Even though it turns out I do not have the same number of hours per day as Beyoncé, you bet I make the most of my 24.
From 9 am to 5 pm, I'm a researcher on TikTok's U.S. Data Security Team. It's basically a researcher's dream to conduct research for a company that has such a huge impact on consumers and culture - and a responsibility I don't take lightly. My work spans topics ranging from Trust and Safety, to design decisions about tone of voice and feature naming, to improving the payment experience on TikTok's e-commerce platform.
My prior experience includes:
Conducting CX research on the Global Devices & Services team at Google to improve the Pixel shopping experience online and in-stores
Leading the Travel Insights team at Pollen, a music-centric travel startup, to help build, position, and sell travel experiences through an understanding of consumer motivations, the changing landscape of travel, and commercial viability
Leading research for multiple product areas and business units at Vimeo, including Vimeo Create, Vimeo Experts, Product Marketing, and AI-powered features
Conducting primary research and developing strategic decision-making frameworks for my clients as a consultant at Kelton Global (now Material+)
My background in anthropology informs my human-centric approach to translating user stories and feedback, fly-on-the-wall observation, and behavioral data into actionable recommendations for B2B and B2C products. Over the years, I've worked with some of the world's most beloved brands including Google, TikTok, Vimeo, Mailchimp, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Harley-Davidson, Nike, Revlon, and more.
Between 5 pm to 9 am, you can find me biking my prized Craigslist bike around town (best pandemic purchase ever), at a museum, or working on a research and design-driven program for helping couples build better relationships.
Across all my hours, I've talked to a LOT of strangers. I make sense of their experiences and opinions, and translate that back to my colleagues or clients to build better products and communications. I also take away some important life lessons of my own.