Mirrors: Autumn Gilbert, UX Researcher
The AdaMarie Mirrors reflect back to us the many roads (often winding, never smooth) to success! Real stories of real women to see yourself reflected in. At first, you’ll see Autumn in this mirror, but eventually, we hope you’ll see yourself.
Welcome, Autumn Gilbert!
Getting to Know You:
Field of Work: User Experience Research
Expertise In: Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research
Current Company: Highmark Health
Job Title: UX Researcher
One-liner About What You’re Working On: I'm working on the member app/website for a health insurance company.
Currently geeking out over: Third place theory and community building
STEM Hero: Jane Goodall
Tell us about your professional journey – how did you get where you are now?
I actually didn't know about UX until I got an interview for a UX Researcher position. I loved my major (Anthropology) so much and I was so passionate about it that I knew I had to have a job in that field. So as my senior year of undergrad was ending, I applied to any job opening that mentioned Anthropology. That company hired me and I learned about User Experience research on the job, working at an agency that focused on EdTech. I spent a few years there, advocating for the users and helping guide decisions that improved different products. Since then I have worked at an international education company, a company that specialized in AI-generated marketing content, and now I am working to improve the member experience in a health insurance app.
We’re also curious to know your personal story and upbringing. What has made you “you”?
I am not the most social person, and I was even less social when I was young. A lot of my time was spent reading, especially science fiction and science in general. I had a strong sense of curiosity and I had a lot of time on my hands. I would also be remiss to say that something that makes me "me" is my journey with my mental health. I started having symptoms of depression and anxiety-related migraines as early as middle school, and I wasn't medicated or given consistent, individualized treatment until college. By the time I was in college, I had reached the end of my rope and was willing to try anything to feel better. Luckily, that led to me joining multiple organizations, including a sorority, and finding anthropology by taking a random gen-ed course. Going to college away from home forced me out of my comfort zone and gave me space to focus on myself and who I wanted to be.
I also learned the value of letting go of ego and asking questions or for help. This not only helps with my confidence, but I've been praised many times since then for being willing to ask questions and really dig into the topic at hand.
We know that real life isn’t a smooth and linear journey. What was your initiating moment that led you to your calling - can you tell us about that moment, what helped you move forward, what you learned/discovered?
The main moment that led to my calling, or at least my current calling, in UX Research was getting hired for a position as a researcher while knowing nothing about UX. This company specifically asked me if I had any concerns or hesitations about the opening, and I spoke so fast I didn't recognize that it maybe wasn't the best response: I've never heard of UX.
Very luckily, they were in such a need of a researcher and I had practical research experience through different projects in college, that they told me that they could teach me how to apply what I already know about research to the UX field.
After being hired, I was thrown into the deep end because it was an agency environment and client work lined up much faster than they anticipated. Through the help of my manager at the time, I was able to quickly acclimate, learn about UX research, and thrive in the position. Within six months, I was working entirely independently and I was holding my own in meetings with even the most stubborn clients. My manager helped by giving me space to ask questions and work in the way that felt right to me, rather than giving information piece by piece or making me learn in a certain way.
The main thing I discovered was that I appreciate some level of pressure in a work environment, because it motivates me to try harder. I also learned the value of letting go of ego and asking questions or for help. This not only helps with my confidence, but I've been praised many times since then for being willing to ask questions and really dig into the topic at hand.
You’re a working woman in a performance-driven industry. Where do you find balance?
That is something that I still struggle with sometimes, primarily because my anxiety has led to me being highly critical of myself. I tend to continue to work on a project because it could be the tiniest bit better, rather than letting it go and moving on with my work.
Something that has helped me has been leveraging other people for feedback, as well as setting concrete deadlines or goals for myself. If I reach the deadline that I set myself for a piece of work, or completed a certain task, I evaluate my work. If it is at least "good", meaning there are no critical errors or major problems, I move on to just polishing it, tweaking the wording, etc. This forces me to close the door on major edits and acknowledge that my work is good, great even, but I do need to finish it.
If you were a scientific process or phenomenon, what would you be?
If I were a scientific process or phenomenon, I think I would be some combination of erosion and deposition. This is primarily because I frequently joke that UX research is a "long con" - sometimes you have to slowly wear down the people who make decisions, or the opposite - gradually, over time, insert findings or studies into the conversation. UX research can be seen as very fast, but in many cases the outcomes of it take some time.
In my personal life, these also fit, because I'm always learning and picking up pieces of information or sharing fun facts with others.
Any recommendations for the AdaMarie community?
I would absolutely recommend the podcast Ologies With Allie Ward for anyone who loves science, STEM, or learning about new things. Each episode Allie Ward has on a guest who is an expert in their field, talking about the work they do and answering questions.
