Hello again.
Before getting into the field of UX design, I spent 5 years as an educator, working in small charter schools located in at-risk areas throughout the greater DC/Baltimore area.
Charters schools tend to resemble tech start-ups in that they often pride themselves on being innovative disruptors focused on changing education for the better. Like startups, they also demand a staff of multi-disciplined, flexible employees that can collaborate with cross-functional teams. Throughout my time working in the charter school system, I found myself wearing many hats including Social Studies Teacher, Reading Interventionalist, Technologist, Instructional Designer, Researcher, Data Analyst, etc.
My teaching experience taught me how to be "A Master Generalist". Years later, I now pride myself on my ability to walk into any organization, identify their needs and leverage my diverse skill set while also developing new skills in order to maximize added value.
In 2017, my Father purchased a failing mid-sized insurance agency located in Dundalk, MD. Recognizing my ability to solve complex problems, he recruited me as a business strategist to help re-launch the agency. Although I had no formal education in Business, I was enthusiastic about the challenge, and the prospect of supporting my family at a critical time.
While working for my father, I stumbled across the design thinking methodology and began applying innovative strategies to achieve our business outcomes. Eager to learn more, I enrolled in MICA’s UX Design program where I earned my master’s in professional studies (2019).
Throughout the past year, I have further developed my skills as a UX Strategist, Product Designer, and UX Researcher working for multiple enterprise organizations including Fannie Mae and AT&T. At FNMA, I collaborated with cross-functional teams including UI designers, content specialists, developers, and project managers to build innovative solutions for both our internal and external customers. At AT&T, I helped the company integrate multiple legacy systems into a new streamlined desktop/mobile solution, saving the company hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process.
I am currently looking for new opportunities to continue developing as a practitioner. If you’d like to reach me please message, eanderson03@mica.edu :)