The User Experience (UX) research area of tech is one of the most important and blossoming areas in tech today. UX research aims to increase our understanding of how people interact with technology products and services so that we can design better user experiences. This career fascinates me because it combines two of my favorite areas of knowledge; psychological research and technology. I was drawn to psychology because of my desire to help a diverse set of individuals, and I found myself increasingly interested in how to use technology to make this happen. UX research, I found, can aid in creating a technological world that is more inclusive for users of various backgrounds and capabilities. However, the more I researched this area of study, the more problems I found with inclusivity in the current tech industry. One area that I find the most in need of support is the creation of disability-friendly technology. In a world where technology is rapidly becoming more prevalent in everyday life, it is more important than ever to make sure that technology products and services are designed with everyone in mind. Unfortunately, there still exists a noticeable lack of disability-friendly tech services. This leaves many people out in the cold when it comes to using new technologies. I hope to use UX research to help create tech that is more inclusive of people with disabilities. By conducting user research and interviews with disabled users, I will be able to learn more about the challenges disabled individuals face when using technology and design products that are easier for them to use. In addition, by helping to make products more accessible, I will also aid in making them more usable for everyone – not just those with disabilities. There is a growing demand for disability-friendly tech, as more and more people with disabilities are finding ways to use technology to improve their lives. UX research will play an important role in the future of disability-friendly tech, as it can help design products and services that meet the needs of users with disabilities. I hope my future education and career in UX research will help disabled individuals feel more comfortable in their technological journey. I believe that by studying UX research, I can learn how to design technologies that are inclusive and accessible for everyone. In doing so, I will also be able to help close the digital divide and make sure that everyone has access to the same opportunities in our increasingly digital world.

Mental health awareness has become an increasing trend on many social media platforms. While Instagram infographics and self-care lists may seem like a quick way to help those who struggle with their mental health, they do not address the specific individuals in need. A more practical solution, in my opinion, is a personal, direct, and in-person action. Specifically, creating clubs and/or movements that encourage peer support and friendship. Oftentimes, mental health issues are linked to feelings of isolation and inferiority, which is especially rampant in this quarantined, digital age. Creating clubs and movements that foster connections between struggling individuals would allow for a greater feeling of belonging. One example of this method is demonstrated by four Boca Raton Community High students: Allie Sealy, Denis Estimon, and two of their friends. Together, these four high schoolers created a "We Dine Together" club, which encouraged group lunches for isolated students. This project resulted in a network of students who finally had a sense of belonging (McGlade 2019). I propose that we expand this practice to high schools, college campuses, and communities across the country, and encourage group spaces for those who feel like they do not fit in. Mental health matters, and fostering supportive communities is the first step in allowing people to feel less alone in their struggles. We should follow the example set by the Boca Raton Community High students by creating these personal spaces of community and solidarity. Repeating mantras on social media and sending vague words of support is not enough; direct action is needed to let people know their life is important. McGlade, C. (2019, April 6). Eating alone at school: How Four students began a mission to end isolation. Sun Sentinel. Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-eating-alone-at-school-20170205-story.html

In small-town Ferndale, Washington, there are two options for a young lesbian: being out and isolated or in the closet and unhappy. I chose the latter. With no sense of community, I barely understood why I should have felt pride in my identity. No one had taught me that lesbianism was normal and beautiful. In my immediate circle, gayness was an abnormality so I understood it as such. However, as I grew out of my social bubble and entered college, I began to see the importance of community. Suddenly, I had friends who shared my identity and encouraged my pride. These friends showed me media filled with representation. I finally saw myself for the first time and realized that I too could help those who felt alone in their identity. All I had to do was to live as true as possible and engage in meaningful work. I am quite passionate about mental health issues, especially regarding the needs of LGBTQ+ children. By being out and proud, I know that I contribute to normalizing LGBTQ+ identity for the children around me. However, I recognize that I can do more in building a brighter community for future LGBTQ+ youth. As a psychology major, my final goal is to find employment in graduate-level teaching and counselor training. In addition to teaching the next generation of aspiring counselors, I hope to engage in meaningful LGBTQ-related research. Specifically, I want to focus on how representation in media impacts LGBTQ+ children. Media representation, while better, is still lacking for LGBTQ+ youth. My goal is to show statistically significant evidence supporting the importance of introducing representative media to children of the community. I hypothesize that diverse media representation will positively affect the mental health of LGBTQ+ children. I hope my future will help others find the support I lacked as a young lesbian. Community is such an important aspect of identity for LGBTQ+ youth. Living as a proud lesbian will help encourage the young gay youth in my circle to accept themselves, and supporting other forms of LGBTQ+ representation through research can help those not in my current range. While my end goal might be a few years away, furthering my education brings me one step closer to helping LGBTQ+ youth in need.