Synk
From my experience, empowering Chinese International Students who are new to networking to get started and lead their development through the whole process.
Project Background
Duration 2023.5-2023.11
My Role UX Researcher and Designer
Problem
Building meaningful networking is challenging among Chinese international students
Although I have established over 500 connections on LinkedIn, I have found that very few have the conversation initiated.
In fact, I have never spent even one minute engaging in conversations with most of the connections.
In the past, I expected that the more connections I made, the more opportunities they bring. However, the excessive amount has prevented me from devoting enough energy to convert them into enriching and meaningful networks.
While chatting with my Chinese friends, I found such problems commonly exist. Growing up in an environment where professional networking was never formally taught and trained, they not only do not know how to network, but also are daunted, not due to a specific cultural difference, but the fear of rejection, helplessness in a new environment, and limited networking experience.
Therefore, I raised the problem
HMW Help Chinese International Students to achieve meaningful networking?
Research and Findings
Based on my and my friend's experience, I came up with the research questions below:
To explore these questions, and see how current solutions might have solved the problem, I conducted competitive analyses and interviewed 5 Chinese international students.
1.Juniors/Beginners need guidance in networking for long-term relationships
Opportunity AreaAccording to the interview, students who are about to graduate or have graduated use networking platforms primarily for job seeking. After they found the jobs, their networking stopped.
However, college students who are in their third year or before want to establish long-term relationships for their future career development. The networking mechanisms targeting one-off networks do not help them to achieve their goals. Besides, newer to networking, they are less clear about their goals and the process, but these platforms do not offer enough guidance to them.
2.How do beginners network? What problems do they have? Does the current networking toolset help with these problems?
These college students in their earlier years are new to professional networking and have a unique set of problems to be solved. The following journey map depicts the typical steps and related problems networking beginners have.
Drawing from competitive analyses, I found that existing networking platforms focus on finding and inviting instead of helping define goals, prepare for networking, and maintain relationships. They require users to already have some understanding of the networking processes, norms, and “manner”.
Based on the insights, I reframed the question to be:
HMW help Chinese students who are new to networking to get started and build active and fruitful relationships?
Ideation & Validation
Derived from the updated scope, I ideated and storyboarded key design concepts to validate with both mentees, who are college students new to networking, and mentors, who are professionals willing to give their time to mentor students.
Based on the storyboard validation, I came up with the design principles below:
Design & Evaluation
Based on the storyboard testing, I wireframed based on the 7 key scenarios identified and conducted usability testing with 9 target users and cognitive walkthrough with 1 ux professional using the RITE (Rapid Iterative Testing and Evaluation) method with 9 participants.
Scenario 1: Find
Sara came across an interested mentor on the Discover interface. They had studied the same major at the same college and also worked at a company of Sara's interest.
Scenario 2: Reach Out
Sara decided to reach out and see if she could have a conversation with her.
Scenario 3: Invite
After the mentor replied, Sara engaged in a brief conversation with her. The mentor willingly agreed to meet online to answer more questions. Sara needs to confirm the agenda for the meeting.
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Scenario 4: Prepare
After finalizing the details of the meeting Sara begins to prepare for their first meeting, she starts with a few questions and some information about herself.
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More Function
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Final Solution
After the mentor replied, Sara engaged in a brief conversation with her. The mentor willingly agreed to meet online to answer more questions. Sara needs to confirm the agenda for the meeting.
Scenario 4: Prepare
After finalizing the details of the meeting Sara begins to prepare for their first meeting, she starts with a few questions and some information about herself.
More Function
Final Solution
“Easy way to define, start, prepare and keep in touch”
Motivation
“Start as a mentee, end up as a mentor”
“Start as a mentee, end up as a mentor”
People aren't born as mentors or mentees; it requires process.
In my interviews with mentors, I've discovered that their willingness to share experiences stems from a sense of inheritance. As beginners, they received help and now aim to pay it forward—a cycle of kindness. Mentors view networking as reciprocal; it's about exchanging experiences and stories, a well of inspiration and reflection.
Synk isn't just an short lesson to start; it's about continuity. Mentees receive guidance, continually grow, and eventually become mentors themselves, nurturing the next generation.
In my interviews with mentors, I've discovered that their willingness to share experiences stems from a sense of inheritance. As beginners, they received help and now aim to pay it forward—a cycle of kindness. Mentors view networking as reciprocal; it's about exchanging experiences and stories, a well of inspiration and reflection.
Synk isn't just an short lesson to start; it's about continuity. Mentees receive guidance, continually grow, and eventually become mentors themselves, nurturing the next generation.
