Need a mentor/Be a mentor (Was Re: [UXIrregulars] Re: Your input)
Matthew Milan
The mentor/mentee model has been somewhat successful in helping
individuals break into the industry and learn how to become
employable/successful/amazing as an IA/IxD/UX person.
How about this: If you'd like to be a mentor, post your availability
to the list, including background, skill set, and how much time you
might be able to devote per month to mentoring someone. If you'd like
to have a mentor, post your name to the list, including your goals
and/or questions that your currently looking to explore in the UX
field. From there maybe people can identify mentors/mentees that
might be a good match.
Maybe this will work, maybe it won't.
I'll start off.
Matthew Milan
Available as a mentor for 2-3 hours per month.
Currently working as head of the Insight and Planning group at
Critical Mass Toronto
Worked as an IA, IxD, Experience Planner, Interface Developer, UI Designer.
Skills: Information Architecture, Interaction Design, Strategy, User Research
I'm happy to provide mentorship with the caveat that I've only got a
few hours a month to spare. Any interest?
Cheers,
Matthew
On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 5:09 PM, Brad Einarsen <brad.e...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> John,
>
> Wow, an Interlog account, I remember mine fondly...
>
> The first one that comes to mind is a Masters of Information Science
> from the FIS at UofT.
>
> http://fis.utoronto.ca/
>
> Disclaimer: I do not have a degree from the FIS, I went to Rotman
> instead, but I researched them when choosing my masters.
>
> However, there are good UX options in most computer science faculties
> as well as industrial design in engineering schools. I have no direct
> experience there though.
>
> That said, this industry doesn't have an accreditation body to speak
> of. Tech writers have the STC and Marcom writers have the IABC (I come
> from a writing background) but IAs / UXers don't have a single,
> powerful organization yet.
>
> There are junior IA jobs around though, and you can always migrate in
> from related disciplines (programming, business analysis, tech
> writing, you name it) so I guess working your way into the job is the
> normal career path.
>
> I'm interested to see what others know, this is an interest of mine
> too...
>
> --Brad Einarsen
>
>
>
>
> On Jun 16, 2:14 pm, jmarr...@interlog.com wrote:
>> Hello all,
>>
>> I am researching User Experience as a career and want your opinions
>> regarding training options in Toronto for skills/accreditation
>> essential for being employable in UX?
>>
>> All suggestions and dialogue are appreciated - it's not as obvious as
>> it might seem to those working in the field!
>>
>> Thanks and best wishes,
>>
>> John
> >
>
Scott Weisbrod
Scott Weisbrod
Availability to mentor - 1 hour a week. I'm in Calgary, so we'd have to
do it by phone or e-mail (I'm assuming there aren't too many Calgarians
in the group). I also work at Critical Mass and am a planning/strategy
director-ish guy with a background in interaction design, art direction,
account planning, client services and IA.
In the past, I've mentored folks through complex UX projects, getting
started in UX, chatted about "career" direction, worked with students in
interaction design programs and provided advice around methods/process.
I've worked for companies large and small and have run a successful
consulting practice. I should be able to give a relatively
comprehensive perspective to those who are interested.
Great idea Matt!
Scott
-----Original Message-----
From: UXIrre...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:UXIrre...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Matthew Milan
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 5:38 PM
To: UXIrregulars
Subject: [UXIrregulars] Need a mentor/Be a mentor (Was Re:
[UXIrregulars] Re: Your input)
<snip> If you'd like to be a mentor, post your availability to the list,
including background, skill set, and how much time you might be able to
devote per month to mentoring someone. </snip>
The information contained in this message is confidential. It is intended to be read only by the individual or entity named above or their designee. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any distribution of this message, in any form, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender and delete or destroy any copy of this message.
Audrey Carr
Timing: Twice a month in person, and a couple of hours through email.
Background: I'm a recent FIS/KMDI graduate (2007), currently working as
an Interactive Strategist with Organic. Prior to that I was an
Information Architect at CM and another small agency. I'd be happy to
chat with any recent grads looking to get into the field, or just
starting out.
My main area of focus the past few months has been around social media,
so if that's something you're interested in, I'd be willing to share
some of those experiences.
- Audrey
Avi Soudack
Currently (and for most of the last few years): freelance information
architect and usability researcher/consultant.
Happy to help with: information architecture, user research, strategy,
web content management, user-contributed content, instructional
design, and working as an external resource (to agencies, and large
and small organizations).
Availability: by email/IM/Skype for a few hours a month. Starting
September, also in-person in Toronto.
/avi soudack
p.s. I propose that the roles not be exclusive: that someone can be a
mentor and a mentee. OK?
Bryce Johnson
illuminati will take over the world. Oh wait that was tomb raider.
Anyway. Are you coming back?
--
This email is: [ ] bloggable [X] ask first [ ] private
Bryce Johnson
Director of User Experience Design, Navantis Inc.
Chicken wrangler - http://www.thechickentest.com
Dmitry Nekrasovski
Unlike others who have expressed interest so far, I work in an
internal UX group at a software company. So anyone interested in that
career path, or wanting to make a switch to UX from a technical/dev/CS
background, is welcome to drop me a line.
My LinkedIn profile has more on my background:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/dmitrynekrasovski. Note that I am based in
Ottawa, so would be primarily available over the phone/email/IM.
Dmitry
Brad Einarsen
I'm always happy to help new entrants to any of the many professions
I've had (haven't we all).
It does strike me that IA / UX is a "generalist" profession
(specialists are welcome to refute my assertion) which fits my
attention span :-).
Name: Brad Einarsen
Location: Toronto, ON
Specific: 175 Bloor East (Bloor & Church)
Time: 2 hours every 2 weeks, weekday evenings, no weekends (family
time)
Expected commitment from student: willingness to complete projects
between sessions
Expected outcome: portfolio of work to take to job interviews
Background:
http://linkedin.com/in/bradeinarsen/
Started in 1988 with standalone hypertext systems and telnet-based
online conferencing
Worked through online help / CD-ROM / kiosks / Web (early '90s)
Created Multimedia Studio (part of team) at Toronto Lab of IBM Canada
('93)
Have been:
- journalist ('87)
- technical writer ('88-'94)
- multimedia programmer ('94-'97)
- online writer ('94-'07)
- web programmer ('94-'07)
- project manager ('00-07)
- account manager ('00-07)
- product manager ('00-07)
- usability expert
- information architect
My feeling is that we need to advertise the services if we want to
find students (mentees) because they won't know enough to find this
group (I only found it recently).
If we create a skeleton curriculum (based on the 2-week cycle above or
something similar) then we could promote it to FIS, Rotman, Sheridan,
Humber, George Brown, etc. to find mentees.
Otherwise, I think we might find that the project cavitates and dies
from lack of interest.
This sounds like it needs a brainstorming session at a pub ;-)
--Brad (runs on alcohol) Einarsen
>
> - Show quoted text -
sarika
I am sooo excited about this Mentor/Mentee model. I am a ready and
eager mentee . I request one of the mentor's to take me up as their
student. I live in midtown toronto at yonge and davisville and will be
ready to start after July 6.
My background is as follows -
Bachelor's in computer engineering from University of Mumbai, India
Master's in computer science with minor in Bioinformatics from
University of Massachusetts, lowell, USA
Worked on Interactive set-top-box applications from 2003 to 2004
Worked as Java Developer for a product management company from
2005-2007. Lot of Swing UI and thin-client work using JSPs,
Javascript , Html
Worked as 3 month contractor on web-based application services - again
- JSP, HTML, Javascript, some AJAX and oracle db2.
Currently working on a dns/dhcp network management product , mainly
Swing development .
I like being in this area, but I can't see any new challenges coming
my way with my current work. I want to be in HCI and UI space but
would like to get more knowledge and tools to get some expertise in
the area.
I can send across my resume if you would like more details about my
work.
hoping to hear from the mentors soon :)
Thanks
Regards
Sarika
Brad Einarsen
I recommend you review the posts and select a Mentor and contact him/
her directly. Or, you could start a bidding war I suppose :-)
Good luck,
Brad
Matthew Milan
:)
Matthew
Brad Einarsen
FYI,
I've been contacted by a couple of potential Mentee's and am holding a
kick-off session next Thursday at the Klick offices (175 Bloor East).
Here is the initial schedule / agenda:
175 Bloor St. East
North Tower
4th Floor
You will find you're trapped in the hallway outside of the elevator so
either knock on the double doors (not the one big one) or call me on
my cell (probably your best bet):
Cell: (416) 459-9091
Preliminary agenda:
1. Introductions - not CV level, just background and interest
2. Expectations - let's ensure we all get something out of this
3. Readings - I will see if I can find a good intro article
4. Project - I'll assign something compelling for the first session
Max duration: 2 hours.
All are welcome, please RSVP.
--Brad Einarsen
Avi Soudack
I've been contacted by one person... but as I'm not in Toronto now,
have offered to do this remotely.
/a
Avi Soudack
a...@brightroom.ca
home/office 01435 830 919
mobile 07785 514 437
gtalk asou...@gmail.com
Brad Einarsen
Excellent! I think the mentors should stay in contact and share
project information so we can learn what the most interesting topics
and projects are for the Mentees.
In public on this board is probably a good place.
--Brad
Evelyn So
Matthew, thanks for starting this initiative. I am a big believer in
mentorship and am happy to offer my time, brain and energy.
I have been in the industry for 15 years.
My journey started with a B.Sc. from the London School of Economics (LSE),
University of London, U.K. Obtained my Master's degree (Usability,
Ergonomics, HCI) from the University College London (UCL), University of
London, U.K.
I am currently the President of Noesium Consulting Inc., a company that
specializes in "expanding the customer experience". We have a group of
associates - all senior with 10+ years of experience - who deals with
everything digital.
Previously, I held the following positions:
- Associate Director, Bell Canada
- VP, Swingthink (a marketing firm that targets at the women market)
- Product Manager & Head of User Experience, Telewest, U.K. (one of the
large telco in England, equivalent to Rogers in Canada; now merged with
others)
- Senior User Experience Architect, Extend Media
- Usability Consultant, CIBC
I believe that UX or Usability would only flourish within a sound business
model. Therefore, I practise solid UX/IA/Usability tools within a business +
marketing + consumer insights framework.
Throughout the years, I have designed and launched many innovations ahead of
their time, including interactive TV, video on demand, proprietary
one-button iTV remote controls etc. Of course, many websites!
As a mentor, I focus beyond the tools of the trade (reseach, design, etc.) -
I also guide newcomers on the business of UX, such as:
- Business processes
- Project management
- Proposal writing
- Client communication and education
- Team leadership and team motivation
- and many more....that allows one to transfer skills across different
industries and fields
Re: time, I need to converse with individuals to understand their needs and
aspirations first. Under NDA, the mentee can participate in selected
internal/external projects.
Note: my website is being revamped so you won't find info there, yet! I am
taking things a bit slowly these days (mat slow down....not total mat leave)
so it is a good time for me to build a mentorship programme.
Please feel free to contact me anytime at evel...@noesium.com
Thanks
Evelyn
Jerome Ryckborst
At the UPA conference in Baltimore -- the one that ended today -- there was
a session titled "Discount Testing by Amateurs: Threat or Menace?" It was a
panel discussion between Steve Krug, Carol Barnum, and Randolph Bias, and it
wasn't so much about discount testing as it was about the practice of
usability in general. The discussion was interesting, with a number of
people in the middle. If I could grossly simplify the discussion, it would
be: "Those who don't have academic training can perform well, provided they
use other available learning options and provided they assess their work and
strive to improve." The list of other available learning options included
reading articles, books, blogs, attending conferences and such, and ...
getting mentored.
Barnum's message, in particular, was one of moderation and openness. She
pointed out the problem with the "I'm in, close the door!" attitude.
-=- Jerome
John Schrag
It's a good point. (I just got back from Baltimore, but didn't see that session.)
I've also worked with people who had strong academic credentials, but little real-world
experience, some of whom had a lot of trouble putting together an effective test protocol,
or whose facilitation skills were (at first) weak. I'm not trying to knock academic credentials; but
at school how much time do you actually spend doing these things? Pairing up junior and
senior people is really critical to getting the day-to-day skills of the junior people up to a senior
level as quickly as possible. If no one is reflecting back on the quality of your work, how do you
get better? Ditto for design. And many of us are thrust into situations where we are the only UCD/HCI/UX/IA
person, and have no one around to learn from.
(I'm sure that 21 years ago when I started in this business, my protocols were pretty weak, too.
I only did one real usability test in my grad course in University.)
-john schrag
Brett Lutchman
This mentoring idea seems to have struck a chord in this group and has hit the nail right on the head in regards to why a group like UXIrregulars would have been started in the first place- to help people.
Brett Lutchman
Web Slinger.
Neil Lee
work on a small-to-medium-largish scale for about six out of the seven
years I've been working online, but I'm 100% self-taught. I took a 14-
week course back in 1999 that barely covered the basics and have been
reading and making mistakes and learning "in the real world" ever since.
I know there are a LOT of things I don't know about or haven't learned
because of this lack of formal training, but I'm not sure what
educational courses / workshops / mentoring would help grow my skills
the best. On one hand I'd love to take a specific program or course
that covered UX but there doesn't seem to be any programs in Toronto.
I'm not sure if there if anyone else out there is in the same boat as
me, but it would sure be nice to find a way to grow my abilities
without having to work through a 3-4 year full-time program.
Any ideas?
Neil
Audrey Carr
So, here's an idea: Given the existing wealth of knowledge within the community, and the obviously strong interest in career development, why not create our own network of UX continuing education classes and workshops, similar to Victor Lombardi's Smart Experience courses in NYC: http://smartexperience.org/
I've got some free time coming up in the next few weeks to get the ball rolling. I'm thinking a great place to start would be setting up a survey to see what type of skills, courses, or workshops people would be interested in attending, and also start gathering a list of individuals who'd be willing to lead a course or one day workshop. If there's enough interest, we could possibly get something up and running by September.
Time to put my design research skills to use :D
Thoughts?
- Audrey
--
Audrey Carr
Senior Interactive Strategist & Planner, Organic
blogging at: http://www.audreycarr.ca
Audrey Carr
Senior Interactive Strategist & Planner, Organic
blogging at: http://www.audreycarr.ca
Matthew Milan
Let me know how I can help out. I think the community here definitely
has the depth and breadth to make this work.
Matthew
Bryce Johnson
as i was leaving :-)
"Fine! I'm going to get my own lunar lander... with blackjack... and
hookers" - Bender
Actually i think it is a great idea and I know it will be great.
bryce
--
Audrey Carr
months ago! Care to start the Redmond franchise? ;)
vandy...@gmail.com
This is a great idea and I'd like to help in any way I can
.
In the past eight years, I have been directly and indirectly involved
in several Usability projects and like Neil, I am 100 percent self-
taught. I am a web project manager and an online marketer. I have
never worked as a fulltime UX professional, so a formal course or two
would definitely help me.
Neil, I think I'm more or less in the same boat as yours. I'm not
sure if should be a mentor or a mentee at this stage. Perhaps the
courses will help me decide. It may turn out that I can be a mentor
for certain things/topics and mentee for others.
In any case I'd definitely like to help make this a bigger, permanent
initiative in Toronto.
Cheers,
Vandy
Avi Soudack
That sounds great - I see the mentoring effort running in parallel to
any course/training offering - I guess I always thought of the
mentoring as 75% coaching or guidance and 25% skill/knowledge
transfer. There is room for both.
I totally agree that people might be mentors (trainers) in some areas
and mentees (participants) in others, depending on the focus.
Also: want to remind/tell people about a session Bryce organised a few
years where people shared documentation examples. That was a very
successful cooperative model, and I'd guess there were people in the
room at various levels of experience.
/avi
Avi Soudack
a...@brightroom.ca
home/office 01435 830 919
mobile 07785 514 437
gtalk asou...@gmail.com
Bryce Johnson
We should do another one of those deliverable show and tells. I'll
bring all my stuff after July 2nd which is my last day at my current
Job. :-)
Bryce
--
John Schrag
Vandy wrote:
> Neil, I think I'm more or less in the same boat as yours. I'm not
> sure if should be a mentor or a mentee at this stage. Perhaps the
> courses will help me decide. It may turn out that I can be a mentor
> for certain things/topics and mentee for others.
I think that's going to be true for almost everyone. We're all good at something, and we
probably all have something to contribute that others don't know. Even the
very experienced people can probably sharpen their skills against one another.
Audrey: great idea!
-john schrag
Interaction Designer
Autodesk Toronto
Evelyn So
Agree with your definition of mentoring which in my book is way more than
skills/knowledge training. It is about personal growth as well.
Cheers
ES
-----Original Message-----
From: UXIrre...@googlegroups.com [mailto:UXIrre...@googlegroups.com]
Sam Ladner
I've been interested in conducting free classes for design research (my area of expertise). I figgered others probably have other areas, such as, say, a workshop of forms design, or maybe another on designing for seniors, and maybe another....you get the picture.
Who might be interested in an inaugural session on design research (how-to on putting together a really productive user research project), with a mentor/mentee session to follow immediately after?
I could look into space for this. We might be required to pay a fee for the space but everything else would be based on the co-op model.
Each "training" session could be an excuse to meet up with mentors/mentees.
Feedback? Innovations? Critiques?
David Crow
Who might be interested in an inaugural session on design research (how-to on putting together a really productive user research project), with a mentor/mentee session to follow immediately after?
Matthew Nish-Lapidus
in attending any sessions like this.
I also find myself in the situation of wanting to advance my career
and skill, but i can't afford to go back to school full time (or move
to a place where i could go to school for UX/IxD) ...
Anything we can do as a community in Toronto to help each other out
would be greatly appreciated by all.
Matt.
--
Matt Nish-Lapidus
work: ma...@bibliocommons.com / www.bibliocommons.com
--
personal: mat...@gmail.com
Helen Killingbeck
Lindsay Ellerby
Sam - I'm interested in a design research session for sure.
Lindsay
From: Sam Ladner <saml...@gmail.com>
To: UXIrregulars UXIrregulars <UXIrre...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 3:48:38 PM
Subject: [UXIrregulars] Re: Mentoring
This discussion has veered into something I've been having in my head for awhile: skills exchange.
I've been interested in conducting free classes for design research (my area of expertise). I figgered others probably have other areas, such as, say, a workshop of forms design, or maybe another on designing for seniors, and maybe another....you get the picture.
Each "training" session could be an excuse to meet up with mentors/mentees.
Feedback? Innovations? Critiques?
sarika
right now. but I can surely volunteer to help in anyway possible, with
organising such events. Please count me in , after July 6th, since I
am away till then.
- Sarika
> Yahoo! Canada Toolbar: Search from anywhere on the web, and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now athttp://ca.toolbar.yahoo.com.- Hide quoted text -
Jerome Ryckborst
For a second I had a brief moment of panic: “OMG, I didn’t inadvertently kick off an academics-vs-homegrowns discussion, did I?” and then I realised that you’re taking matters firmly in hand by setting up your own sessions. Wow. Very practical. Also, very much in the spirit of Carol Barnum’s words: assess your work and improve your work.
My next thought: don’t tell me I have to move to Toronto to participate in this. ;-o Please give lots of notice of events, so out-of-towners can rearrange their lives. Or offer these sessions in Vancouver. VanUE could promote them. Or perhaps some sort of plug-in for CanUX, in Banff?
Finally, I’m thinking of driving down to Seattle for the next two-week HFU certification session. Whereas at previous UPA conferences people were pointedly neutral about the CUA certification, this time, for the first time, I heard people being positive, with a sort of a “why not?” tone to it. (I’ll tell you one reason why not: $4500 + 2 weeks in a motel = big price tag.) But I think I’m gonna do it.
Did I interpret correctly, Bryce? The hairy videophile rooster is moving to Redmond?
-=- Jerome
From: UXIrre...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:UXIrre...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Audrey Carr
Sent: Sat, 21 June, 2008 12:22 PM
To: UXIrregulars
Subject: [UXIrregulars] Re: Mentoring
I've actually been thinking
about this issue for a while, and quite frankly, aside from a few continuing
education classes at UofT, there's really not much out there in terms of
inexpensive, professional UX career development courses or training.
Bryce Johnson
The HAIRY rooster is moving to redmond or kirkland or maybe bellevue.
On 6/23/08, Jerome Ryckborst <j3r...@gmail.com> wrote:
> For a second I had a brief moment of panic: "OMG, I didn't inadvertently
> kick off an academics-vs-homegrowns discussion, did I?" and then I realised
> that you're taking matters firmly in hand by setting up your own sessions.
> Wow. Very practical. Also, very much in the spirit of Carol Barnum's words:
> assess your work and improve your work.
>
>
>
> My next thought: don't tell me I have to move to Toronto to participate in
> this. ;-o Please give lots of notice of events, so out-of-towners can
> rearrange their lives. Or offer these sessions in Vancouver. VanUE
> <http://www.vanue.com/> could promote them. Or perhaps some sort of plug-in
David Crow
I was talking to Geof Harries in Whitehorse. He'd love to participate. Even in a semi-social phone call to discuss UX.
It would also allow future former UXIrregular Bryce Johnson to dial in from Redmond. ;-)
Dmitry Nekrasovski
the benefit of out of town participants.
An alternative would be, as Jerome also pointed out, to run sessions
like the design research one at CanUX (perhaps after an initial
offering in Toronto). It would be a great value add/extra reason to
go.
Finally, +1 for the UXIrregulars conference call idea! This would be very cool!
Dmitry (from Ottawa)
On 6/23/08, Jerome Ryckborst <j3r...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
Suzanne Long
though I'm local.
And Keith Instone's discussion on the life of a corporate website
tomorrow sounds promising, shame about the short notice.
Apologies for top-posting with abandon,
--
Suzanne Long
s...@well.com
416-357-5857
Bryce Johnson
Evelyn So
Thanks David!
Regular concalls work for me too, even though I am in town.
ES
Bryce Johnson
Possibly,
For the first one, let's use LiveMeeting and my conference calling account. Then we can evaluate.
David Crow
I have a RoundTable if you want to do part of the concall at MSFT Mississauga or MSFT Downtown.
We can use Conference service + LiveMeeting for the first couple to see how they go. I'll send out details.
Laurence Lue
Sam, I'd love to participate in your design research class.
cheers,
Laurence
Brad Einarsen
You turn your back for a couple of days and look what happens...
Sam, please add my voice to the growing cacophony of those who want to
participate in the design researsh presentation / session / meeting /
class.
Klick has WebEx and meeting rooms that they have made available after
hours for this kind of thing. We're at 175 Bloor (Bloor and Church,
very close to Bloor and Yonge).
I'll report back on the first mentoring meeting we're having here.
There seems to have been a bit of pent-up demand for this... :-)
Should we start new threads for different topics? I'm too lazy to do
more than ask...
--Brad
Brad Einarsen
Argh...
"researsh" == "research"
Too much drinking this morning.
--B
vandy...@gmail.com
I guess everyone interested in the idea should meet to take it to the
next level.
How about we plan our meeting for next Thursday around 6.30 p.m.?
I'll look for a venue, if everyone agrees.
I'm also going for the session Brad has organised this Thursday. I'm
sure we'll get a headstart there. And then we can plan future
events,action plan etc at our meet next Thursday.
Cheers,
Vandy
On Jun 22, 8:42 am, Avi Soudack <a...@brightroom.ca> wrote:
> Hi Vandy (et al)
>
> That sounds great - I see the mentoring effort running in parallel to
> any course/training offering - I guess I always thought of the
> mentoring as 75% coaching or guidance and 25% skill/knowledge
> transfer. There is room for both.
>
> I totally agree that people might be mentors (trainers) in some areas
> and mentees (participants) in others, depending on the focus.
>
> Also: want to remind/tell people about a session Bryce organised a few
> years where people shared documentation examples. That was a very
> successful cooperative model, and I'd guess there were people in the
> room at various levels of experience.
>
> /avi
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> Avi Soudack
> a...@brightroom.ca
>
> home/office 01435 830 919
> mobile 07785 514 437
vandy...@gmail.com
before I sent this as I get one abridged email at the end of the day.
David, looking forward to the conf call.
Cheers,
Vandy
On Jun 24, 11:50 am, "vandy.ga...@gmail.com" <vandy.ga...@gmail.com>
wrote:
> > >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > Avi Soudack
> > a...@brightroom.ca
>
> > home/office 01435 830 919
> > mobile 07785 514 437
> > gtalk asoud...@gmail.com- Hide quoted text -
>
vandy...@gmail.com
I'd definitely be interested in the workshop.
As some of you know I'm on the board of Toronto Interacts(TI). TI can
get the space for free as we are a not-for-profit org.
We are sorting out some sponsorship issues (for renting space we need
to be sponsored by a city councillor as our old sponsorship expired
last year) , but we can start re-booking any room at Metro Hall for
free after that's taken care of. Metro Hall has rooms which can hold
anywhere from 30 to a maximum of 150 people in a theatre style format.
In fact, we could use this facility for all the workshops, depending
on the size on the workshop and the availability of rooms.
Please let me know your thoughts.
- Vandy
Brett Lutchman
Sam Ladner
That is terrific about the possibility of space! I had just started looking into it, knowing that Metro Hall was a good start.
I definitely think in-person is the best way to go. It gives us an excuse to get together and see each other face-to-face.
Vandy, can you let us know when you might be able to get this space, ie. when all that admin stuff is sorted out? We can perhaps do a second one (after Brad's tomorrow) with space at Metro Hall.
Brad Einarsen
It's funny, half the things I find on the Internet I feel like I
should have somehow known already...
Here is a Mentoring program given by the IA Institute. Does anyone
have any experience with this group and/or this program? It looks to
be a pretty simple matching system.
http://iainstitute.org/en/members/mentoring/mentoring_program.php
--Brad
On Jun 16, 7:37 pm, "Matthew Milan" <mmi...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Here's a crazy idea.
>
> The mentor/mentee model has been somewhat successful in helping
> individuals break into the industry and learn how to become
> employable/successful/amazing as an IA/IxD/UX person.
>
> How about this: If you'd like to be a mentor, post your availability
> to the list, including background, skill set, and how much time you
> might be able to devote per month to mentoring someone. If you'd like
> to have a mentor, post your name to the list, including your goals
> and/or questions that your currently looking to explore in the UX
> field. From there maybe people can identify mentors/mentees that
> might be a good match.
>
> Maybe this will work, maybe it won't.
>
> I'll start off.
>
> Matthew Milan
> Available as a mentor for 2-3 hours per month.
> Currently working as head of the Insight and Planning group at
> Critical Mass Toronto
> Worked as an IA, IxD, Experience Planner, Interface Developer, UI Designer.
> Skills: Information Architecture, Interaction Design, Strategy, User Research
>
> I'm happy to provide mentorship with the caveat that I've only got a
> few hours a month to spare. Any interest?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Matthew
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 5:09 PM, Brad Einarsen <brad.einar...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > John,
>
> > Wow, an Interlog account, I remember mine fondly...
>
> > The first one that comes to mind is a Masters of Information Science
> > from the FIS at UofT.
>
> >http://fis.utoronto.ca/
>
> > Disclaimer: I do not have a degree from the FIS, I went to Rotman
> > instead, but I researched them when choosing my masters.
>
> > However, there are good UX options in most computer science faculties
> > as well as industrial design in engineering schools. I have no direct
> > experience there though.
>
> > That said, this industry doesn't have an accreditation body to speak
> > of. Tech writers have the STC and Marcom writers have the IABC (I come
> > from a writing background) but IAs / UXers don't have a single,
> > powerful organization yet.
>
> > There are junior IA jobs around though, and you can always migrate in
> > from related disciplines (programming, business analysis, tech
> > writing, you name it) so I guess working your way into the job is the
> > normal career path.
>
> > I'm interested to see what others know, this is an interest of mine
> > too...
>
> > --Brad Einarsen
>
> > On Jun 16, 2:14 pm, jmarr...@interlog.com wrote:
> >> Hello all,
>
> >> I am researching User Experience as a career and want your opinions
> >> regarding training options in Toronto for skills/accreditation
> >> essential for being employable in UX?
>
> >> All suggestions and dialogue are appreciated - it's not as obvious as
> >> it might seem to those working in the field!
>
> >> Thanks and best wishes,
>
> >> John- Hide quoted text -
vandy...@gmail.com
I have sent a request to Councilor Adam Vaugh and his office has
promised me that we should have the sponsorhip by this Monday- June
30th. I'll keep you posted.
We can plan a workshop in July depending on the size and the
availibility of rooms.Generally we have always got a room we wanted if
we've booked three weeks in advance. May be we could start actually
signing up people for the workshop by giving them a tentative date in
the thrid or fourth week of July ( whatever works for you) so that we
have a numbers by the time this is resolved.
Re the meeting - conference call is a great idea too, especially if
more people can make it for the meeting that way.
Cheers,
Vandy
Sam Ladner
That is awesome!
How about at tentative date of this design research mentorship night for July 22 . That's a Tuesday, in keeping with our Tuesday night tradition.
Who's in for July 22 at 6 p.m.? That's just a throw out date. Any big objections, do let me know!!
~~~~~
Sam Ladner, PhD
Sociologist
Toronto
lyndaangela
request to include the subject of user research using remote
techniques at some point. I've been running an internship/mentoring
program I developed for a client over the past 18 months. Learned a
lot about how to ramp people up from entry point as tech writers, how
to instruct and collaborate remotely, etc. etc.
Lynda Chiotti
Chiotti Inc.
Owen Sound, ON
Helen Killingbeck
glenner
Please add me to the list for the 22nd as well.
Glenn Teneycke
On Jul 4, 12:40 pm, "Helen Killingbeck" <4thmed...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Sam, Vandy:
>
> Please count me in for the design research mentorship night on July 22 at 6
> p.m. at Metro Hall.
> Thanks Vandy for arranging the location via Toronto Interacts.
>
> Helen Killingbeck
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Hey Vandy,
> > That is awesome!
>
> > How about at tentative date of this design research mentorship night for
> > July 22 . That's a Tuesday, in keeping with our Tuesday night tradition.
>
> > Who's in for July 22 at 6 p.m.? That's just a throw out date. Any big
> > objections, do let me know!!
>
Jeff Kraemer
Please count me in for the 22nd too.
Jeff Kraemer
Dana Bell
Mario Bourque
inquiries in the last 6 months, one of which is in Canada. The good
folks at the IAI have told me that there is not a lot of interest from
Canada. I have no idea why, because this thread clearly does not
support the previous statement.
Mario
Ian Hooper
Do we have any more information on the plans?
-Ian
Jason A. Spiro
off session" thread, and the email about the IxDA Toronto Speed
Mentoring matching-up session last fall. I stumbled across the
threads today when searching through my Gmail archives for something
else.
I, too, am interested in finding a mentor. I'm curious: How many
people showed up at Brad's session and at the IxDA session? How did
the sessions go? What happened afterwards -- for example, did the
mentors and mentees continue their relationships later on? Did they
all continue their relationships at regular formal meetings together,
like at Brad's company's office, or did they continue them privately?
And is anyone willing to again hold another session like Brad held
this winter or spring?
--
Jason Spiro: software/web developer, packager, trainer, IT consultant.
I support Linux, UNIX, Windows, and more. Contact me to discuss your needs.
+1 (416) 992-3445 / www.jspiro.com
LAST YEAR, on Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 9:41 AM, Brad Einarsen
<brad.e...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> FYI,
>
> I've been contacted by a couple of potential Mentee's and am holding a
> kick-off session next Thursday at the Klick offices (175 Bloor East).
>
> Here is the initial schedule / agenda:
>
> 175 Bloor St. East
> North Tower
> 4th Floor
>
> You will find you're trapped in the hallway outside of the elevator so
> either knock on the double doors (not the one big one) or call me on
> my cell (probably your best bet):
>
> Cell: (416) 459-9091
>
> Preliminary agenda:
>
> 1. Introductions - not CV level, just background and interest
> 2. Expectations - let's ensure we all get something out of this
> 3. Readings - I will see if I can find a good intro article
> 4. Project - I'll assign something compelling for the first session
>
> Max duration: 2 hours.
>
> All are welcome, please RSVP.
>
> On Jun 20, 10:31 am, "Matthew Milan" <mmi...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Any more interested mentors or mentees? Speak up!
>>
>> :)
>>
>> On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 10:28 AM, Brad Einarsen <brad.einar...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> > I recommend you review the posts and select a Mentor and contact him/
>> > her directly. Or, you could start a bidding war I suppose :-)
>> >
>> > On Jun 20, 10:17 am, sarika <ethnic.cos...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> Hi Everyone,
>> >>
>> >> I am sooo excited about this Mentor/Mentee model. I am a ready and
>> >> eager mentee . I request one of the mentor's to take me up as their
>> >> student. I live in midtown toronto at yonge and davisville and will be
>> >> ready to start after July 6.
>> >>
>> >> My background is as follows -
>> >> Bachelor's in computer engineering from University of Mumbai, India
>> >>
>> >> Master's in computer science with minor in Bioinformatics from
>> >> University of Massachusetts, lowell, USA
>> >>
>> >> Worked on Interactive set-top-box applications from 2003 to 2004
>> >>
>> >> Worked as Java Developer for a product management company from
>> >> 2005-2007. Lot of Swing UI and thin-client work using JSPs,
>> >> Javascript , Html
>> >>
>> >> Worked as 3 month contractor on web-based application services - again
>> >> - JSP, HTML, Javascript, some AJAX and oracle db2.
>> >>
>> >> Currently working on a dns/dhcp network management product , mainly
>> >> Swing development .
>> >>
>> >> I like being in this area, but I can't see any new challenges coming
>> >> my way with my current work. I want to be in HCI and UI space but
>> >> would like to get more knowledge and tools to get some expertise in
>> >> the area.
>> >>
>> >> I can send across my resume if you would like more details about my
>> >> work.
>> >>
>> >> hoping to hear from the mentors soon :)
Kaleem
I suggest you come out to the UX Irregulars meetup tomorrow night:
http://guestlistapp.com/events/12378
Peer mentorship is one of the main reasons the group started and it's
always easier (and more fun) to discuss this in person over a beverage
than online.
On a personal note, I maintain mentorship relationships with several
local and remote individuals on an ongoing basis, as many on this list
do. I'm sure someone in this group is exactly who you're looking for,
and vice versa.
I hope to see you tomorrow night!
-K
Brad Einarsen
Yeah, attend the events and you'll probably hook up with someone
compatible.
The events I run are structured around a curriculum that is (finally)
finishing up the reporting of a usability test with 5 subjects. The
group is presenting the results to the site owners just as soon as
they hav them compiled. Then we're into some design topics.
I can add you to that mailing list if you like.
________________________
Brad Einarsen
Senior Digital Strategist
(416) 459-9091
This email is short as it was sent from an iPhone.
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the
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> To post to this group, send email to UXIrre...@googlegroups.com
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lists
Thank you.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Julie Bot
Office Manager, Usability Matters Inc.
416.598.7770 x18
http://www.usabilitymatters.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-----Original Message-----
From: uxirre...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:uxirre...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Brad Einarsen
Posted At: January 11, 2010 10:39 PM
Posted To: UM Shared Mailing List Emails
Conversation: Need a mentor/Be a mentor (Was Re: [UXIrregulars] Re: Your
input)
Subject: Re: Need a mentor/Be a mentor (Was Re: [UXIrregulars] Re: Your
input)
Yeah, attend the events and you'll probably hook up with someone
compatible.
The events I run are structured around a curriculum that is (finally)
finishing up the reporting of a usability test with 5 subjects. The
group is presenting the results to the site owners just as soon as
they hav them compiled. Then we're into some design topics.
I can add you to that mailing list if you like.
________________________
Brad Einarsen
Senior Digital Strategist
(416) 459-9091
This email is short as it was sent from an iPhone.
On Jan 11, 2010, at 3:00 PM, Kaleem <kale...@gmail.com> wrote: