Name: Cara H.
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH Office Location: Chicago, IL
University: The Ohio State University Major: Information Systems
Start Date: June 2023
Starting Role: Product & Design Development Program

Describe your role.

I sit on the 84.51° Stratum XD (Experience Design) team. We work on our platform, 84.51° Stratum, to build an easier and more enjoyable experience for users. We do this through research, journey mapping, sketching, designing wireframes, prototyping and user testing. It is a lot of collaboration with various teams!

What was your experience like in the Development Program?

I had a wonderful time in the Development Program. I felt so supported along the way with the help of my mentors and manager. It was great having a cohort of 16 other new grads to meet and share experiences with, especially moving to a new city. It really set me up for long-term success!

How do you believe the 84.51° Development Program compares to other comparable programs?

I believe this program gives us time to learn and take in information in a quick manner and then get placed, compared to other programs where it is a much longer drawn-out process. It is nice this program is efficient because I felt like I could add value sooner than other comparable programs.

How do you believe the Development Program equipped you for success at 84.51°?

The Development Program equipped me for success at 84.51° in countless ways. I gained a great understanding of what 84.51° is all about and the ways of working at the company. I had wonderful mentors to guide me on the right path of what to do with my skills. It gave me the opportunity to understand how teams worked with others and how information transferred across the business. After the Development Program, I felt as if I had a great foundational understanding of what the business does and how my skills could add value in various places.

What did you learn from the Development Program that you have transferred into your current role?

I learned effective techniques for storytelling, communication, and building relationships. I had a lot of trainings at the beginning focused around what various teams do, such as the Media function, data science and so on. In these trainings, we were shown the tools they used as well as the structure of their work. I also learned a lot about the ways of working and how the team utilizes their time from day-to-day.

Is there anything you wish you had known about the Development Program prior to enrolling?

I wish I had known how supportive the program was. As it is fast paced, I never felt confused on what was next or what I should be doing on a day-to-day basis. Going into a full-time position after graduating is intimidating, but 84.51° really has a good structure to set you up and guide you to success.

What has been the most memorable experience or favorite project you’ve worked on?

My most memorable experience so far was facilitating a listening lab. This was a 45-minute user session where I sat in with a CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) user and watched her use 84.51° Stratum in her natural working state. We used the insights we gained from this session to improve the current user experience.