Katie Ramp
Class of 2011
IEOR B.S.
User Experience Designer, Qualcomm
What are you currently working on?
At Qualcomm, I’m the lead interaction designer for an internal, enterprise software product. I conduct user research with our software developers to understand their needs and redesign the UI to improve their overall experience with the tool. I’m also helping our marketing team design this year’s trade show demos to highlight Qualcomm’s innovation in 5G wireless communications.
What was the most important thing you learned while studying at Cal?
Statistics! I use my quantitative skills all the time to analyze usage data, which can help identify areas in which people are struggling to complete tasks or working around the tool.
Do you have any advice for current IEOR students?
As IEOR students, we have a passion for efficiency, which can be applied in any number of roles and industries. Consider design — to me, it’s one way of helping people do something as efficiently (and enjoyably) as possible. Also, once you enter the work force, be sure to set aside time away from your day job for fun side projects to keep learning new things! I’ve recently started making my own beer.
