Ep 7. From Barely Surviving as a Teacher to Thriving as a User Researcher with Sharon Ng

Have you ever felt trapped in a career that drains your spirit, wondering if the grass is truly greener on the other side? Today, I bring you a brave story of transformation that might just tip the scales for you. In this episode, I sit down with Sharon Ng, a former high school science teacher who made the leap to a User Researcher after some serious challenges with her mental and physical health brought on by her work environment. Sharon unfolds her narrative of long hours and personal safety challenges in the classroom, painting a vivid picture of the life she left behind. She details the sense of liberation and work-life harmony she's discovered in her current role—a stark contrast to her past hardships.Sharon's story isn't just about change; it's about reinvention and the application of her unique skill set to her new domain. We discuss how her background as a junior research scientist and a science teacher has equipped her with a potent combination of research acumen and empathy, which she now applies to her UX research projects. Join us as we dissect her approach to blending qualitative and quantitative methods, and gain insights into how skills honed in one career can bring unexpected value to another. If you're an educator contemplating a switch to the tech field, or simply curious about the world of UX, Sharon's story will surely inspire you.Note:  This story is deep and very personal. I want to warn you that my guest discusses violence in schools, mental health, and topics that may be disturbing, upsetting, and sensitive to some listeners. Please skip that chapter if it might be triggering to you. (Timestamp 6:33-7:52) Guest Bio: Sharon Ng is a Mixed Methods User Researcher from New York City with demonstrated research, teaching, and leadership experience. She has worked in a neuroscience lab at New York University, where she gained invaluable skills in research methodologies and brought them to the students in her classroom. Bridging the skills she’s built as a former research scientist at NYU and the deep empathy skills she has developed as an educator has shaped her into the User Researcher she is today. Currently, she is a Mixed Methods User Researcher & Analyst for the internal digital products at Johnson & Johnson.You can reach out to Sharon on LinText Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message.Support the show*Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only!  Thanks for the love!Resources:Follow us on Linkedin, Instagram, and YouTube for daily updates and tips. Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet to get started on your transition journey to UX.Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com to see how we can support you.Subscribe to our email list to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events.Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here. Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at [email protected]’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!