A bit about me…
Originally from Nebraska, I stayed close to home for college, attending Peru State College on academic and athletic scholarships. In 2019, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Science. I had always been interested in web design, and my coursework introduced me to front-end development while sparking my interest in the design of digital experiences.
After graduation, I landed an internship with Mutual of Omaha, a Fortune 500 insurance company, where I joined the Electronic Applications team. The role exposed me to different areas of product development, including software development, project management, and UX design. I quickly discovered that UX design was where my interests in visual design and technical problem-solving came together. Before my internship ended, I was offered a full-time position as a Junior UX/UI Designer.
As I grew in the role, I wanted to expand my technical skills and explore more possibilities beyond the limitations of the third-party platform we used. During my second year as a designer, I enrolled in a coding bootcamp and eventually transitioned into an Application Developer role. The experience strengthened my understanding of how applications are built, but it also helped me realize how much I missed the creativity and problem-solving involved in design. That realization led me back to UX/UI design, where I now create health data applications for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In my current role, I've had the opportunity to take greater ownership of the design process, tackle complex challenges, collaborate closely with developers, and lead design efforts. Stepping into a Senior UX/UI Designer role has allowed me to grow not only as a designer but also as a mentor and problem-solver. My experience across both design and development continues to shape how I approach each project, balancing user needs, thoughtful design, and technical feasibility.