We were lucky to catch up with Abby Gao recently and have shared our conversation below.

Abby , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career.

Reflecting on my own experiences, I can’t help but see the value of a personalized learning approach, particularly during my graduate studies at UC Berkeley. The opportunity to select electives across various disciplines was a game-changer for me. It allowed me to explore a range of subjects that I found intriguing, far beyond the confines of my primary field of study. This exploration was not just academic; it was a journey of self-discovery. Through these courses, I was able to pinpoint not only what captivated me but also what failed to spark my interest. The freedom to choose enabled me to tailor my education to my curiosity and aspirations, leading to a deeper, more personal connection to my studies.

Moreover, the diverse selection of electives did more than just broaden my academic horizons; it expanded my social circle. I met many friends in these classes, each with different backgrounds, majors, and perspectives. These friendships enriched my educational experience, providing me with insights and viewpoints I would not have encountered otherwise. The diversity of thought and camaraderie in these elective courses fostered a vibrant learning environment that was as socially enriching as it was intellectually stimulating.

The concept of personalized learning experiences holds immense potential to revolutionize the educational landscape, making it more inclusive, engaging, and effective for students. The benefits I reaped from this personalized aspect of my education highlight the profound impact such an approach can have on a student’s academic and personal development. It underscores the importance of an education system that not only recognizes but also caters to the diverse interests and abilities of its students. By doing so, the education system would not only prepare students for their future careers but also a life of continuous learning and personal growth.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a multidisciplinary designer working in design consulting with a focus on UX/UI Product Design, AR/VR, and SaaS products, and a design mentor helping college-level students prepare for their graduate studies or first jobs.

Back in high school, my favorite subject was math. Specifically, the rigorous process of learning mathematical proofs was transformative, teaching me the essence of systematic thinking and effective analysis. Later, my architecture training in college provided me with the foundational experience honing my understanding of how people interact with their environments, a perspective I carried forward into my career.

Working in design consulting, I found my interests and learnings were bound together, providing me with opportunities to apply my problem-solving skills with the design thinking process—conceptualize, design, iterate, and implement—to digital products and services, create business impacts for my clients with the approach of design. The design process is what I truly enjoyed.

In the meantime, as I climbed up the ladder as an international student, I realized that the support and mentorship I received along the way was critical to bringing me where I am today. I wouldn’t have gone this far without every mentor who guided me through it. As I move forward, I want to bring such a positive impact on aspiring designers, inspiring them to explore the career path that works for them.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During my college and graduate studies, I was deeply passionate about embarking on a career in architecture. Yet, as I delved deeper into the architecture industry through internships, I began to perceive a dissonance between my love for problem-solving and the actual practice of architecture. It was a gradual awakening to the fact that much of architecture, as practiced in the professional realm, involved navigating a labyrinth of regulations, managing client expectations, and often, compromising on innovative designs for practicality or budgetary constraints. While these are undoubtedly important aspects of the profession, I found myself yearning for a role that allowed me to apply my problem-solving skills in more diverse and dynamic ways, beyond the confines of traditional architectural projects.

My pivot began with a chance encounter at a design thinking elective during my graduate study, which I attended out of sheer curiosity. It introduced me to the world of design consulting—a field where the principles of design are applied to a broader range of problems. I was fascinated by the prospect of using design not just to create physical structures but to strategize and solve complex challenges across various industries. Emboldened by this revelation, I started to transition towards design consulting. This journey involved acquiring new skills, such as user experience design, business strategy, and networking. Each step was a building block toward a new career path that aligned more closely with my problem-solving passion. The pivot from architecture to design consulting was not just a career change; it was a transformation that allowed me to align my professional endeavors with my core strengths and interests.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The particular goal or mission driving my creative journey is that I want to make an impact through what I do. The essence of this mission is not just about producing work that is visually compelling or technically impressive; it’s about crafting experiences, messages, and solutions that resonate deeply with individuals and societies, fostering understanding, inspiring action, and contributing to meaningful change.

This driving goal acknowledges that creativity is not an end in itself but a means to an end—a tool to address societal challenges, provoke thought, and illuminate possibilities. Whether it’s through designing more sustainable ways of living, using art to highlight social injustices, or creating technology that solves critical issues, the aim is to leverage one’s unique skills and vision to contribute positively to the world.

By embracing this mission, I envision a world that prioritizes compassion, sustainability, and equity. My creative journey becomes a testament to the belief that creativity is a potent form of activism, capable of moving hearts, changing minds, and shaping the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.abbygaoy.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbygaoy/

Image Credits
Team WEMap: Yuquan Zhou, Virginia Wong Outfit Club: Yifeng Wang