When COVID-19 forced the world into isolation in 2020, ADPList emerged as a beacon for designers seeking connection and guidance. The platform's premise was simple yet powerful: connect aspiring designers with experienced mentors willing to volunteer their time. Many embraced this opportunity, both as mentors eager to give back and as mentees grateful for access to expertise during uncertain times.

User Experience (UX) has evolved from a niche discipline into a complex field with numerous specialized roles. According to the Nielsen Norman Group, the UX profession has expanded from just a handful of recognized roles in the early 2000s to more than 20 distinct specializations today. This evolution reflects how digital products have become more sophisticated and how organizations have recognized the value of specialized UX expertise.

I studied Political Science and Finance at Temple in Philly, which was totally wrong for me. Picked Finance to please my family, then switched to Political Science when the math became too much. Later found out my struggles were due to undiagnosed ADHD that I only discovered at 28.

In my fifth year, I started checking out tech meetups around the city. No bootcamps or major changes – just showing up to events from Meetup.com. While volunteering at Philly Tech Week, I met a woman who ran her own company. I helped at her events, and she eventually introduced me to my first post-college boss.