Career Roadmap
Cheryl's work combines: Technology, Design, and Accomplishing Goals
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Computer Science
Carnegie Mellon University
Bachelor's Degree
Human Computer Interaction
Carnegie Mellon University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Human Factors Engineers & Ergonomists:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Computer Science
Bachelor's Degree: Human Computer Interaction
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I decided I was drawn to technology.
2.
Then I saw Randy Pausch give a talk about interaction design and I realized it was a calling.
3.
Then I found a way to get into the HCI double major at CMU.
4.
Then I got a job offer in HCI but had it rescinded due to the recession after 9/11.
5.
Then I pursued a career in entertainment technology for 4 years as a game producer and designer.
6.
Then I returned to HCI/interaction design in 2007 once I needed an intellectual change.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
You can't switch careers, people won't appreciate your diverse experience.
How I responded:
I've switched industries and careers multiple times. You can separate your inherent skills and value from the industry in which you delivered them. It's not only possible, it makes you more awesome when you can prove you learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I suffered a traumatic physical injury in 2010, shattering my kneecap into 5 pieces in a fall. I was off my feet for 6 weeks, handicapped for 2 years, but with 2 years of physical therapy and more training I now run half marathons without pain.