Kamala Payyapilly Thiruvenkatanathan

What does being part of ADPList mean to you? For me, being a part of ADPList fulfills my deep desire to meaningfully give back to the community. Because I strive to be empathetic and approachable, most of my mentorship sessions evolve into authentic, friendly conversations where we can openly share our experiences and build genuine connections. It is incredibly rewarding to build these meaningful relationships and see mentees eager to stay connected and keep the conversation going!

What made you start mentoring? Transitioning from academia to industry is a significant leap. Connecting with industry-transitioned researchers early in my Ph.D. journey provided the essential roadmap I needed to confidently make that leap. Now, I mentor because I want to share my knowledge and provide actionable, empathetic support for those seeking to transition into UX research, ensuring they have the mentorship I once relied on.

What's one piece of advice you give almost every mentee? My advice to mentees is almost always centered on three pillars: Storytelling, to help mentees find their niche, to uniquely position themselves; Building Connections, to foster authentic rather than transactional relationships when expanding their professional network, and (3) Finding Balance, to constantly learn and stay current in the field, while prioritizing self-care and giving themselves grace in this incredibly tough job market.