Degree/Year: Experience Architecture with a minor in Digital Humanities, 2016
Employer name: Auto-Owners Insurance
Position/Title: User Experience Analyst
City/State: Lansing, Michigan

As a user experience analyst, I consult, analyze, research and design corporate sites and systems as well as administrate corporate Google Analytics. I also am leading a push towards making all public facing sites more accessible. The XA program presented me with such a diverse range of projects and situations that now nothing seems intimidating.

“The XA program presented me with such a diverse range of projects and situations that now nothing seems intimidating”

Ian M. Clark

The XA program presented me with such a diverse range of projects and situations that now nothing seems intimidating, only exciting. There’s also a lot of focus on the processes we use to realize a solution. I didn’t recognize until working full time just how important it really is to creating better experiences and thoughtful design. 

My advice to current Spartans is to focus on building relationships. The most critical part of my job is getting people to buy in to our process and realize the value we bring as designers. Learn to listen, like really listen, and ignore your initial opinions or thoughts until you’ve heard everything stakeholders have to say.