UXD Meetup—October 13, 2021: A fantastic event filled with great networking opportunities.
Co-hosted by Rutgers MBS and the New Jersey chapter of the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA/NJ), MBS students had the great opportunity to interact and network with UX professionals at all levels, and hear a pioneer in user experience share decades of wisdom and weigh in on current industry dynamics and challenges.
Event organizers warmly welcomed the audience, inviting participants to introduce themselves and encouraging jobseekers and employers to announce and exchange information (organizers also offered a judgment-free opportunity for participants to test out their 30-second elevator speeches). Then, the evening's featured speaker and UX pioneer Charlie Kretizberg, Ph.D., (pictured below) took the virtual stage.
Kretizberg, a renowned computer scientist and cognitive psychologist who is the senior user experience advisor at Princeton University, gave an enlightening and interactive talk about human-centered design, multidisciplinary teamwork, and learning how to explain user experience to non-UX colleagues by developing a clear, simple definition of UX that makes sense to people outside the field.
Throughout the presentation, Kreitzberg welcomed questions from the audience and, at the conclusion, encouraged audience members to connect with and contact him directly at any time.
Amazing opportunities like this are due in large part to Rupa Misra, Ed.D., assistant professor and director of MBS’s User Experience Design (UXD) concentration, and his ongoing efforts to ensure that students learn about UX through multiple channels, through renowned industry experts, and by becoming part of the UX community through organizations including UXPA/NJ and Central NJ Design Meetup.
“It is wonderful to connect all of these brilliant, inquisitive minds through educational and networking events,” says Misra (pictured at left). “And it is a privilege to be able to host an expert as esteemed, knowledgeable, and engaging as Dr. Kreitzberg.” Moreover, Misra says, “I am thrilled that students looking for opportunities can connect with employers and other UX professionals through MBS’s partnerships with very active, welcoming organizations like UXPA/NJ and Central NJ Design Meetup. I hope that students who are even slightly curious about UX will come to these events as well.”
Events are held regularly each semester and are generally announced through Canvas. And all students who attend will earn one colloquium credit.
For more information, please contact Dr. Misra at rm1337@docs.rutgers.edu.