Week 5
Week 3
Week 3 - Imposter Syndrome
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Week 5 - Design Activities
Category: Prototyping Phase
Blog post 9: Feeling Lost
What?
It’s week 9 already, and I am starting to feel more stressed as the deadlines for all my assignments are nearing. I’ve been working on the AR interface in Zapworks and finalising my prototypes, but lately, I’ve hit a slump. I am starting to doubt whether my project will truly be useful for students experiencing job searching anxiety. This uncertainty comes from my own struggles as I have not been able to secure a graduate job as the semester comes to an end, which is making me question the effectiveness of my project.
At this moment I am feeling frustrated, doubtful and anxious that I will not be able to secure a job soon as well as the deadlines for my projects. I feel like I'm in a bit of a paradox. Designing an app to help students with job search anxiety while experiencing the same challenge myself. I feel stuck, and it's slowing my progress on finalising my prototypes. It has also caused me to reflect on whether I am truly solving the right problem for students or if I am projecting my own concerns onto the project. Dealing with my own doubts and not having found a job yet is making it harder to feel confident in my own project. However, the situation has also helped me go into deeper into my reflection
So what?
This situation has taught me that even though I am feeling uncertain and stressed about my project, I can still rely on the user research I have conducted. The user research reassures me that the project isn’t just based on my personal experience, but also on the needs and feedback of other students. Reflecting through these weekly blog posts has helped me better understand my own feelings and challenges, which in turn strengthen my design work.
This week has gone past so fast and it was already Friday before I knew it. This week I have been finalising my concepts and my prototypes.
Yuka Ochiai | Friday 20th September | 3 min Read
Note. A 3D image of white silhouette of a person
Figure 1. Silhouette of a person
While I am designing this project to help others, I realise that while I am creating this project I am also helping myself. I realised that this process has allowed me to work through my own anxieties about job searching. Using techniques such as the 4-7-8 breathing technique has helped me manage my mental health when I am feeling anxious (Gotter, 2018). I came across this breathing technique when I was doing research on mental health for my app. This experience reinforces that the features of my app could genuinely help students in similar situations. After I graduate I am wanting to go into a UX position which this project is also helping with as I get to design an app and make it as user friendly as possible.
Looking back, I could have given myself credit for the work I have done instead of self doubting and being upset at myself for feeling this way. My new understanding of the citation is that it’s okay to feel uncertain, but those feelings should not undermine the work I have put in. I have also realised that I tend to seek validation from external sources like securing a job, but the value of this project goes beyond that.
Moving on
Next week I want to focus on finishing up all of my prototypes on figma and Zapworks as well as adding more information on my Miro board. I also plan to start my on exegesis process documentation aspect.
Now what?
Moving forward, I need to set up a more structured way to manage stress and self doubt. One specific action I’ll take is having regular breaks and using stress relief techniques such as the 4-7-8 breathing method. Another technique I will be continuing is writing these blogs to reflect on myself for each week as especially this week whilst writing, it has helped me self reflect in a way that is unique by writing how I felt. I will also remember that is it important to give myself credit for what I have achieved (Calder, 2022).
Another key action is to continue applying what I am learning from this project to my own personal job search. I will dedicate time each week to review and improve my interview skills, incorporating the same methods and features I am designing for my app such as the breathing techniques and the practical interview practice sessions.
I also have to remind myself that the current job market is tough, and I shouldn't be too hard on myself for not passing interviews. This situation isn't entirely within my control and it is important to acknowledge that. However, it is not good to use that as an excuse that I am not securing a graduate position. While it is difficult seeing people around me secure job offers, I need to focus on my own journey and trust that my efforts will pay off in time. I will regularly remind myself that everyone’s path is different and just because I haven't found a job yet does not mean I wont. I'll continue building my skills and I'll use my project to prepare myself for future opportunities.
References
Calder, L. (2022, October 10). Give Yourself Credit: How to Recognize What You Do Right. Sage Counseling and Wellness. https://sagecounselingtherapyandwellness.com/give-yourself-credit-how-to-recognize-what-you-do-right/
Gotter, A. (2018, April 20). What Is the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique? Healthline; Healthline Media. https://www.healthline.com/health/4-7-8-breathing
Note: Screen capture of Miro of the survey answers
Figure 3. Survey answers
Figure 2. AR project on Zapworks
Note: A screen capture of the AR orb interview process on Zapworks
