Meet Alexander Lukacs, a current Digital Media Master's student at Drexel University who is charting a unique path in UX Research. Originally a mechanical engineering student, Alexander transferred to Drexel to pursue UX Design before discovering his true passion for research methodologies.
Finding a New Direction
Alexander's journey to the Digital Media Master's program followed an unexpected route. "Originally I was a mechanical engineering transfer student from a different school, and I came to Drexel to pursue UX Design in the undergrad program," he explains. During his undergraduate studies, his interests evolved, shifting focus from design to research.
"I ended up in the DIGM Masters program because I thought producing a piece of research for my thesis would greatly advance my skills as a UX Researcher," Alexander shares. "Being able to show off that I can apply the research skills I learned in classes to produce something novel is quite valuable."
Educational Highlights
While navigating the program, Alexander has been strategic in tailoring his coursework to focus on UX Research methodologies. His favorite course, User Research Methodologies, gave him the opportunity to put his skills into practice.
One particularly formative experience involved "putting together an evaluative research plan and executing it, then presenting on my findings to the class." This hands-on experience helped solidify his research capabilities and provided a platform to demonstrate his analytical skills.
Tools & Techniques
Alexander's technical toolkit includes a robust mix of research and design software:
- Figma and FigJam for collaborative design work
- Qualtrics for survey design and distribution
- SPSS for statistical analysis
- Zoom for remote research sessions
- Both qualitative and quantitative research methods
Currently, he's focusing his energy on his thesis proposal, where he'll have the opportunity to apply the full breadth of his research expertise.
Career Perspectives
Drexel's program has been instrumental in helping Alexander refine his career aspirations. "Drexel helped me discover UX Research, where I can apply analytical and logical thinking, but also move fast and not get bored," he reflects.
He particularly credits the co-op program as pivotal in his professional development: "The co-op program especially has helped me figure out what I want to do with my career." This real-world experience has reinforced his passion for UX Research and provided clarity on his professional trajectory.
Advice to Future Students
For students considering Drexel's Digital Media program, Alexander offers practical advice: "Don't be afraid to get approval to take classes outside of DIGM and Westphal - there are some cool classes out there that don't have technical pre-reqs, but can be applicable to your area of study."
This cross-disciplinary approach has helped Alexander build a unique skill set that bridges technical knowledge with research expertise.