Today’s linguistics job interview is with Abby Bajuniemi. Abby has moved from an academic position as a professor of Spanish and Linguistics to a user experience (UX) researcher. Abby is on Twitter, and uses Medium to blog. You might find her post “Applied linguists are the UXers of Linguistics” relevant to this interview! I also learnt that “Lusophone” refers to the Portuguese language (Lusitania being the Classical Latin for Portugal, Portugal being the modern term, basically the Kingdom attached to the city of Oporto around the 15th century).
What did you study at university?
My PhD is officially in Hispanic and Lusophone Literatures, Cultures, and Linguistics, but I focused on Language Acquisition and Sociolinguistics. My area of study was in Spanish specifically, but I did do a lot of work with literature in the ESL and English linguistics space.
What is your job?
My day-to-day can vary quite a bit, but in general, I perform user research and work with fellow designers on web/app interface design. In user research, I do a lot of things I have done in linguistics research, from card sorts (where you get people to sort things into categories that make sense to them, used in semantics research) to ethnographies. I describe how systems are used to people who want to build software and digital solutions and make recommendations for that solution that will be easy for users to use as well as delightful to look at. If the business wants to do something with the software that won’t resonate with users, I am the users’ voice in advocating for the design that will be most effective for them while still meeting business needs.
My path to my current job is a bit winding. I was a VAP (Visiting Assistant Professor) at a Selective Liberal Arts College on a non-tenure track appointment, and I learned that there may not be possibility for renewal. I did a lot of research to find a non-academic career that would seem to be a good fit for the skills I developed in grad school. I made huge efforts to network and meet people in UX, which eventually paid off in a first job as a CX (customer experience) Insights Analyst, and from there, continuing to network, I made my way into my current role. I’m happy to talk to other linguists about how my career pivot!
How does your linguistics training help you in your job?
Gosh, how DOESN’T it help me? I use my research skills all the time, from user interviews, questionnaire and survey design, quantitative/qualitative data analysis, problem solving skills, you name it. I also use my knowledge of language acquisition and sociolinguistics in projects that involve localization, learning new systems, and system design to match the user’s mental representation of what the system should look like and do. I rely heavily on my training in cognitive science every day.
I’ve also used my Spanish skills to conduct user research internationally and do some side work as a translator.
Do you have any advice do you wish someone had given to you about linguistics/careers/university?
YES! Linguistics is useful in so many non-academic industries. Content Strategy, User Experience Research, Copyediting, Technical Writing, you name it. We have tons of options to do cool things outside of academia. Make connections with professionals in any of these industries and explore what’s out there. If you’re dead set on an academic career, know that if it doesn’t pan out for whatever reason, there is interesting, exciting, and fulfilling work out there for you. If academia isn’t for you, you’re only limited by your imagination!
Also, networking is so, so important. It’s intimidating and can feel icky, but it’s a necessary thing to learn to do.
Any other thoughts or comments?
As for additional thoughts: there are lots of us outside of academia. Look around and find us! :)
