Jan. 2009 – Apr. 2009
Program Manager
Microsoft Corporation, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Co-developed product pitches for a Chief Software Architect’s review
- Conducted a competitive analysis in the student space that focused features and product vision
- Brainstormed, co-developed and presented two new product ideas to investment committee
- Defined features, specifications and led development for products with tight development feedback
- Conducted and summarized findings from 16 user research sessions, ad hoc and onsite, to learn about targeted users and to validate new product ideas and hypothesis
- Regularly led brainstorm sessions with team members to generate new ideas around an observed technologies and user pain points
- Upheld position as a user advocate from idea conception to development
May. 2008 - Aug. 2008
Software UI Engineering
Elastra Corporation, San Francisco, California
- Designed two low-fidelity UI prototypes for LAMP stack configuration, commencing design discussions from users' perspectives
- Took initiative introducing and conducting informal usability studies with co-workers with prototypes to exercise a process of validating design decisions through users
- Composed a report analyzing results from usability studies and designs for Core Engineering manager and VP of Engineering
- Collaborated with Product Management to improve Elastra cloud server user experience
- Localized Django sign-up application and documented related server-side Apache and Pound changes
- Developed with Core team incremental UI functionality with ExtJS AJAX framework and JavaScript during two-week sprints; Fixed and resolved UI related bugs including browser specific bugs
Sep. 2007 - Dec. 2007
User Experience Analyst
Research In Motion, Waterloo, Ontario
- Acted as a user advocate within design and planning meetings with lead developers, project managers, directors, and vice presidents
- Coordinated and conducted usability sessions with internal and external participants for data
- Employed “think aloud” technique during usability studies to gather user feedback, and performed heuristic reviews of proposed system designs
- Reported results across teams on schedule to meet aggressive deadlines
- Verified external results that affected subsequent software iterations
- Constructed low-fidelity prototypes of design alternatives to software updates, and UI architectures of existing systems for integration
- Conducted competitive analysis of Smartphones on the market
Jan 2007 - April 2007
Associate Web Applications Developer/Web Analyst
BMO Financial Group, Toronto, Ontario
- Redesigned Mortgage Specialists locator, using AJAX, Adobe Spry, with content management backend leveraging Django for maintenance, within department limitations, saving +$150,000 in work months
- Prototyped a visual mapping solution for locating mortgage specialists using Google Maps, and expanded it for branch locations and branch service information
- Researched and prepared a high-level document for management, outlining the current mobile banking landscape, and what steps should be taken to its implementation in Canada
- Brainstormed, developed and prepared mock-ups for upcoming redesigns for BMO's public site and Online Banking sign-in, eliminated the dependence on JavaScript for navigation
- Co-maintain and update web content using Vignette CMS
Sept 2006 – Dec 2008
Senior Support Specialist
Housing Technology / University Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
- Co-administer the University Residence Network, analyzing static IP, DHCP leases, switches, ports and bandwidth limits for over 3000 students.
- Promptly and friendly support Residence Computer Consultants and student residences regarding Internet connections, and network hardware
- Provide information regarding University Internet Usage Policy, Firewalls, Anti-Viruses, Spyware, and Computer resources
May 2006 - August 2006
Quality Assurance Software Tester
Destinator Technologies, Richmond Hill, Ontario
- Constructed systematic regression test plans for execution by the Quality Assurance team
- Performed regular demonstrations of newly implemented product features for project managers
- Executed functional, regression, and exploratory tests of GPS software on Symbian, WM5, and Linux-based mobile devices
- Composed, revised, updated and closed over 500 bug reports
- Regularly collaborated and relayed updated information about current and critical issues and new features to Quality Assurance, Software Development, and Project Management
Sept 2005 - April 2006
Residence Computer Consultant
Housing Technology / University Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
- Provided friendly and comprehensive computer, technical and network support for 50-100 students in residence
- Troubleshot connection problems, cleared virus and spyware infections
June 2004 - August 2004
Graphics Designer
Galazio Creations, Toronto, Ontario
- Created mock-up and designed layouts, web and print designs for clients catering to their needs
- Designs letter heads, business cards and envelopes for company and project branding
- Produced a webpage of Food Industry statistics
- Researched and performed database entries of over 100 Toronto restaurants and night clubs
- Collaborated with other team members on marketing ideas, commercial skits and ways to improve exposure of a company's start-up project, Dine.TO