How the Lyft UX Associate Program fosters emerging UX talent
Lyft’s UX Associate Program (formerly the Research Associate Program) is expanding in 2022. Here are some tips, tricks, and deadlines to keep in mind.
Updated (6/17/2022):
Applications are now live for the 2022–23 Lyft UX Associate Program (LUX-AP). Apply now through July 1, 2022:
Updated (6/13/2022):
A few important updates to the 2022–23 Lyft UX Associate Program (LUX-AP), which have been reflected in the original blog post from May 17th 2022:
- Due to changes in the market, unfortunately, we have had to limit this program for 2022. We look forward to welcoming two associates, one for UX Research, and one for Design Program Management. In 2023, we plan to re-expand the program, and cannot wait for Designers and Content Designers to apply then.
- The 2022–23 LUX-AP program dates are as follows:
Friday, June 17 — Applications open
Friday, July 1 — Applications close
July 2022 — Remote interviews for selected candidates
Tuesday, Sept 6 — Associates start (following Labor Day)
Friday, March 3 — Associate program ends
In 2021, Lyft launched the Research Associate Program. This immersive, hands-on program gave two early career UX Researchers a chance to learn, question, and kick off their research careers in earnest. After a successful first year, Lyft is bringing back the program– and it’s better than ever.
What’s changing in 2022:
- More Disciplines: In 2021, we had two associates, both focused on UX Research. In response to strong demand for more disciplines, we’re expanding to two associates this year across two disciplines: UX Research and Design Program Management.
- More Time: Previously, this paid program lasted four months. While this gave associates time to complete a few projects, we found ourselves wanting more time to work with our Associates on new methods, skills and partnerships. This year’s program will be six (6!) months, running from September 2022 to March 2023.
- New Name: With the expansion in roles, we’re changing the name. The program is now the Lyft UX Associate Program (LUX-AP for short).
What is LUX-AP?
Background
LUX-AP is a program specifically created to help those who have faced systemic barriers (be that economic, racial, ethnic, educational, or so forth) make their entrance into the UX field. By recruiting promising talent from all over the US (the program will run virtually for 2022), and from a wide diversity of backgrounds, we can continue towards our goal of making our products as inclusive as possible.
The Program
The virtual LUX-AP program is six months long, and will provide a strong baseline in each Associate’s chosen discipline. Associates will have an opportunity to lead multiple projects, and at the end, will have the opportunity to create a portfolio. The Associate program is paid and includes health, mental health, dental and vision benefits, time off, a 401(k) plan and sick leave.
The first two weeks will be a rapid immersion into your field and the program. There will be workshops to learn methods and tools, general onboarding to Lyft, and some pretty fun activities to get to know fellow associates and teammates.
From there, each Associate will join a team or pod (last year, our Associates joined Lyft’s Rental team and the Pay, Identity and Integrity teams) and get started on a specific project. Top-notch coaching on methods, strategic approach, and generally succeeding in the field will be provided all along the way.
The bulk of the program will be spent on real-world projects. Associates will learn the ins and outs of a variety of methods relative to their discipline, learn how to collaborate with other roles, and how to deliver stellar work to their teams.
What Kind of Support is Provided in the Program?
Each associate will have a powerhouse team to ensure they succeed. This includes:
- Manager: This will be the key point of contact who will oversee all work, meet with Associates regularly, and help them work towards their personal and career goals
- Mentor: The mentor will assist with coaching of specific skills, be available for all sorts of questions, and will likely coach the Associate through one project.
- Buddies: Each Associate will be matched with two buddies, one in their same role (e.g. research), and one in another UX discipline. Buddies are available for broader tips and tricks, career advice, and may include Associates in their work.
- Skip Level: The manager’s manager — this person will meet with the Associate monthly for higher level career development advice.
- Teammates: For many, what makes Lyft a great place to be is the stellar teammates that work here. Associates will have ample opportunity to learn from all of the brilliant teammates at Lyft, be it through meetings, courses, or joining in on activities like Whiskey Wednesday.
In addition to world-class coaching, Associates will have a variety of educational opportunities to grow their skills. If you want to learn more about maximizing time in the program, check out this article by one of last year’s Associates, Jade!
Ready to apply?
We can’t wait to hear from you! Be aware that LUX-AP is a competitive program (last year, we had about 600 applicants for 2 positions!). To help set you up for success, here are some tips on the application process.
LUX-AP entails a 3 part application process:
- Application: Written application, opening June 17, 2022. Each role will have its own application. While we strongly encourage you to only apply to the program you are most interested in; you are permitted to apply for either position.
- Phone Screen: Selected applications will be given a phone screen with one member of the Lyft team in the associated role.
- “On-Site”: Two to three 1:1 interviews with Lyft team members, including one in which applicants will work through a sample problem (think of this as a thought exercise) together with the team member. Because Lyft is now a Flexible-First workplace, these interviews will happen virtually.
Each role will have their own application process. While it’s possible to apply for both roles, we encourage you to pick the one that is most aligned with the role you eventually want to have. For those just getting started, here’s a brief description of each role:
- UX Research Associates will spend time working directly with users to uncover insights about their needs and behaviors.
- Design Program Management Associates will work with design teams to create ways of working and programs that allow design to function at its best.
A Quick Guide to Standing Out
This program is explicitly designed to help those without significant formal experience or training in the UX field enter it. So, what are we looking for? Let’s break this into two categories. First, we’ll talk about clear program requirements (these are things you either do or don’t have, and there shouldn’t be much gray area). Then, we’ll move onto the more interesting, gray bits!
Program Requirements:
Associates do have:
- A minimum of two (2) years of full time professional working experience. (i.e. if your highest level of education was an Associate’s degree, you have had two or more years or professional experience after you received your Associate’s). There is no requirement for advanced degrees; anyone with a High School diploma or more is invited to apply!
- Demonstrated interest in working in the role. This may include education like a bootcamp, or self-taught means with web or print resources.
- Familiarity with at least one skill in the role you’re applying for (e.g. one research method, one program management tool).
Associates should not have:
- Formal education (e.g. undergraduate, Masters, PhD) in the field, or a directly related field (e.g. HCI) to the role for which they are applying. (Bootcamp or UX certificate completion is totally fine, however).
- Previous professional experience in the role for which they are applying
- Side Note: If you have either of these, we’d still love to have you apply at Lyft. Check out all our open roles here.
The Gray:
- Strong interest in your desired field: Strong applicants will have a clear sense of what UX role they want to pursue, and have made clear strides to get there. They know what they are working towards, and why they want to get there. They have already demonstrated interest in breaking into the role through things like mentorship, formal (e.g. bootcamps) or informal (e.g. articles, YouTube) education, or learning to transition skills from one field to another.
- An understanding of how your background will set you up for success in the role: Diversity is our greatest strength–regardless if your background is customer service, library science, retail, or baseball, you have a strong sense of how skills gained will help you be more successful in your first UX role, and bring more value to those you work for (Lyft users!) and with (coworkers).
- Excellent communication skills: There are many ways to communicate successfully with your partners and peers– a clear understanding of how you best communicate, and how you can leverage that into top-notch UX work, will help you shine.
- Openness and ability to act on feedback: Learning a new skill, especially a new career, is difficult. At Lyft, you’ll have a team dedicated to your success. This will involve feedback, both positive and negative. An ability to give, receive, and act on feedback will be imperative to your growth and success. Proactively asking for feedback will serve you particularly well.
- Ability to persevere and trust the process: Maintaining high self awareness, understanding where you want to go, and trusting the process to get there can be tough. But, we promise, it’s rewarding. Think about ways you’ve thrived in challenging, ambiguous situations.
- Empathy: Understanding our users deeply–their needs, point points, and past experiences– is the only way we can build accessible, reliable products for them. How do you use empathy in your current role, and how does it set you up for success?
Throughout the application process, think about ways to highlight these skills. This may involve sharing a story or example that demonstrates your skill in these areas, or sharing how you’re working on developing these skills.
Ready to join us here at Lyft? Mark your calendars for early June, and follow the Lyft Design Blog for updates! Want a little extra security? Fill out this interest form, and we’ll send you an email before applications open up.
We can’t wait to welcome you to UX at Lyft!
Thank you to fellow LUX-AP leads Misha Cornes, Alison Marlin, Amy Lipner, Karuna Harishanker, and Carl Nelson for helping bring this article to life.
