S2 Ep 16. New Mission: Using Teaching & UXR for a Higher Purpose

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!

Transcript

Welcome & Podcast Introduction

Coach Zee 0:01

Hello teacher friends , welcome back to the UX Teacher Prep Podcast . I'm your host , coach Z , and I'm so glad you're here , whether this is your first time listening or you've been rocking with me since Season 1 , episode 1, . Thank you truly . This community , the teachers , the career changers , the researchers , the creatives , you've made this podcast a joy to create . Every DM , every email , linkedin message reminds me that this work matters , so thank you for being on this journey with me . For those of you who are newer here , a quick recap .

Coach Zee 0:38

I started my career as a classroom teacher and I loved it the connection , the impact , the kids . But like many of you , I knew I wanted to grow in new ways and that led me into the world of UX research , where I've been using my skills to inform the design of better digital learning experiences in edtech . I started this podcast because I wanted to help other educators make that transition too , to show what's possible when we take our transferable skills into new spaces . Today's episode is a little bit different . It's personal , it's reflective and it's about a full circle moment I didn't see coming . Stay tuned .

Announcer 1:17

Welcome to the UX Teacher Prep Podcast , the ultimate destination for educators who aspire to break into the field of user experience and product design . Your host , z Arnold , a 15-year teacher turned UX researcher , is here to guide , coach and mentor you through every twist and turn as you make your career transition into tech . If you're ready for a more satisfying career and lifestyle and you want the balance to unleash your creativity , this podcast is for you . Now for the show .

A New Calling to Serve Youth

Coach Zee 1:59

Over the past few months , something's been stirring in me and in my spiritual life A quiet nudge , a reminder , and I'll be real with you . It wasn't part of my five-year plan , but it was part of God's plan . I've been called to serve youth again not in the classroom this time , but in my local community . An opportunity opened up for me to mentor and lead programs for teens , and it was one of those moments where I felt God saying this is yours go . It didn't come to me right away and I prayed about it for quite some time , but I finally got that . Yes . Now let me be super clear . I'm not leaving UX . I'm still fully committed to my role as a senior UX researcher . That has not changed . But what has changed is that I'm also stepping into a part-time purpose Outside of work hours . I'll be pouring into young people again . I am so excited . I'll be mentoring , listening , building programs that help young people thrive , and it feels like a return , but it also feels like an expansion .

Coach Zee 3:03

For a while , I wrestled with this 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 step back . It's a step forward . I'm not returning to my old role as a teacher in the classroom . I'm stepping into a new one , one that blends all of who I've been and who I'm becoming to a new one , one that blends all of who I've been and who I'm becoming Because I've grown so much through UX the skills , the mindset , the way I see problems and the way I see design solutions . All of that is coming with me into this new chapter and I am so excited .

UX Skills in Youth Mentorship

Coach Zee 3:37

One of the most beautiful things about this transition is how much overlap I found between UX and youth work . Let me break it down for you . First , empathy In UX , we spend a lot of time trying to understand users , their pain points , their goals , their unmet needs , and working with youth is the same thing . I'm listening for what they're not saying . I'm asking what's really going on here . Next is synthesis . As researchers , we take messy data and find clarity . In youth work , that means designing better support systems , better programs . It's not just vibes with the youth , it's structure , it's insight , it's strategy , listening One of the most healing things we can offer someone is to truly listen . And teenagers they really need to feel seen and heard . My user interviews taught me how to listen without an agenda , and that skill is gold in mentorship and strategy , just like in UX . I'm setting up systems , I'm thinking long term and strategy . How do we measure impact ? How do we create consistency ? How do we build out this youth program ? These are UX questions and youth ministry questions too .

Coach Zee 4:53

So if you're wondering , what do these tech skills have to do with purpose Everything , ux and UX research they're toolkits and they're versatile . You'd be surprised how many places it can take you to . So if you're listening to this and you're feeling like your journey is starting to veer off the traditional path , I want you to hear me . That's not a detour , that's direction . Your path does not have to look like everyone else's , it doesn't have to look like mine and , of course , it doesn't have to be linear . You might go from teaching to tech , to nonprofit , to entrepreneurship . You might blend your passions in ways no one else has ever modeled , and that's the beautiful thing about it . Your skills are so much more transferable than you think . Every pivot can be aligned with purpose . So trust the nudge , follow the spark and know that if something's calling you , even if it's unconventional , it might just be the start of your next chapter .

Season Finale & Future Plans

Coach Zee 5:53

Before I close out today's episode , I want to share one more update . This is going to be the last episode for a little while . It's the end of season two . I'm taking a break from the podcast to give this new role the time and space that it needs . God has placed it on my heart to pour back into youth , specifically young girls in the community , so I'm answering that call , taking on a volunteer role to serve and support the next generation .

Coach Zee 6:21

What I love is that I get to bring my UX research skills and my teaching skills with me . The way we listen , the way we ask good questions , look for patterns and design thoughtful experiences All of that translates directly to working with youth . I get to use the same mindset to serve in a way that feels deeply personal and meaningful . So , as this season comes to a close , I want to pause the same mindset to serve in a way that feels deeply personal and meaningful . So , as this season comes to a close , I want to pause and reflect on how far we've come with UX teacher prep From teachers wondering what's next to confidently stepping into new careers Careers in UX research , careers in project management and product management and so many other careers .

Coach Zee 7:02

It's been such a joy to walk this road with you all and while I break from the podcast to focus on this new chapter , I hope that you all will stay connected . Follow UX Teacher Prep on LinkedIn , subscribe to the newsletter on the UX Teacher Prep website and , if and when the time is right , I'll be back with more stories and resources to support you through your journey . I want to leave you with this Keep building , keep listening and keep believing that your skills can take you anywhere . Purpose leads you . Thank you all again for trusting me to guide you in your journey and , once again , I am so excited about this new beginning . Take care and be well .

Final Thanks

Announcer 7:46

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 resources to help you on your tech transition journey , head over to uxteacherprepcom . Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram at uxteacherprep for daily tips and motivation . Have a topic you'd like to hear addressed on the show ? Send us a DM on Instagram . If you're listening on YouTube , like , subscribe and share . Until next time , be well .