What do you love about the UX field?

It’s full of surprises. UX research enables you to challenge assumptions, and experience the world through someone else’s eyes. At iRobot, I have the opportunity to help design robotic products that truly improve the quality of life for millions of people.

Our users can spend less time maintaining their homes, and devote more time to the people and activities they love.

What was the best part of the HFID
program for you?

I was able to work with a variety of companies — from small startups to established tech companies like Google and Math Works. My classmates and I tackled real business problems, operated under realistic constraints, and learned how to involve stakeholders in UX research and design. Coursework wasn’t theoretical, but highly practical.

What sets Bentley apart?

Your connection with Bentley — its faculty, students, and alumni — doesn’t end when you graduate. I regularly meet with former classmates and alumni to discuss our work, as well as solicit and share advice and recommendations. And with Bentley’s part-time master’s degree program, I could continue to work full-time, and apply what I was learning to my job.

How did your Bentley experience provide
value in your life and career?

The program provided me with a strong foundation in human factors and research methodology, which I’ve leveraged heavily in my work. Having this expertise affords you credibility when talking to stakeholders and new clients. More important, I feel confident in my skill set and research knowledge and, as a result, have pursued and been granted opportunities I might not have been otherwise. This degree is one of the best decisions of my life.

Vanessa Wiegel was producing educational content for PBS when a colleague enrolled in Bentley’s HFID program. Intrigued, she sat in on a course and was fascinated. Now, with an HFID degree herself, she heads the design research team at iRobot, where she does research to understand users and inform the company’s design philosophy.