Hey, I’m KJ (they/them)

I could go on about my interests and hobbies here but thought I’d share three things I’ve come to learn about myself that are pretty telling instead:

-I frequently get goosebumps hearing people sing

-Talking about what I’m tasting with other people is one of my favorite things (food, coffee, beer, wine, all of it)

-I often get lost in my own head thinking about how I would re-arrange the furniture in spaces I walk into

University and Early Career

My journey to UX design is a bit unconventional, and I believe that's my strength. My foundation in Environmental Science & Policy at CSU Long Beach instilled in me a deep commitment to social justice and a passion for understanding complex systems – skills that translate directly to user-centered design.

My career began in the service industry, where I honed my ability to empathize with diverse individuals and solve problems under pressure. As a barista, I learned invaluable lessons in patience, communication, and understanding user needs – essential qualities for any UX designer. This experience taught me to truly listen and understand the motivations behind people’s actions.

Transitioning to roles in customer service, account management, and inside sales further developed my skills in communication, advocacy, and collaborative problem-solving. I learned to navigate deadlines, work effectively in teams, and advocate for user needs within a business context.

My first UX role at Penske Transportation Services challenged me to design intuitive dashboards for fleet managers with varying technical skills. This experience solidified my passion for simplifying complex data and creating user-friendly solutions. At Comcast, I contributed to the Xfinity.com join experience, impacting millions of users by designing seamless workflows for complex product selections. This experience taught me how to tackle large-scale projects and create designs that scale.

My unique background has equipped me with a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of user needs. I’m passionate about creating impactful, user-centered experiences and I’m confident that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

Thanks so much for reading :)

Other Things I love

Okay, so half of these things only happened once, but they were still awesome. I seem cool right?