Why did you decide to become a mentor?
I began mentoring during the lockdown through the UXPA International mentoring program. I wanted to connect more deeply with the UX community, and since everyone was remote, our locations didn’t matter. I had numerous Zoom calls with UX friends and mentees from around the world. Following that experience, I also mentored on ADP List. Eventually, I chose to mentor with Mentorcruise because I find their process to be very organized and professional, with a strong commitment from both mentors and mentees. I do a lot of mentoring (https://www.smiling.club/mentoring.html)!
How did you get your career start?
My most important mentor was my professor at Humboldt University Berlin, Hartmut Wandke. He taught Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics (HCI, MMI). Engineering Psychology allowed me to combine my passion for IT with psychology. I wrote my master’s thesis under his guidance, and he encouraged me to submit it for a conference. This became my first international conference and my first published paper in 1998. Later, when I founded my agency, eye square, I maintained regular contact with him. Whenever I was looking for new employees, I would ask him for recommendations. My professor educated and inspired many UX professionals of my generation in Germany, and we all admire him. The knowledge I gained while studying with him laid the foundation for starting my own agency and continues to be helpful today. After serving as the managing director of my agency for 12 years, I left and moved to the UK in 2015. Since then, I have learned a great deal. I have worked on both the client side and the agency side, in B2C and B2B environments. My roles have included Senior and Principal UX Researcher, as well as Head of Insight.
What do mentees usually come to you for?
My mentees typically come from the field of UX, either UX Researcher or UX Designer. Many of them approach me seeking career advice and assistance in finding a new job; many have successfully found better-paying positions. My approach focuses on the positive; I help my mentees recognize their unique strengths and talents. Given the current tough job market, both for those employed and those seeking new opportunities, I see my primary role as empowering my mentees and helping them showcase their best selves. We work on optimizing CVs and portfolios to ensure they shine. Additionally, I conduct mock case study presentations and practice job interviews to increase their confidence. Having experience in various roles myself, including as a hiring manager, and currently being part of the hiring team, I understand the job application process from both the employer's and employee's perspectives. My experience at a large job portal over the past few years has added valuable insights.
What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?
I had a mentee in Canada who was unhappy in her job. Despite being educated and experienced, she was undervalued and unable to reach her full potential. It saddened me to see her in this situation. After mentoring and supporting her for quite some time (sometimes I support my mentees for one or two years) she eventually found a much better-paying position at Microsoft. In her new role, she is able to do what she loves, and she is still happy.
What are you getting out of being a mentor?
I enjoy being connected to the UX community and contributing to it, as well as learning from my UX colleagues. I believe that mentoring is inspiring for both mentors and mentees. By sharing work experiences, best practices, and methods, we often gain new insights and ideas. Additionally, since my mentees come from all over the world, I learn a lot about different cultures. This experience helps me broaden my horizons and adapt to various people and backgrounds. Mentoring enriches both my professional and personal life, providing me with new perspectives. Being a mentor is fulfilling, and I genuinely enjoy supporting others!