From research participant to user researcher: Rufai's story

How do you turn a great user research experience into a thriving UX career? We first met Rufai years ago as a participant. He recently reached out to share how his first encounter with user research led to a huge life change... and a job he absolutely loves.

"My journey with user research (UR) started after I left uni. I'd started an accounting degree but dropped out after COVID stopped me from completing a scholarship abroad. I was doing various jobs, trying to figure out what to do as a career and how to make money.

My search led to articles about paid focus groups and panels. I had heard of UX before and thought participating in research could be a good way to learn more about it. I signed up with People for Research and was selected for a BBC iPlayer study.

Getting the UR bug

The researcher showed me various iPlayer screen displays and asked what I’d prefer to see when a programme ends. I could tell he was studying my body language and adjusting his questions to my reactions, which (I later learned) is a skill you develop as a researcher.

I was impressed by the way he conducted the session and thought, “Wow, this seems so interesting. How is this a job?!”

He told me the career is called User Research or UX Research. I remember going home and reading all about it. I liked the sound of speaking to people, the psychological aspect, digging into problems and asking why. I began seriously considering it as a job.

Kicking off a career

Some people I was connected with on Twitter were in the UX design space. Through them, I came across a company called Love Circular, which offered a design and research course. They supported you with foundational skills, a portfolio, and preparation for a job.

The course was great! They taught us design tools like Figma and design principles, like Jakob's Law, which says people like to see what they know to be the norm. For example, screens in Apple apps usually close on the top left. So, if you design your app differently, you're creating unnecessary friction for the user.

Honing the craft

The course enabled me to access a graduate scheme internship at a consultancy firm.

Here, I built advanced interpersonal skills and encountered new concepts, like the “golden minute” - which is leaving space and being OK with awkward silences, so participants feel freer to say what they really think.

It reminded me of the BBC study, where at certain points I thought, “Why is the researcher not saying anything?!” Now I know what that was all about!

How you can become a user researcher

My advice is to put yourself out there! Connect with people on a similar path to you, or a few steps ahead. There are loads of online UX communities, and local meetups can be great. You can share experiences, peer support, and celebrate each other's successes.

Try to practice active listening, note-taking, and memory recall. This helps you connect something a participant said at the beginning of the session with a point they make later, notice patterns and record important insights as they happen.

What makes a good researcher?

You’ll enjoy collaborating with all kinds of people, from participants to designers and other stakeholders. Sometimes research can feel a bit siloed, so the more you involve other colleagues, the better you’ll understand others’ assumptions and ideas - and make your insights stronger.

Some people think that anyone can do research without training. I personally think you need the knowledge and experience to help participants engage effectively. Reducing bias is a skill. You should approach research like a good journalist: creating space for honest opinions without pushing your own agenda.

A full-circle moment

I reached out to PFR to thank them, as I’m so grateful for my experience as a participant. My interactions with PFR were all really positive, and I found the BBC research so inspiring. Ultimately, that one experience has led to a career I love! I tell people this story all the time!"

Time to start your own user research journey?