Beyond the Screen: How Women Can Shape the Future of UX and Tech
My journey in the tech world began in 2008, not with pixels and wireframes, but with the broader strokes of marketing. From there, I transitioned into digital strategy, then dived deep into design thinking and facilitation, before finding my true calling in User Experience (UX) and, ultimately, Service Design. Along the way, I embraced entrepreneurship, taking calculated risks to gain invaluable business acumen and a profound understanding of processes and the wider world. Today, as a Service Design Manager in a global UX team at Equinix, I am trying to apply knowledge and insights from my whole journey of leading and consulting for over 70 diverse teams across various industries. This variety of experiences has built my belief that certain innate strengths, coupled with strategic skill development, can be particularly powerful for women forging careers in IT, especially within the user experience domain.
The Unsung Strengths: Empathy and Connecting the Dots
In the fast-paced world of technology, human-centered design is paramount. This is where empathy, a trait often naturally more pronounced in women according to Gallup test results and my own 15+ years of managerial experience, becomes a superpower. This natural predisposition for understanding others’ feelings and perspectives seamlessly aligns with the core tenets of UX research. It’s about more than just collecting data; it’s about reading the data and extracting profound insights into user needs and behaviors.
I call this "connecting the dots" – synthesizing general knowledge about the world, society, and human habits with domain-specific expertise and, crucially, a deep understanding of the user or client for whom we are building solutions. This ability to bridge diverse knowledge areas is invaluable in fields like UX Research, Data Science, and Analytics. It allows us to move beyond superficial observations and uncover the deeper motivations and pain points that truly drive user interactions.
The Entrepreneurial Edge: Gaining Business Understanding
My career trajectory, punctuated by founding and holding stakes in four companies, including two impact-driven startups (Rebread in foodtech and Sell a Service in e-waste), has unequivocally shown me the immense value of entrepreneurial knowledge. Engaging in associations, student initiatives, pilot projects, and even volunteer work, or taking the plunge to create your own startup, offers a unique opportunity to gain invaluable business competencies.
These experiences teach you not just how to manage processes, but also how to understand the intricacies of market demands, operational challenges, and strategic decision-making. In the UX world, a deep understanding of business expectations and the broader ecosystem in which solutions operate is not just beneficial, it's critical. It allows you to design not just aesthetically pleasing or user-friendly interfaces, but solutions that genuinely contribute to business success and stakeholder satisfaction.
Mastering Communication: Presenting with Purpose
The ability to present effectively, engage in public speaking, and adapt your language to your audience is a cornerstone of success in any IT role, especially in UX. It's about more than just delivering information; it's about influencing, persuading, and building consensus. This is where the synergy of empathy, entrepreneurial insight, and data literacy truly shines.
Empathetic understanding allows you to tailor your message to resonate with your listeners, addressing their specific concerns and speaking to their motivations. Business acumen provides the context and arguments necessary to present solutions that align with strategic objectives. And working with data equips you with the concrete evidence to support your claims and articulate the tangible impact of your work. My own experience in navigating diverse stakeholders and presenting complex ideas has taught me the importance of clear, concise, and compelling communication, always backed by robust arguments.
Embracing Diversity and Continuous Learning
One of the most enriching aspects of my career has been the deliberate pursuit of diversity – in projects, industries, and even cultural contexts. Stepping into unfamiliar domains, whether it's foodtech or e-waste, forces you to look for patterns, identify unique characteristics, and develop a keen ability to differentiate and compare (comparative analysis). This intellectual curiosity and willingness to venture beyond your comfort zone are vital for innovation. It's about extracting key insights and understanding how different approaches and solutions might translate across varied landscapes.
Moreover, a constant curiosity about and experimentation with new technologies and tools are essential. However, the key lies not in blindly adopting every new trend, but in discerning what truly becomes a habit or a lasting trend versus a fleeting novelty. Since 2012, I've relied on Gartner's Hype Cycle, observing how technology adoption and tools evolve and what truly falls by the wayside. This discerning approach ensures you invest your time and energy in technologies that offer genuine, long-term value.
The Art of Human Connection and Process Mastery
Beyond technical skills, the ability to effectively communicate with people from diverse cultures, nationalities, and organizational levels is paramount. Stakeholder management is a critical competency in IT, and it thrives on understanding different perspectives and building strong relationships. My journey has underscored the importance of nuanced conversations, active listening, and tailoring your approach to individual needs and cultural contexts.
Finally, a deep understanding of transformation processes and change management is non-negotiable. We don't design services and products in a vacuum. To truly succeed, you must grasp the entire ecosystem and the processes surrounding your solutions. This is precisely why the direction of Service Design and a strong grasp of process knowledge and change management are so crucial. It’s about designing not just a touchpoint, but an entire journey that anticipates and navigates change, ensuring a seamless and impactful experience for all.
By leveraging these strengths and continuously cultivating these skills, women in IT, and particularly in UX, can not only excel but also profoundly shape the future of technology, creating solutions that are not just functional, but truly empathetic, impactful, and transformative.
About the Author
Katarzyna Młynarczyk is an Accredited Service Design Master with an MBA in Service Innovation and Design from Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki. With Strong Women and IT, Top Women Leaders in Agrifood and among Women Leaders by EIT titles. Co-founder of Service Design Network Chapter in Poland. With over 15 years of experience in UX, Digitalization, Strategy, and Service Design since 2012, she currently manages a global team at Equinix as a Service Design Manager. A serial entrepreneur, Katarzyna is also the founder and shareholder of four companies, including two impact-driven startups: Rebread (foodtech) and Sell a Service (e-waste).
