The UX Teacher Prep Podcast
Zee Arnold, founder of UX Teacher Prep, spills the tea on her incredible journey from a 15-year teaching career to becoming a remote UX Researcher in just 5 months. Join Zee as she shares strategies, tips, and tricks to help you land your first tech role outside of the classroom. Discover how to showcase your transferable skills and escape burnout while finding the balance to unleash your creativity. Since her transition in 2022, Zee has been supporting other teachers in their career pivots by sharing her story, roadblocks, and valuable lessons learned along the way. You’ll also hear inspiring stories from other teachers who have successfully transitioned to creative tech careers such as UX Researcher, UX Writer, UX Designer, and Product Manager. Gain insights into the job search process and learn what to expect beyond the first 90 days in your new role. If you're ready to break into the tech industry and regain time for your health, family, travel, and all the things you deserve in life, hit subscribe and prepare to transform your future. Don't forget to share this podcast with a teacher friend who's ready to make their next move!
Episodes
30 episodes
S2 Ep 8. Beyond UX: Teacher Skills That Translate to Other Careers
The episode highlights the transferable skills educators possess that can open new career pathways outside teaching. I discuss how teacher skills can pave the way for successful careers in areas like curriculum design, project management, polic...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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14:57
S2 Ep 7. Embracing Rejection on the UX Career Path
As educators transitioning into UX and product design, the sting of rejection can feel overwhelming. But remember, you're not alone in this. Every "no" you encounter is an opportunity to adapt and grow. In today's episode, I share a personal st...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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11:11
S2 Ep 6. Navigating Post-Election Stress: A Word of Encouragement
A moment of rest and reflection.
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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7:09
S2 Ep 5. My First Case Study: Crafting A UX Portfolio from Classroom Experience
Ready to transform your teaching skills into a thriving UX career? Join me, Coach Zee, as I share my personal journey from a 15-year teaching tenure to becoming a Senior UX Researcher in EdTech. This episode will equip educators with the tools ...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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11:14
S2 Ep 4. Lessons in UX Success with Joe Natoli
Meet Joe Natoli, a seasoned UX expert whose career trajectory offers invaluable insights for both aspiring and experienced UX professionals. Join us as we uncover the wisdom Joe has amassed over three decades, from overcoming imposter syndrome ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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32:45
S2 Ep 3. Is Remote Work Over? Tips for Teachers Transitioning to UX in a Hybrid World
Is the era of remote work really over? Are we officially seeing the end of remote work? Is all hope lost for transitioning teachers who want to work from home? Tune in as we unpack the latest buzz around major companies like Amazon, Boeing, UPS...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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8:54
S2 Ep 2. From Special Ed Teacher to Customer Experience Manager with Shaine Frazier
Learn about the secrets of a successful career transition as I chat with Shaine Frazier, a former New York City Special Education Teacher turned UX and Customer Experience Design expert. Shane shares his journey from classroom discontent to his...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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32:22
S2 Ep 1. From Big Tech to Startup with Sr. UX Researcher Hilda Nalwanga
Unlock the secrets to a successful career transition with Hilda Naluanga, a senior UX researcher at Xsolla, in our latest episode. Discover how Hilda navigated the fascinating shift from a career development coach in South Africa to becoming a ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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37:12
Ep 21. Season Finale: Bridging the Gap Between Teaching and UX Research
What if your teaching skills could help you land an exciting career in User Experience Research? This season finale will guide educators through the essential skills and methodologies that make them uniquely qualified for a transition int...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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12:48
Ep 20. AI Tools to Boost Your UX Job Hunt
If you want to transition to a career in tech, you have to use tech! Ever wondered how AI can transform your career transition from teaching to UX design? I'm Coach Zee, a 15-year teacher turned UX Researcher and in this episode, I uncove...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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10:53
Ep 19. Pros and Cons of Remote Work From a Former Teacher
What if you could skip the exhausting daily grind, commute less, and transform your work-life balance entirely? That's exactly what happened to me as I transitioned from a traditional teaching role to becoming a Senior UX Researcher working rem...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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11:01
Ep 18. UX Research Job Interviews: Top Questions and Answers for Aspiring UX Researchers
In this episode, I unpack the most commonly asked questions in UX Research interviews and offer invaluable insights to help you ace them. Drawing from personal experiences and research, I guide you through key methodologies, the importance of s...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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13:33
Ep 17. The Teacher Shortage and Why Teachers are Not Ok
In today's episode, I discuss the teacher shortage and recent teacher stories in the news. The first step to overcoming an obstacle is admitting there is a problem. There is a huge problem with the state of teaching and although it will t...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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12:29
Ep 16. From Classroom to UX: Five Things I Wish I Knew Before My Career Transition
In today’s episode, I share the 5 things I wish I knew before transitioning out of the classroom. Knowing these 5 things would’ve eased my anxiety and helped me mentally and logistically prepare for my corporate role in tech. If you're co...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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13:36
Ep 15. How Transitioning Teachers Can Build a UX Portfolio
Are you a teacher interested in a creative career in UX (User Experience) Design? Let's unwrap the essentials of a portfolio that stands out, not just as a showcase, but as a narrative of your professional journey. In this episode, I of...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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15:17
Ep 14. Toxic Teaching Environments: Confronting the Challenge
Don't forget to enter the Teacher Appreciation Giveaway on Instagram!Every day, teachers across the world face the daunting task of nurturing young minds, often at the expens...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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20:38
Ep 13. Job Search Tips with Recruiter Sarah Janosz
Ever considered the leap from the classroom to a professional role in the creative industry? In this episode, I delve into this transition with the help of Sarah Janosz, a Creative Recruiter with a wealth of experience in creative placements. S...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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25:27
Ep 12. Getting Your Family to Support Your Career Change
Transitioning to a new career can be challenging, especially when it involves moving from a long-established role in teaching to the dynamic and fast-growing field of technology. Having the backing of your loved ones can make a significan...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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16:33
Ep 11. Committing to Better Health and Seeking Joy with Jite Lark
Teachers are known for their unwavering dedication to their students, often at the expense of their own health and well-being. In this episode, Jite Lark, a former educator turned administrator and women’s fitness and life transformation coach,...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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24:53
Ep 10. Communicating Your Why in Job Interviews
Embarking on a new career path can feel overwhelming, but I can help. Crafting a career narrative is not just about explaining the desire to leave teaching but also about conveying the excitement and commitment to contributing to the success of...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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11:29
Ep 9. Leveraging Teacher Skills for a Career in Ed Tech: The Educator's Edge
Is it time for educators to reinvent their careers by stepping into the ed tech realm, or should they take their talents to a whole new industry? I'm Zee Arnold, a teacher of 15 years and now a UX researcher, stirring up the conversation around...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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7:04
Ep 8. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a Transitioning Teacher
Ever felt like a fraud in your own classroom, or doubted your ability to take on a new career path? Trust me, you're not alone. On our latest journey together, we confront the all-too-common imposter syndrome that plagues many educators as they...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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14:06
Ep 7. From Barely Surviving as a Teacher to Thriving as a User Researcher with Sharon Ng
Have you ever felt trapped in a career that drains your spirit, wondering if the grass is truly greener on the other side? Today, I bring you a brave story of transformation that might just tip the scales for you. In this episode, I sit down wi...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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26:38
Ep 6. From Teacher to Design Program Manager with Tisha Woods
In today's episode, I interview the remarkable Tisha Woods, whose own metamorphosis from Child Development Educator to a Design Program Manager is nothing short of inspirational. Tisha illuminates the path she carved out for herself, transformi...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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23:28
Ep 5. The Art of Networking When Changing Careers
In today's episode, I reveal the hidden power of networking for educators aiming to pivot their careers into the exciting realm of user experience and product design. Through the UX Teacher Prep Podcast, you'll uncover the truth behind a robust...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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12:07