Masters Alumna
What was your background before entering the HCC program?
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and worked as a UX Designer in a startup for five months in Pune, India, before moving to the United States to pursue a Master’s degree in HCC from UMBC.
What was your favorite class, and why?
There are so many! Fundamentals of Human-Centered Computing introduced me to Accessibility, which I am passionately pursuing now. The intellectually stimulating class discussions in the Human-Computer Interaction class were fun too. But my favorite is the UI Prototyping and Development class with Dr. Hamidi. It taught me to think creatively and fearlessly. I realized that the most effective solutions don’t come from following cookie-cutter processes but by going after the solution that the problem demands.
What are you doing now?
I am a User Experience Specialist at UserWorks. I conduct accessibility evaluations of web applications using WCAG 2.1 and assistive technology. I also recruit participants for usability studies, analyze usability test data, and present my findings and recommendations to clients.
What did you like best about the HCC program at UMBC?
The HCC department feels like a community. The professors are approachable and genuinely care about students’ learning experiences. I learned a lot from my peers who have diverse interests and skills and are happy to share them. I am most grateful for discovering my passion for Universal Design in the HCC program.