Project

PathwayPro

During my junior year of college, a software engineering course prompted teams to brainstorm and develop innovative solutions. Our concept, PathwayPro, evolved from a classroom project into an academic planning tool to bridge the gap between academic curriculum and career planning for college students. The project was recognized as a finalist in a business pitch contest, securing $2.5k in funding. I'm excited to present the journey of designing PathwayPro, including the challenges I faced, the insights I gained, and the envisioned impact.

Jump to Final Design.
Background

Prompt

Challenge

Process

Research

Affinity Mapping

Info

Role

UX Designer in collaboration with software engineers

Design Timeline

3 weeks

Project Type

Concept to Development & Pitch

My journey with PathwayPro began with the frustrations I heard from fellow students. It was designed to integrate course planning with career development, providing a clear view to help students make informed decisions and achieve their aspirations. Here are key statistics I found that reflect the concerns which prompted me to brainstorm solutions:

College students struggle to make informed course selections that align with their career goals, leading to stress and inefficiency in academic planning.

How might we help students align their course choices with future career goals?

I tailored each phase of the design process to address specific aspects of the problem, from understanding user needs to refining the solution based on feedback.

User Interviews

To design a tool that truly bridges the gap between academic planning and career aspirations, it was essential first to understand students' experiences and frustrations. This meant starting with their stories.

I interviewed 20 university students across different majors and class years to capture diverse perspectives. Through these conversations, several key challenges emerged:

By organizing the user interview insights into an affinity map, I uncovered key patterns and themes that directly informed the design direction.

Actionable Insights

Reducing Stress with a Clear Academic Roadmap

Many students reported feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about their academic journey and career paths, contributing to stress and anxiety.

I designed the dashboard to provide a clear snapshot of the user’s academic roadmap and personalized pathway to help them feel more confident in their direction. The Skills Spotlight feature also empowers users to stay motivated on their journey to completion.

Product Structure

I broadly mapped out the app’s product structure based on insights from the Research phase. The Dashboard offers a snapshot of users’ academic progress. The Courses page allows students to manage both current and completed courses. The Skills Spotlight tool recommends relevant skills to boost career readiness and suggests potential career paths. Users can also access the Inbox for important notifications and updates from instructors.

Design

Onboarding & Sign-In

The onboarding screens were designed to create a welcoming experience for students. It avoids unnecessary clutter and guides users to the next step.

A personalized greeting creates a sense of connection, making students feel valued. The simple sign-in form is efficient and streamlines the process.

Dashboard & Courses

I designed the dashboard to provide a quick overview of the user's academic progress and key metrics regarding skill development. Essential information such as credits completed, in-progress courses, and skills gained, is prominently displayed for ease of use.

The Courses screen provides a comprehensive overview of the user's enrolled courses. Course names, codes, and related skills are laid out concisely. A search feature allows students to find current courses or explore new ones quickly.

Inbox & Skills Spotlight

An inbox page was designed so students have a seamless and efficient messaging experience. There are clear visual cues, and an easy-to-follow layout aids students in connecting more with their advisors.

The Skills Spotlight feature gives students a clear menu in which they can explore their in-progress and recommended skills, along with their unique Skills Profile.