How Should I Prepare for Graduate School and a Career in HCI?

[Christina Brown]

Good morning everyone,

I want to apply to HCI graduate programs within the next 2 years but I feel like I don't have the right portfolio right now that will advance me into the field as well as win the hearts of the admissions committees. What type of side projects should I engage in? I'm in the process of developing Android/iOS apps as a side project. But I want to do something more challenging and innovative. Perhaps create a YouTube show that encompasses HCI and technology?

What kind of projects do you think novice HCI professionals should work on? My mind craves more! Thanks!

Christina Brown

[starmaker]

There are a lot of open source projects out there. There are also a lot of software developers who are absolutely awful at UI design. If the open source project has, or could really use, a GUI, chances are it could use the help of an HCI person.