here. Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com. Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

    31분
  6. S2 Ep 9. From Classroom to UX: Making Tech Accessible for All with Shaine Frazier

    3월 18일

    S2 Ep 9. From Classroom to UX: Making Tech Accessible for All with Shaine Frazier

    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 Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message. Support the show *Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only! Thanks for the love! Resources: Follow us on Linkedin, Instagram, and YouTube for daily updates and tips. Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet to get started on your transition journey to UX. Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com to see how we can support you. Subscribe to our email list to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events. Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here. Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com. Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!

    24분
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7개의 평가

소개

Zee Arnold, founder of UX Teacher Prep, spills the tea on her incredible journey from a 15-year teaching career to becoming a remote UX Researcher in just 5 months. Join Zee as she shares strategies, tips, and tricks to help you land your first tech role outside of the classroom. Discover how to showcase your transferable skills and escape burnout while finding the balance to unleash your creativity. Since her transition in 2022, Zee has been supporting other teachers in their career pivots by sharing her story, roadblocks, and valuable lessons learned along the way. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from other teachers who have successfully transitioned to creative tech careers such as UX Researcher, UX Writer, UX Designer, and Product Manager. Gain insights into the job search process and learn what to expect beyond the first 90 days in your new role. If you're ready to break into the tech industry and regain time for your health, family, travel, and all the things you deserve in life, hit subscribe and prepare to transform your future. Don't forget to share this podcast with a teacher friend who's ready to make their next move! 

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