I Heart Working in IT, and in Being a Wordsmith.

Career dreams do come true, despite this change coming to life in the midst of a global pandemic, and one that we are still living in. Sadly. Change is constant, and it is pretty amazing when the odds end up being stacked in your favour in your work. Enjoy your work first, and then the money you earn will usually have more stickability on your side.

On the bright side, it is possible to work from home. It comes with an identity shift from being a nine to fiver, to being in more control of your destiny. There needs to be a motivating trigger to embark on a career change. On the cusp of burn out, I have let you, dear reader, into my previous world and careers, where I did not fit in, and the epiphanies behind all of that. I gave you the keys to that valuable content in this article. I am humbled to know, that since that article was published, some career coaches have shared such with their clients. It makes a lot of sense, but not to impress, yet rather to impress upon you, that until you are clear on what you can and cannot tolerate in the world of work; the square peg in a round hole feeling is ever so real.

I am so honoured to be given a golden opportunity to let you in on a typical day in a life of what I currently do, as a Freelance User Experience (UX) Designer as my main business, while I am also a Freelance Writer and candle maker on the side. This dream come true did not come easy. There was a stage, at age 39, despite holding my Australian Business Number (ABN) for 14 years at that point, with a few darn good business ventures under my belt; and I still had zero clue on what I wanted to do with my life, and that is despite having purchased my own home after graduating from University (college in the USA).

When the COVID-19 Pandemic began, that was when I was a student in the work I currently do for a few months while working for a chocolatier, to help me recover from corporate burnout, and to find my feet in the IT industry. UX Design is not stressful, yet this IT speciality is a difficult, brain intensive job at the best of times; and learning and working in a remote and isolating environment, where you might need a technical brain, or a creative brain, depending on the task at hand is not ideal.

Lady luck was not on my side, when my portfolio was finally published, in terms of working for someone else. There were a few golden opportunities, where I made the final short list, only to be told that either you or your approach to the UX Design thinking process was not the right fit for what the relevant organisation was looking for.

This is a valuable video on becoming a UX Designer, of which helped me on my journey:

Therefore it was time to dive deep, and freelance, all the while I held onto my existing part-time job. One month later, my first ongoing client came into the picture, and I am still working for them, in shaping their User Interface (UI), and moderating social media content for safety purposes. My work determines if the relevant content either gets taken down, and/or receives any advertising in order to earn ad revenue per click.

Two months later, my second ongoing client arrives, as a UX Writer for a messaging service, where you need to act quickly in writing content that is less than 100 words, in either entertaining the user, or providing them with fruitful information. In that, us UX Writers are also creating the user persona, while adding valuable notes to that persona. In that role, I am paid for each grammatically correct message I send, in meeting their needs, and in solving their problem. This type of work relies entirely on the Internet. My portfolio, and my LinkedIn profile have helped me find these two ongoing clients. Each has their own audition process, in order to demonstrate your skills, like if you are asked to partake in a design sprinting experience.

A couple of months in, the day finally came to sack my boss at the chocolatier, and I have been going it 100% alone for six months now (since the beginning of March 2021, as at the time of writing this), without looking back. In addition to those two ongoing clients, I also help out in IT Support for a previous corporate employer, all in the comfort of my home, overlooking nature, and parts of Sydney Harbour. A soothing environment is necessary in order for creativity, and technical ability to shine forth. It is a lockdown proof job/business. I love it. Please note, that my work is privy to some sensitive content, and therefore I cannot divulge the names of my clients, due to strict Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA's) being signed.

Additionally, I also have some ad hoc clients, where I usually visit their office premises, and they are based within walking distance from my home; although with a couple of them, I had to fly interstate, and catch a short train trip from my home as well. With them, I am usually synthesising the research findings, where I see and analyse the results, and discuss the problem at hand. From my insights, the client in question normally knows what app to create for example. The solution could also be a website, and/or a new product from scratch. UX Design can cross over into product design. With some ad hoc clients, I am also paid to taste food and/or beverages, and provide my feedback on the product, and the current marketing messages and packaging designs. Imposter syndrome is real, and therefore you need to be gentle with yourself, and value your skills. There are still times where I do not know what I am doing, yet this is where discernment comes in when solving a pivotal problem, and quickly too, in meeting the users needs, and in keeping the Internet a safe place for humanity.

UX Design is a unique IT speciality, where you need a high level of empathy for the user (whether that person is a customer, or an employee of the relevant clients organisation), in designing intuitive products, apps and/or websites for them to use and enjoy with ease and precision.

There is a five step design thinking process that all UX Designers use, and of what I have clearly demonstrated on my online portfolio. As a freelancer, I do not get involved in wire framing/digital prototypes that much, as that is my weaker area. There are times where you may need to code, and if so, it is advisable for UX Designers to know and understand HTML and CSS out of the front end languages. I also know Ruby (a back end programming language, generally used when designing apps with a developer; with Ruby on Rails as a framework.)

This process is as follows:

1. Empathy - as mentioned, every UX Designer/UI Designer/UX Writer needs to have empathy for the relevant user. Almost as much empathy as anyone in the medical profession would require. Empathy maps is a valuable UX key deliverable here.

2. Define - further empathy is gained for the user, through the UX research process, by interviewing and adhering to other user research methods like diary studies, observation, and card sorting to name. This is also where UX Designers synthesise the research, where ideas are posted on post-it notes, and those notes are stuck to the wall. This is where outliers and common themes are identified, in solving a users problem. You need to think like a Lawyer here. Devising problem and solution statements (for example) help flesh out the problem, in order to come up with a solution; whether that solution is to design a new app, and/or refine an existing one, to make it more user friendly. An example of UX research synthesis, and the customer journey mapping process is seen in the image below.

3. Iterate - UX Designers need to be great at receiving constructive feedback and criticism on their work. As a Freelance UX Designer at a junior level, this is the norm, as my work gets checked on, with certain QA scores to be met. Iterating is about learning, and also making revisions to your solutions and prototypes, of which also depends on how the user testing process goes. In a nutshell, UX Designers are constantly iterating their work.

4. Prototype - this is where you either draw out your idea on paper, which is a form of low fidelity (lo-fi) prototyping, to then making a pixel perfect version on prototyping programs such as Figma and Sketch (wireframes); of which is a form of high fidelity (hi-fi) prototyping; the latter of which I am not the best at. For the paper sketches, this is where UX Designers get to draw for a living, as well as when the time comes to assist in a new product labelling design. An example of a paper prototype being drawn up for a new app design is seen in the image below.

5. Test - the time comes to test out your prototypes. The paper type can be tested on the apps like POP by Marvel, where you watch the user, and gauge their thought process. This is the stage where you are not to help the user if they are struggling. If the user is struggling, or misinterprets the function; then it is time to iterate that prototype, and to try again. High fidelity prototypes are also tested. This is where users are generally offered an incentive for their participation. Same with research processes in step 1, usually through testing and market research recruiters. Even though I have my own VPN, yet for one testing client, I had to download theirs. Moderators in market research focus groups are usually UX Designers, as well as those individuals hiding behind a glass mirror in such.

No two days are ever the same, yet below is a sample of my schedule in lockdown. There is flexibility involved, as you might have to take on extra work for another freelancer one week, and then vice versa.

In lockdown - any day other than a Tuesday or a Friday:

8:15am: Check emails.

8:30am: Log into the back end for the UX Writing and persona creation work. Any feedback from the client will either be emailed in advance, or shown on screen after logging in. Then respond and write to each and every available message. Do as much as possible. The invoicing is automatic, and I can log out any time. This work is either done at my desk, or on the chaise.

9:30am: Check phone messages, and go out and exercise.

12:30pm: Lunch.

1pm - 3pm: UX Writing.

4pm: Attend to one of my side projects (write an article here on Vocal Media, or get busy making candles, and/or selling them online. I need to ship them out as well.)

5pm: Have a hot bath, and retire for the day. Watch TV, and stream content. Speak to friends, and enjoy dinner.

On a Tuesday or a Friday (both in lockdown, and in the free times), unless I have extra demand with the UI side of things:

8am: Check emails, and check UI client email box for feedback from last weeks efforts; and check QA scores if published.

8:15am: UX Writing work.

8:30am - 1:30pm: Attend to any UI requests, and suggest if any iterations need to be made to a particular video social media platform. Inform the client on Slack that I am logged in and working. Watch videos, and document judgement ratings. Take it down, or approve the video for advertising. If reasoning is required, leave comments/notes as to why. Re-watch videos if necessary, paying attention to the visuals, as well as the sounds/vocals and song lyrics flag. Audio flag if the breach is in relation to the song lyrics being played. For example, if s**t is mentioned in the song lyrics; then audio flag as profanity. Take quick toilet stops if necessary, and have food and water on hand. Sitting at my desk at all times. Document any videos that are longer in duration. There are usually twenty of those. Inform the client on Slack that my shift is over for that set. (Two sets per week). On this, some of the content makes me laugh, as well as smile, while some of this content lowers my faith in humanity - which is tough, as you need to hold onto the empathy for every single creator/user. Sometimes you see repeats of what was seen on the box, or on Netflix the night before. Not always a dream job, yet it is nice to get paid to watch videos for at least ten hours a week, and sometimes more. Nice to work bare foot, and I usually dress up in the common IT attire: jeans and a t-shirt.

1:30pm - 1:35pm: Report writing and invoicing. Check emails again.

1:35 - 1:45pm: More UX writing work.

1:45pm - 2:15pm: IT support - coding, writing, or re-starting a server. An email came in asking for help. Notify client via email when I have logged in and logged out of the back end of their UI.

2:20pm - 5pm: Outdoor exercise, and grocery shopping.

5pm - 9pm: Bath, dinner, TV, and catch up with friends and family. Read a good book.

On Monday's, Wednesday's and Thursday's in non-lockdown periods:

8am: Wake up/get ready, and check emails.

8:30am - 10am: UX Writing work.

11am: Client meeting. Boardroom UX Research Synthesis or User Testing setup.

12:30pm: Cafe lunch.

1:30pm: Exercise.

3pm: Personal care - dental, physiotherapy, beauty appointments, and/or get a massage. Or go shopping and so on.

5pm: UX Writing check.

6:30pm: Side hustle hour, and then retire for the day.

Sharing my schedules above gives you an idea of the freedom and the flexibility with my freelance work. It does not always make sense, as UX Design is also a role filled with variety. With my UX Writing work, there are times where I also take my laptop to libraries and cafes to do some work, with my Wi-Fi device and dongle. The times do mix and change, because I also have an elderly uncle who I see, of who is in a nursing home...and when travelling interstate; my schedule gets moved around too, depending on flight times and delays, as well as client appointments. I am grateful to have clients who give me full flexibility on the times and days I complete my assigned work, provided that all deadlines are met. There is a structure to what I do, yet there is definitely no routine. For example, if the UX Writing work cuts dry (as in, no messages to respond to); then I might work on my side hustles, or clean the house. I might use that time wisely to get my long walks in, or spend some time at the beach.

As I am passionate about what I do, I work every single day; where two out of those seven days (as you can see) I am close to working eight hours a day; yet the most I have worked in a day since the beginning of March when being fully self employed again, and free from a boss would be about 12 hours a day; and that happened in June, as June is a super busy month for my IT Support client, due to the end of financial year in Australia. On this, if you are not sure of what your passion is, then I recommend a career book called What Colour is Your Parachute by Richard Nelson Bolles.

On weekends, I just mainly attend to my UX Writing work, where I work a few hours a day. In lockdown, I have aimed for Sunday afternoons to be my writers retreat, for the purposes of writing and publishing these articles here in Vocal Media, including editing and image selection and placement. Two days a week I usually work 6-8 hours a day, and on the other five days I work 3-4 hours a day, unless I am on holidays. Since the beginning of March 2021, there have only been five days that I have had off completely. Even when I was in hospital for a day back in May 2021 after a brief holiday; I still worked a couple of hours that day, prior to being admitted on a back of a much needed COVID-19 swab. I was lucky that my pneumonia diagnosis enabled me to continue to do this IT work with a passion, and with gusto; and I also did not receive any side effects from my first COVID-19 shot last month.

I work every day, not only because I love what I am doing, yet I am a giver who loves to give my clients value, and so to preserve the awesome relationship that has been built. As I love what I do, this work to me in the IT industry feels like play, and where my writing, critical thinking, and creativity skills are really appreciated. Even my basic technical skills come in handy. This work is not easy, yet it keeps my brain active. Something would be wrong if I was bored in this job.

Everyone needs a side hustle or two, as that helps bring in more income. These days, multiple sources of income is highly recommended, because if one source dries up, then it isn't a big deal. This is why I am also an investor, as the passive income that comes in keeps me stable, and if work dries up (which has happened a bit with the UX Writing side); it keeps me in business for myself, so I do not go back to the grind, and being told what to do, and when. Depending on your attitude to risk, if being a freelancer or entrepreneur is your cup of tea; it is wise to hang onto that job for now, until you get a sign or a signal to pivot solely into your own business. You will just know. In my case, I was barely working in the last month of my time at the chocolatier, as I no longer needed to, and a couple of external circumstances gave me a gentle push until I got the message loud and clear, in giving my two weeks notice to leave.

On the other hand, if you prefer the Freedom First approach (based on the book of the same title by Matthew Klan), then you will capitalise on the times when you are fresh and alert (as you can tell, I work best in the mornings, yet you might be different); in an undertaking that will make you money in a flash, where your side hustle could be your main business quickly. The approach to this method, is that your precious hours of productivity are not taken away by living someone else's dream. I do not know about you, yet when yours truly was working a standard nine to five (if I was lucky) in a management role in the corporate world; barely any energy was left to work on those side hustles. In order to make this change into IT, and become a student before becoming a freelancer; I had to quit that job to heal, and to have the energy to put into my studies. If you do the latter, the best tip I can given you is to have 3-6 months of living expenses set aside, so to not self sabotage. The same is true if you want to dive into the Freedom First approach.

Having a side hustle (a business) in addition to owning your own business on a more serious basis is completely different. The side hustle is more of a side passion project, that adds more meat to the already cool passion project that you are spending more time on. In my case, my freelance UX Design work was my side hustle for six months, until it became a serious business six months in from saying goodbye to that part-time job that was no longer right for me. Therefore writing on Vocal Media became my new side hustle, with candle making coming in not long thereafter, to give me something else to do with my hands, to take the place of making drinks for people. The therapeutic benefits of my two side hustles is so priceless.

There you have it, a day in the life in what I do, without the need to return to the corporate world. In saying that though, there are times where I might engage in a short-term project or two for the Government for 2-3 months of the year, depending on how I feel. That helps me top up my superannuation, and to spend time working with other people autonomously, as remote working in IT can feel a bit anti-social, even though it is nice to not have people in your face. It is nice to be working, and to be fully immersed and present in what I do. I do not know what content will flow my way, yet problems (pleasant or otherwise) need to, and will be solved. The right work is also great for our mental health. You are helping people, and in being of pure service. You are contributing to humanity's needs.

I heart IT, and for the gift of bring able to have my way with words; with the Internet, and with some soy wax and beautiful smelling blends.

"I love my job, because of all of the above." - Justine Crowley