Everything I'm reading about IA seems to indicate that it's a whole bunch of skills all rolled into one strategy-focused-but-still-hands-on puzzle solver. Who also works with lots of different people. Glorious.
Now I have to figure out how to get there. As far as I can tell, you don't just jump from nonprofit communications specialist straight into IA. Looks like I'm going to need some kind of preparation, some way to wade in.
First steps:
- The "polar bear book" is in the mail.
- Just registered in the IAI mentoring program. (I've always wanted to be a protege!) Looks like there is one available mentor in Minneapolis. Hopefully that works out.
- Joined boxes and arrows.
- Reading a lot of articles.
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2 comments:
Check out Steve Krug's Don't Make Me Think of the 101 version. Also, Ginny Redish's Letting Go of the Words is an awesome read for web usability.
Other than that, read up as much as you can on usability. Maybe start doing some de facto usability testing at the Scouts for practice's sake (Steve Krug's Rocket Surgery Made Easy is a great 101 on usability testing).
If you want a fancy credential, check out Human Factors International's (HFI) Certified Usability Analyst. That would be a hell of a feather to put in your cap.
Great career choice!
Thanks for the great resources, Josh! I've heard a lot about Don't Make Me Think. It's about time I read it.
And I'll check out that HFI certification.
Really appreciate your always-helpful comments.
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