Tell us about your first day at something — school, work, as a parent, etc.

This question resonated with me because I never got the chance to share my experience of the first day as a UX Researcher, not even during my first job at a tech company.

I’ll divide my answer into two parts: first, my experience with my first job at an agency, and second, my most recent and current role at a product company.

Qairos Asia

My first week as a UX Researcher felt like a dream come true. I was nervous, overwhelmed, and kept questioning myself: Did I really make it?

One of the main reasons I struggle with confidence when socializing is my fear and hesitation to feel comfortable around others again. This started during the pandemic when lockdowns forced us into isolation. At the time, I was managing our small family business and doing side hustles remotely, with minimal interaction beyond my family. This lack of social engagement significantly impacted my ability to connect with others and took a toll on my mental health, especially when it came to meeting and bonding with people.

During my first week, everyone was incredibly welcoming. I could hardly believe I had made it this far after transitioning careers. In my mind, I was screaming and celebrating how proud I was of myself. Van, the HR representative, gave me a tour of the Qairos office as well as the other side, which houses MLT.

During my first week, I met a lot of people and was assigned a “buddy” named Ven. She showed me around the office, explained everyone’s roles, and even invited me to join them for lunch. Since we follow a hybrid setup, we primarily stayed in the office during our return-to-office (RTO) days.

To add a little fun to my first week, I noticed someone who caught my attention. It’s a bit funny and maybe a little weird, but I’ve had a crush on him ever since—and he still hasn’t noticed, haha!

Overall, I truly enjoyed my first week at the company. However, I couldn’t help but feel shy and a bit out of place—they all seemed so polished and came from prestigious universities like the Big 4. I struggled with low self-esteem, feeling like I didn’t belong. That’s why I’m incredibly thankful and grateful to my UX Research lead, who not only trained me and taught me everything I needed to know but also helped boost my confidence along the way.

Booky (current)

My first week as a UX Researcher at Booky was both fun and exciting. Although this is my second role as a UX Researcher, it’s my first time working in a product company, which made the experience even more special.

There’s a notable difference between Qairos and Booky. Qairos focuses on client-based projects, catering to specific client needs, while Booky is dedicated to product improvement projects, enhancing its own product offerings.

Here at Booky, I’ve noticed that many of my colleagues come from Big 4 universities, or at the very least, are from the top 10. At first, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider, like I didn’t belong. However, having faced this kind of dilemma before, I’ve come to realize that it’s all in my mind—just a product of my overthinking.

But you know, Booky feels like an answered prayer. I truly believe it’s a blessing from God, and I know that He brought me here because He wants me to be here, where I will be guided and taken care of.

I was nervous during my first week, especially since I didn’t know anyone and found it challenging to socialize in a fully remote setup. Despite the difficulty, I’m grateful for the flexibility of working remotely, as it allows me to manage my time better. The UX team, however, made me feel incredibly welcome. I’m truly blessed to work with such a supportive group, and I feel safe and comfortable around them.

I was so excited to get my work email—it felt like a big milestone! It’s a bit funny, but I regret not mentioning earlier that my nickname is actually Kima, and I would have liked it to be included in my work email.

Overall, I’m incredibly thankful to God for guiding me to these two companies. I’m truly happy that the culture and people in both organizations are fun and a joy to work with.

Now, here at Booky, I’m thoroughly enjoying my experience and have no plans of leaving anytime soon.