Kate Moran

How has your career progressed since you graduated SILS?

I was fortunate to begin my career while working on my bachelor's and master's degrees - through internships while earning my BSIS, and by studying part-time while earning my MSIS. Balancing work and study put me in a much better position in my career after graduating with my master's degree.

In your current employment, what are your job duties and responsibilities?

I wear a lot of hats, so to speak. I consult with clients on their strategy for digital products; I speak at UX training conferences all over the world; I conduct UX research using a wide variety of methodologies; I write articles and reports on UX topics. I'm also our small company's event photographer on the side.

What projects have gotten you most excited and/or what accomplishments have made you the proudest?

It's hard to choose. I enjoy different projects for different reasons, and I like that my current role provides a lot variety in my work.

How did your time at SILS prepare you for the future?

SILS prepared me for my current role better than I ever realized at the time. I remember being frustrated at times that some of my courses focused so heavily on theory and less on applied techniques. I was feeling the pressure of the UX field--experience is everything. But now, out in that field, I realize the true value of a thorough foundation in information theory and human-computer interaction principles. It's something I draw upon every day. The tools and software and trends will come and go, but the core human nature that drives interaction patterns will stay.