UXPA Student Scholarship Application
Hello 👋
My name is Carolina Diaz, I am currently a student at the University of Miami pursuing an MFA in Interactive Media. Thanks for taking the time to look over my application for the UXPA Student Scholarship! Read on to learn more about me, my interest in the field of User Experience, and what I hope to gain from and contribute to the conference.
Inspiration behind going into UX Design 🌟
What attracted me to the field of User Experience is deeply and rooted in who I am as a person. By nature I am a curious problem solver. I love asking questions and am constantly analyzing pain points in my life and the lives of those around me to think of ways I can make them better.
I was also attracted to this field because of its focus on people and empathy. If I can design something that makes someone’s day a little less stressful or helps them accomplish something easier, faster, or more delightfully — that is what motivates me.
Pursuing a Degree in User Experience 🎓
Prior to attending the University of Miami I was a freelance designer and Marketing Specialist. I had a general understanding of User Experience but at the time the term “UX” seemed a bit broad so I tried to learn more on my own. I took UX online courses and attended local UX design meetups and workshops in Miami and my curiosity only grew from there. The desire to get hands-on experience and deepen my understanding of User Experience is what led me to pursuing a graduate degree in this field.
This program has truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have grown more than I could have ever imagined and am so grateful for my professors and classmates who have inspired and pushed me to be the best designer I can be.
After graduating in May 2019 I will start a full-time role at Visa’s Innovation Center in San Francisco as a Sr. UX Designer.
My Interest in Attending UXPA 🤓
As a young professional in this industry I am eager to learn and make new connections — I believe this conference is the best venue to do that! The UXPA International Conference has such a strong community and reputation that I believe this would be the ideal place for me to meet other professionals and students to exchange ideas and knowledge. I am also submitting to the Student Project Competition and if my project is selected this scholarship would give me the opportunity to attend the conference.
Even though I am a novice UX Designer, I believe I also have a lot to contribute, especially to other students who might be starting their degrees or who are looking for advice on applying for internships or finding full-time work. I am very passionate about professional development and am always happy to offer advice or recommendations to those who are at an earlier stage in their UX career journey.