uxmelina

As you may know, I recently graduated and started a great new job as a UX Engineer out in Silicon Valley. My summer was filled with moving myself across the country (again), getting settled in a new city (again), and getting everything I need set up. The fall is here, and although it’s nothing like the cooler fall weather I’m used to back in Waterloo, it’s nice. When I finished school I wrote a bunch of goals about all aspects of my life: social, health, money, and continual learning. Below are my education/learning goals. I will update you on the progress!

Education/Learning (career-related)

- Read more blogs: When I was in college, I think I spent so much time reading about design/research in textbooks, I found myself just reading entertaining/tech blogs. I need to cut back on those and introduce some design related blogs. I’m taking suggestions on this one, what blogs do you enjoy?

- Get more involved in the UX community in Silicon Valley: I’ve attended some BayCHI events and those are usually pretty good ways to meet new people and learn new things. Does anyone have any suggestions on other events or organizations locally?

- Explore continuing education options at Standford: I don’t plan on doing any formal education in the next year but knowing what is available will be handy when I have the time to do it!

- Blog more: I’m going to start with setting the goals at 2 posts a month. It’s not huge, and hopefully I can increase it to 2 per week. Blogging will help me find new and interesting topics to learn and write about, and also improve my writing skills (never hurts).

Education/Learning (non-career)

- Learn to Surf.

- Learn drive a motorcycle. I’m planning to take a course in the spring.

- Learn more about money management tools and investing options. I’m loving mint.com.

All of those things are interesting to me and help with money, health and social goals. I tried surfing already. It is much harder then I initially thought, I will keep at it!