Full Episode Page (show notes, links, transcript): #35: Julie Huynh – The Path to UX Designer, Mastering Your Craft, and Upgrading Our Life to 2.0
Introduction
In this episode of One Thousand Gurus, host J.R. welcomes back Julie Huynh, a previously featured guest from episode 20. Julie shares her life’s evolution since her last appearance, diving into her past experiences and how they shaped her current standing as a User Experience (UX) Designer. Their conversation spans Julie’s growth, aspirations, and pursuits.
Dancing to the Beat of Friendship and Growth
Julie and J.R. reminisce about their shared history, dancing in a K-pop team at ECI. Beyond dancing, they forged a friendship, sharing regular dinners and long conversations. This foundation paved the way to delve deeper into Julie’s journey, which started in her hometown of Chicago. Influenced by iconic figures like Michael Jordan and Michelle Kwan, these idols inspired her level of excellence.
The Influences of Community and Heritage
As Julie outlines her educational background, she elaborates on her dual majors at UCI: Public Health and Asian American Studies. Her choice was influenced by a desire to balance the rigorous logical nature of science with creative, more cultural studies. Growing up within the Vietnamese community, she was driven to deepen her understanding of diverse Asian histories.
The Realization and Shift from Dentistry to Designing
Julie’s journey took a sharp turn from pursuing dentistry to a career in UX design. Encouraged by a relative to explore alternatives, she embraced coding and graphic design, eventually landing a role in a creative marketing firm. This pivot was driven by a realization that passion can’t be faked, especially when juxtaposed against tasks she felt uninspired by, such as dentistry.
Defining UX: More Than Just a Career
Julie explains the nuances of UX design, highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding user needs. Whether it’s designing a website or ensuring airport navigation is intuitive, Julie’s work revolves around improving user experiences. The importance of research and strategic planning ensures her work not only meets user expectations but is also viable for business growth.
Baking and Life’s Sweet Lessons
Baking is more than a hobby for Julie; it’s a metaphor for life. Her aunt’s early influence taught her precision and patience, skills that helped in both baking and her professional life. With practice, Julie has found empowerment in overcoming baking mishaps, which resonates with her philosophy on personal and professional problem-solving.
The Path of Self-Development and Open-Mindedness
Throughout her life, Julie has focused on personal growth, upgrading herself from “Julie 1.0 to 2.0.” Embracing an “I know nothing” mentality, Julie positions herself as a lifelong learner, avoiding complacency and nurturing open-mindedness to fuel her growth and aspirations.
Balancing Passion and Practicality in Pursuit of Fulfillment
Julie’s story, filled with detours and self-discovery, emphasizes the importance of balancing passions with practical needs. Her journey from dentistry to user experience design showcases how following true interest, even if it diverges from tradition, brings fulfillment. Julie’s commitment to growth, coupled with her empathetic approach, underscores the holistic journey of finding one’s purpose and passion.
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