What do you do if you believe internships in UX Research are just about making coffee?

Learn on the job while making “coffee”. Proofread the documentations and help my manager summarize it. Internship is an environment to learn about business rules of engagement.

Seek internships with reputable companies that offer meaningful learning experiences. Clarify expectations with employers upfront and advocate for tasks aligned with your career goals. Use opportunities to gain hands-on experience, build your portfolio, and network with professionals in the field.

If you believe internships in UX research are about making coffee, it's likely due to a misconception! In reality, UX research internships offer hands-on experience in conducting user research, analyzing data, and informing design decisions to create user-centered products. To dispel this myth, seek out information on UX research roles and responsibilities, reach out to professionals in the field for insights, and explore job descriptions and internship postings to understand the actual tasks and expectations. This will help you understand the valuable contributions UX researchers make and the opportunities available in this field.

The way research is conducted matters! Some may completely rely on lean uX But generally companies want an agile ux perspective where we make assumptions and prove on testing! The selection of right methodology according to time and budget constrain is what matters in the end!

Don’t just wait around—ask your supervisor or team if you can jump in on ongoing projects or shadow some of the upcoming studies. Show them how eager you are to learn and contribute. Most teams appreciate someone who takes the initiative. This can lead to more hands-on tasks like helping with data collection, analyzing user feedback, or even running parts of a study. It’s all about showing you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the meat of UX research.

We can seek UX research opportunities online through job boards like Upwork, which currently has 118 remote UX research jobs posted ¹. You can also find UX research opportunities by networking with UX research organizations and online UX communities Additionally, you can look for UX research internships, volunteer your UX research skills for a local small business or non-profit and join a hackathon team

In the pursuit of a career in UX Research, internships serve as invaluable stepping stones. Rather than overlooking them, it's crucial to actively seek out opportunities to dive deep into the field. Even the most routine tasks can hold immense potential for learning and growth. Interns should adopt a proactive mindset, seizing every chance to immerse themselves in the UX Research process. Whether it's shadowing senior researchers, assisting in user testing sessions, or contributing to data analysis, each opportunity presents a chance to expand one's understanding.

Seeking opportunities in UX research is like making coffee - you need to grind out the basics to brew something great! Just as a perfect cup of coffee requires quality beans, the right roast, and precise brewing, UX research opportunities require a solid understanding of user needs, careful analysis, and skillful execution. By "grinding out" the fundamentals - user interviews, surveys, usability testing, and data analysis - you'll uncover rich insights to inform design decisions and create user-centered products. As you refine your skills, you'll be brewing up innovative solutions that delight users and drive business success, just like an expertly crafted cup of coffee!

Networking internally in UX research is like making coffee for your colleagues - it's about brewing connections and sharing insights to energize the team! Just as a freshly brewed pot of coffee brings people together, internal networking in UX research builds relationships and fosters collaboration. By "pouring" over research findings and sharing user insights with cross-functional teams, you'll stimulate innovative solutions and drive user-centered design. By "stirring" up conversations and seeking feedback, you'll refine your research approach and create a culture of user-centricity, ultimately "perking up" the entire organization with a deeper understanding of user needs.

Mastering Internal Networking: A Quick Guide Internal networking within your organization is vital for career growth. Start by initiating conversations with colleagues, attending company events, and utilizing digital platforms. Seek mentorship, offer help, and follow up on interactions. Be authentic, and watch your connections and opportunities flourish.

As you progress through your internship, make it a habit to document all your learnings. Whether it's through a journal or digital notes, detailing your experiences serves as a valuable reference for future endeavors. Specifically in UX Research activities, jot down the objectives, processes, and outcomes. This practice not only reinforces your understanding but also showcases your commitment and analytical skills to prospective employers.

Your creative thinking sets you apart, Don't hesitate to share your ideas or insights with the team. Your fresh perspective can be invaluable, demonstrating your initiative and understanding of UX Research. Even if your ideas aren't implemented, the act of offering solutions contributes to your learning and showcases your proactive approach to professional development.

I love to encourage the interns in my teams to share their voice. They have a new, fresh set of eyes and that is exactly why I love to hire interns for my teams. They bring in their new, fresh minds for our processes. This is invaluable, don’t be afraid to share your thoughts

Sure, interns might grab coffee occasionally. But if that's the primary task assigned, it's a missed opportunity. Valuable UX internships should immerse you in the user research process. Take initiative. Ask to shadow researchers on user interviews or usability testing sessions. Volunteer to analyze research data or help create interview guides. By demonstrating your eagerness to learn about user research, you'll gain valuable experience that goes far beyond coffee runs.