Bailey Herbstreit is a Senior User Experience Researcher at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). She graduated from Cornell in 2018 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Computer Interaction at the University of California, Irvine.
Below is an interview with Bailey where she shares her experience as a Human Ecology undergraduate student, strategies for networking and finding mentors, general advice regarding skills and internships, and much more!
Q: How would you define user experience design in your own words?
A: Essentially, it is a holistic approach to problem solving with people in mind and in a way that is considerate, ethical, and inclusive. Contrary to popular belief, it is not exclusive to digital experiences or physical environments.
Q: What are some of the activities you were involved in during your undergraduate years?
A: Cornell Racing, The Straight Edge, and Big Red Bears
Q: How did your career goals change throughout college and beyond?
A: I began my undergraduate journey at Arizona State University (ASU) in the Exploratory Program, where I discovered my interest in social science. However, I felt like the program was missing a critical aspect: design. Seeking a more holistic approach, I transferred to Cornell where I discovered my interest in human factors and user experience design.
Q: What did your internship application process look like?
A: While at Cornell, I secured two internships as a user experience researcher—one with Hewlett-Packard (HP) and the other with Honeywell. Initially, I applied to every opportunity I could find with little success. I contacted around 30 startups in Arizona, offering my skills and willingness to work for free. I also reached out to a professor at ASU for help. It turned out an alum from the Human Factors program at ASU was looking for interns. I credit my HP internship entirely to networking. The following summer, I scored an internship at Honeywell, where I went on to work full-time after graduation.
Q: What about your internship application do you think stood out the most?
A: I don’t think I would have gotten the internships I did without my school projects. Work experience may not necessarily be your strong suit at this point in your life, so being able to speak to your work is powerful. While your resume and cover letter are what get you in the door, it’s the interview that seals the deal—and that’s where I think I shined in the application process.
Q: Do you have any other advice for DEA students?
A: Attend conferences—they often offer stipends and grants through the university to support your participation. I went to several Human Factors and Ergonomics Society conferences where I had the opportunity to network and even interview with companies seeking interns. I landed my internship with Honeywell relatively early in comparison to my peers. Additionally, I highly recommend adplist.org, an open-source platform connecting mentors and mentees for people interested in UX design and product design, among other things. If there’s a specific methodology or design discipline you want to learn, this platform is a great option—I wish I had this resource when I was a student.