Ep 7. From Barely Surviving as a Teacher to Thriving as a User Researcher with Sharon Ng

The UX Teacher Prep Podcast

Have you ever felt trapped in a career that drains your spirit, wondering if the grass is truly greener on the other side? Today, I bring you a brave story of transformation that might just tip the scales for you. In this episode, I sit down with Sharon Ng, a former high school science teacher who made the leap to a User Researcher after some serious challenges with her mental and physical health brought on by her work environment. Sharon unfolds her narrative of long hours and personal safety challenges in the classroom, painting a vivid picture of the life she left behind. She details the sense of liberation and work-life harmony she's discovered in her current role—a stark contrast to her past hardships.
Sharon's story isn't just about change; it's about reinvention and the application of her unique skill set to her new domain. We discuss how her background as a junior research scientist and a science teacher has equipped her with a potent combination of research acumen and empathy, which she now applies to her UX research projects. Join us as we dissect her approach to blending qualitative and quantitative methods, and gain insights into how skills honed in one career can bring unexpected value to another. If you're an educator contemplating a switch to the tech field, or simply curious about the world of UX, Sharon's story will surely inspire you.
Note: This story is deep and very personal. I want to warn you that my guest discusses violence in schools, mental health, and topics that may be disturbing, upsetting, and sensitive to some listeners. Please skip that chapter if it might be triggering to you. (Timestamp 6:33-7:52)
Guest Bio: Sharon Ng is a Mixed Methods User Researcher from New York City with demonstrated research, teaching, and leadership experience. She has worked in a neuroscience lab at New York University, where she gained invaluable skills in research methodologies and brought them to the students in her classroom. Bridging the skills she’s built as a former research scientist at NYU and the deep empathy skills she has developed as an educator has shaped her into the User Researcher she is today. Currently, she is a Mixed Methods User Researcher & Analyst for the internal digital products at Johnson & Johnson.

You can reach out to Sharon on Linkedin.

📱Text Me: I love to chat with listeners! Send me a text message with your questions or comments.

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Chapters

1. Ep 7. From Barely Surviving as a Teacher to Thriving as a User Researcher with Sharon Ng (00:00:00)

2. Trigger Warning (00:00:38)

3. Introduction (00:01:03)

4. Violence & Mental Health Issues (00:06:33)

5. Confidence Boost & Impostor Syndrome (00:07:52)

6. Upskilling Through Bootcamps (00:08:53)

7. Volunteer Work and Side Projects (00:09:59)

8. Technical Transferrable Skills- User Researcher & Analyst (00:14:56)

9. Empathy (00:22:36)

10. Project Management Skills (00:23:28)