Describe your perfect job.

1:30

My perfect job would be working as a user experience researcher for an education app, ideally one designed for teenagers learning English. I first came across the idea through my cousin Linh, who works for a technology company in Ho Chi Minh City. She invited me to a workshop last summer, where students tried a new learning platform and explained what they were thinking. I watched the researchers turn those comments into practical improvements¹, and that was when the job started to feel, kind of, real to me. The job would involve interviewing learners and observing how they navigate an app. I’d go through their feedback looking for patterns, and then take what I’d found to the design team. I’d also work closely with teachers, whose priorities might not always match the programmers’ priorities. If a conversation took an unexpected turn, I’d have to think on my feet² and adapt the questions without making the learner feel judged. Ideally, I’d get my foot in the door through an internship at a small edtech company, so I could see how research works in practice. I think it’s perfect for me because I’m curious, but I also want to be useful. I enjoy understanding why people behave in certain ways, but I don’t want my work to remain theoretical. If a small design change helped a shy student practise more confidently³, it could make a real difference. I’d also strike a good balance between independent analysis and human contact. I mean, I’d have time to think things through, but I’d still see the effect of my work on real learners. It’s that sense of purpose - or rather, seeing it actually help someone - that would make me want to get up in the morning.

What would make it a 9 For Band 9, change “whose priorities might not always match the programmers’ priorities” to “who might want more grammar practice while the programmers want more games”.