S2 Ep 1. Navigating the UX World from Big Tech to Startup with Hilda Nalwanga

The UX Teacher Prep Podcast

Unlock the secrets to a successful career transition with Hilda Naluanga, a senior UX researcher at Xsolla, in our latest episode. Discover how Hilda navigated the fascinating shift from a career development coach in South Africa to becoming a key player in the video game industry. You’ll learn how her passion for design thinking and human-centered approaches led her to pursue an innovative path in UX research, and gain valuable advice for educators eager to break into the tech world.
Explore with us the art of relationship building and effective communication within the realm of UX research. Hilda shares eye-opening insights from her tenure at Meta, including the unexpected need to advocate for UX research, even in large organizations. We'll also touch on the challenges and strategies for maintaining a healthy work-life balance while working remotely with a global team, and the distinct dynamics of large companies compared to startups.
Understand the strategic shift from junior to senior UX researcher as Hilda reflects on her career growth. The conversation highlights the importance of marketing one's skills, proactively seeking opportunities, and translating experiences from other fields into the tech industry's language. Whether you're looking to advance in your current role or pivot to a new field, Hilda's journey offers invaluable lessons on navigating career transitions, understanding business goals, and adapting to various work environments.
The following acronyms were used in this interview:

MAANG: an acronym for the five most prominent tech companies; Meta, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Google.

NGO: Non-governmental organization

Connect with Hilda on Linkedin

Email Hilda: [e-mail]

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1. S2 Ep 1. Navigating the UX World from Big Tech to Startup with Hilda Nalwanga (00:00:00)

2. Fan Mail Shout Out! (00:00:47)

3. Hilda's Bio (00:01:08)

4. Transitioning From Education to UX Research (00:02:22)

5. Day to Day Work of a Senior UX Researcher at Xsolla (00:06:48)

6. Evangelizing UX Research at Meta (00:08:35)

7. Creating Work Life Balance (00:11:08)

8. Large vs Small Companies, Startups vs Big Tech (00:13:51)

9. Navigating The Transition to UX Strategically (00:24:22)

10. Junior vs Senior UX Researcher (00:26:26)

11. Advice for Transitioning to UX Research (00:33:05)