UX Case Study: Enhancing Pre-Intern Experience for Internships on Demand (IOD)
Methods and Approach:
The UX team utilized several methods to assess the current state, gather insights, and propose improvements:
Cognitive Walkthrough: The team conducted a cognitive walkthrough of key user tasks on the website to understand its current usability and user flow.
Contextual Inquiry: A contextual inquiry was performed where the team engaged with pre-interns remotely, observing them as they used the website in their natural environment. User comments and feedback were gathered to identify pain points.
Interactive Prototyping: Using Figma, an interactive prototype was designed based on the user feedback and identified areas for improvement.
Design Improvements:
Secondary navigation buttons were redesigned to improve their identification and usability.
User flows for viewing courses were optimized for a more efficient experience.
A group scheduling page was proposed to facilitate group meetings based on availability.
Interactive Prototype:
The team created an interactive prototype incorporating the suggested changes. Wireframes depicted various screens and states, including assignment uploads and group calendars.
Users:
The primary users are pre-interns from various parts of the country who access the site remotely. They are college students at different stages of their education and career. Participants must be enrolled in qualifying education programs.
Roles:
UX Researcher: Conducted a cognitive walkthrough and acted as an observer and timekeeper during the contextual inquiry.
UX Designer: Designed an interactive prototype addressing key user flows using Figma.
Key Insights:
User feedback highlighted that the site was functional but not desirable, similar to a cast on a broken bone.
Contextual inquiry provided valuable insights, addressing areas for confusion and potential improvements.
Pre-interns needed time to learn how to navigate the site before diving into the content.
Simplification of experience, automatic assignment completion, and clickable links were suggested to improve user experience.
Challenges were noted in scheduling group meetings due to different availabilities and time zones.
Final Thoughts:
The research and interviews indicated that pre-interns had a favorable view of the site's layout and functionality. The prototype addressed their suggestions for improvements, ultimately enhancing their daily experience as they progress in their professional careers. While the prototype focused on desktop experience, the responsive nature of the site on mobile devices and tablets is an area for future consideration.
Information Design and UI issues
Internships on Demand (IOD) needed to improve their student portal to enhance the experience for pre-interns. Users found the site challenging to navigate and needed more intuitive pathways to achieve their goals.
Acknowledgments:
Special thanks were extended to Keegan and Ryan from Internships on Demand, as well as the team and participants who contributed to the research and design process. The improvements made to the student portal aimed to create a more user-centric platform for pre-interns pursuing their professional development journey.
