July 22, 2025 • 8 mins
In today's episode I share a personal update about answering a spiritual call to mentor youth in my local community while continuing my UX research career. This unexpected opportunity represents not a step backward but a meaningful expansion that combines my teaching background with my UXR skills in a new context. THANK YOU for sticking with me through this incredible journey!
Text Me! 📱I’d love to hear from you! Click here to send me a message.
*Click the Support the Show link above to become a UXTP Premium Member and join the monthly Q & A for members only! Thanks for the love!
Resources:
- Follow us on Linkedin, Instagram, and YouTube for daily updates and tips.
- Grab your free UX transferable skills cheat sheet to get started on your transition journey to UX.
- Ready to find balance and unleash your creativity? Explore uxteacherprep.com to see how we can support you.
- Subscribe to our email list to be the first to receive updates about workshops and networking events.
- Want to be a guest on the show or know someone who’d be a great guest? Sign up here.
- Have ideas for a podcast topic you want to hear next? Email us at hello@uxeacherprep.com.
- Don’t forget to scroll down and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️review. Thanks for listening!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Coach Zee (00:01):
Hello teacher friends , welcome back to the UX Teacher
Prep Podcast.
I'm your host, coach Z, and I'mso glad you're here, whether
this is your first timelistening or you've been rocking
with me since Season 1, episode1,.
Thank you truly.
This community, the teachers,the career changers, the
(00:23):
researchers, the creatives,you've made this podcast a joy
to create.
Every DM, every email, linkedinmessage reminds me that this
work matters, so thank you forbeing on this journey with me.
For those of you who are newerhere, a quick recap.
I started my career as aclassroom teacher and I loved it
the connection, the impact, thekids.
(00:45):
But like many of you, I knew Iwanted to grow in new ways and
that led me into the world of UXresearch, where I've been using
my skills to inform the designof better digital learning
experiences in edtech.
I started this podcast becauseI wanted to help other educators
make that transition too, toshow what's possible when we
take our transferable skillsinto new spaces.
(01:05):
Today's episode is a little bitdifferent.
It's personal, it's reflectiveand it's about a full circle
moment I didn't see coming.
Stay tuned.
Announcer (01:17):
Welcome to the UX Teacher Prep Podcast, the
ultimate destination foreducators who aspire to break
into the field of userexperience and product design.
Your host, z Arnold, a 15-yearteacher turned UX researcher, is
here to guide, coach and mentoryou through every twist and
turn as you make your careertransition into tech.
If you're ready for a moresatisfying career and lifestyle
(01:40):
and you want the balance tounleash your creativity, this
podcast is for you.
Now for the show.
Coach Zee (01:59):
Over the past few months, something's been
stirring in me and in myspiritual life A quiet nudge, a
reminder, and I'll be real withyou.
It wasn't part of my five-yearplan, but it was part of God's
plan.
I've been called to serve youthagain not in the classroom this
time, but in my local community.
An opportunity opened up for meto mentor and lead programs for
(02:21):
teens, and it was one of thosemoments where I felt God saying
this is yours go.
It didn't come to me right awayand I prayed about it for quite
some time, but I finally gotthat.
Yes.
Now let me be super clear.
I'm not leaving UX.
I'm still fully committed to myrole as a senior UX researcher.
That has not changed.
(02:41):
But what has changed is thatI'm also stepping into a
part-time purpose Outside ofwork hours.
I'll be pouring into youngpeople again.
I am so excited.
I'll be mentoring, listening,building programs that help
young people thrive, and itfeels like a return, but it also
feels like an expansion.
(03:03):
For a while, I wrestled withthis idea of is this a pivot?
Am I going backwards?
But the more I sat with it,prayed on it, the more I
realized that this is not a stepback.
It's a step forward.
I'm not returning to my oldrole as a teacher in the
classroom.
I'm stepping into a new one,one that blends all of who I've
(03:23):
been and who I'm becoming to anew one, one that blends all of
who I've been and who I'mbecoming Because I've grown so
much through UX the skills, themindset, the way I see problems
and the way I see designsolutions.
All of that is coming with meinto this new chapter and I am
so excited.
One of the most beautiful thingsabout this transition is how
much overlap I found between UXand youth work.
Let me break it down for you.
(03:44):
First, empathy In UX, we spenda lot of time trying to
understand users, their painpoints, their goals, their unmet
needs, and working with youthis the same thing.
I'm listening for what they'renot saying.
I'm asking what's really goingon here.
Next is synthesis.
As researchers, we take messydata and find clarity.
(04:05):
In youth work, that meansdesigning better support systems
, better programs.
It's not just vibes with theyouth, it's structure, it's
insight, it's strategy,listening One of the most
healing things we can offersomeone is to truly listen.
And teenagers they really needto feel seen and heard.
(04:25):
My user interviews taught mehow to listen without an agenda,
and that skill is gold inmentorship and strategy, just
like in UX.
I'm setting up systems, I'mthinking long term and strategy.
How do we measure impact?
How do we create consistency?
How do we build out this youthprogram?
(04:48):
These are UX questions andyouth ministry questions too.
So if you're wondering, what dothese tech skills have to do
with purpose Everything, ux andUX research they're toolkits and
they're versatile.
You'd be surprised how manyplaces it can take you to.
So if you're listening to thisand you're feeling like your
(05:09):
journey is starting to veer offthe traditional path, I want you
to hear me.
That's not a detour, that'sdirection.
Your path does not have to looklike everyone else's, it
doesn't have to look like mineand, of course, it doesn't have
to be linear.
You might go from teaching totech, to nonprofit, to
entrepreneurship.
You might blend your passionsin ways no one else has ever
(05:32):
modeled, and that's thebeautiful thing about it.
Your skills are so much moretransferable than you think.
Every pivot can be aligned withpurpose.
So trust the nudge, follow thespark and know that if
something's calling you, even ifit's unconventional, it might
just be the start of your nextchapter.
(05:53):
Before I close out today'sepisode, I want to share one
more update.
This is going to be the lastepisode for a little while.
It's the end of season two.
I'm taking a break from thepodcast to give this new role
the time and space that it needs.
God has placed it on my heartto pour back into youth,
specifically young girls in thecommunity, so I'm answering that
(06:15):
call, taking on a volunteerrole to serve and support the
next generation.
What I love is that I get tobring my UX research skills and
my teaching skills with me.
The way we listen, the way weask good questions, look for
patterns and design thoughtfulexperiences All of that
translates directly to workingwith youth.
(06:35):
I get to use the same mindsetto serve in a way that feels
deeply personal and meaningful.
So, as this season comes to aclose, I want to pause the same
mindset to serve in a way thatfeels deeply personal and
meaningful.
So, as this season comes to aclose, I want to pause and
reflect on how far we've comewith UX teacher prep From
teachers wondering what's nextto confidently stepping into new
careers Careers in UX research,careers in project management
(06:58):
and product management and somany other careers.
It's been such a joy to walkthis road with you all and while
I break from the podcast tofocus on this new chapter, I
hope that you all will stayconnected.
Follow UX Teacher Prep onLinkedIn, subscribe to the
newsletter on the UX TeacherPrep website and, if and when
the time is right, I'll be backwith more stories and resources
(07:22):
to support you through yourjourney.
I want to leave you with thisKeep building, keep listening
and keep believing that yourskills can take you anywhere.
Purpose leads you.
Thank you all again fortrusting me to guide you in your
journey and, once again, I amso excited about this new
beginning.
Take care and be well.
Announcer (07:46):
Hey, thanks so much for tuning in.
If you like this podcast, hit,follow and scroll down to leave
a five-star rating.
Then share it with a friend.
If you're looking for resourcesto help you on your tech
transition journey, head over touxteacherprepcom.
Follow us on LinkedIn andInstagram at uxteacherprep for
daily tips and motivation.
(08:06):
Have a topic you'd like to hearaddressed on the show?
Send us a DM on Instagram.
If you're listening on YouTube,like, subscribe and share.
Until next time, be well.
Hello teacher friends , welcome back to the UX Teacher
Prep Podcast.
I'm your host, coach Z, and I'mso glad you're here, whether
this is your first timelistening or you've been rocking
with me since Season 1, episode1,.
Thank you truly.
This community, the teachers,the career changers, the
(00:23):
researchers, the creatives,you've made this podcast a joy
to create.
Every DM, every email, linkedinmessage reminds me that this
work matters, so thank you forbeing on this journey with me.
For those of you who are newerhere, a quick recap.
I started my career as aclassroom teacher and I loved it
the connection, the impact, thekids.
(00:45):
But like many of you, I knew Iwanted to grow in new ways and
that led me into the world of UXresearch, where I've been using
my skills to inform the designof better digital learning
experiences in edtech.
I started this podcast becauseI wanted to help other educators
make that transition too, toshow what's possible when we
take our transferable skillsinto new spaces.
(01:05):
Today's episode is a little bitdifferent.
It's personal, it's reflectiveand it's about a full circle
moment I didn't see coming.
Stay tuned.
Announcer (01:17):
Welcome to the UX Teacher Prep Podcast, the
ultimate destination foreducators who aspire to break
into the field of userexperience and product design.
Your host, z Arnold, a 15-yearteacher turned UX researcher, is
here to guide, coach and mentoryou through every twist and
turn as you make your careertransition into tech.
If you're ready for a moresatisfying career and lifestyle
(01:40):
and you want the balance tounleash your creativity, this
podcast is for you.
Now for the show.
Coach Zee (01:59):
Over the past few months, something's been
stirring in me and in myspiritual life A quiet nudge, a
reminder, and I'll be real withyou.
It wasn't part of my five-yearplan, but it was part of God's
plan.
I've been called to serve youthagain not in the classroom this
time, but in my local community.
An opportunity opened up for meto mentor and lead programs for
(02:21):
teens, and it was one of thosemoments where I felt God saying
this is yours go.
It didn't come to me right awayand I prayed about it for quite
some time, but I finally gotthat.
Yes.
Now let me be super clear.
I'm not leaving UX.
I'm still fully committed to myrole as a senior UX researcher.
That has not changed.
(02:41):
But what has changed is thatI'm also stepping into a
part-time purpose Outside ofwork hours.
I'll be pouring into youngpeople again.
I am so excited.
I'll be mentoring, listening,building programs that help
young people thrive, and itfeels like a return, but it also
feels like an expansion.
(03:03):
For a while, I wrestled withthis idea of is this a pivot?
Am I going backwards?
But the more I sat with it,prayed on it, the more I
realized that this is not a stepback.
It's a step forward.
I'm not returning to my oldrole as a teacher in the
classroom.
I'm stepping into a new one,one that blends all of who I've
(03:23):
been and who I'm becoming to anew one, one that blends all of
who I've been and who I'mbecoming Because I've grown so
much through UX the skills, themindset, the way I see problems
and the way I see designsolutions.
All of that is coming with meinto this new chapter and I am
so excited.
One of the most beautiful thingsabout this transition is how
much overlap I found between UXand youth work.
Let me break it down for you.
(03:44):
First, empathy In UX, we spenda lot of time trying to
understand users, their painpoints, their goals, their unmet
needs, and working with youthis the same thing.
I'm listening for what they'renot saying.
I'm asking what's really goingon here.
Next is synthesis.
As researchers, we take messydata and find clarity.
(04:05):
In youth work, that meansdesigning better support systems
, better programs.
It's not just vibes with theyouth, it's structure, it's
insight, it's strategy,listening One of the most
healing things we can offersomeone is to truly listen.
And teenagers they really needto feel seen and heard.
(04:25):
My user interviews taught mehow to listen without an agenda,
and that skill is gold inmentorship and strategy, just
like in UX.
I'm setting up systems, I'mthinking long term and strategy.
How do we measure impact?
How do we create consistency?
How do we build out this youthprogram?
(04:48):
These are UX questions andyouth ministry questions too.
So if you're wondering, what dothese tech skills have to do
with purpose Everything, ux andUX research they're toolkits and
they're versatile.
You'd be surprised how manyplaces it can take you to.
So if you're listening to thisand you're feeling like your
(05:09):
journey is starting to veer offthe traditional path, I want you
to hear me.
That's not a detour, that'sdirection.
Your path does not have to looklike everyone else's, it
doesn't have to look like mineand, of course, it doesn't have
to be linear.
You might go from teaching totech, to nonprofit, to
entrepreneurship.
You might blend your passionsin ways no one else has ever
(05:32):
modeled, and that's thebeautiful thing about it.
Your skills are so much moretransferable than you think.
Every pivot can be aligned withpurpose.
So trust the nudge, follow thespark and know that if
something's calling you, even ifit's unconventional, it might
just be the start of your nextchapter.
(05:53):
Before I close out today'sepisode, I want to share one
more update.
This is going to be the lastepisode for a little while.
It's the end of season two.
I'm taking a break from thepodcast to give this new role
the time and space that it needs.
God has placed it on my heartto pour back into youth,
specifically young girls in thecommunity, so I'm answering that
(06:15):
call, taking on a volunteerrole to serve and support the
next generation.
What I love is that I get tobring my UX research skills and
my teaching skills with me.
The way we listen, the way weask good questions, look for
patterns and design thoughtfulexperiences All of that
translates directly to workingwith youth.
(06:35):
I get to use the same mindsetto serve in a way that feels
deeply personal and meaningful.
So, as this season comes to aclose, I want to pause the same
mindset to serve in a way thatfeels deeply personal and
meaningful.
So, as this season comes to aclose, I want to pause and
reflect on how far we've comewith UX teacher prep From
teachers wondering what's nextto confidently stepping into new
careers Careers in UX research,careers in project management
(06:58):
and product management and somany other careers.
It's been such a joy to walkthis road with you all and while
I break from the podcast tofocus on this new chapter, I
hope that you all will stayconnected.
Follow UX Teacher Prep onLinkedIn, subscribe to the
newsletter on the UX TeacherPrep website and, if and when
the time is right, I'll be backwith more stories and resources
(07:22):
to support you through yourjourney.
I want to leave you with thisKeep building, keep listening
and keep believing that yourskills can take you anywhere.
Purpose leads you.
Thank you all again fortrusting me to guide you in your
journey and, once again, I amso excited about this new
beginning.
Take care and be well.
Announcer (07:46):
Hey, thanks so much for tuning in.
If you like this podcast, hit,follow and scroll down to leave
a five-star rating.
Then share it with a friend.
If you're looking for resourcesto help you on your tech
transition journey, head over touxteacherprepcom.
Follow us on LinkedIn andInstagram at uxteacherprep for
daily tips and motivation.
(08:06):
Have a topic you'd like to hearaddressed on the show?
Send us a DM on Instagram.
If you're listening on YouTube,like, subscribe and share.
Until next time, be well.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.