Welcome back to our “Day in the Life” series! Here, you'll get to know some of the amazing people who make up Sun Life's global Design practice. Get an inside look into his daily activities and what he enjoys most about working in design at Sun Life.

In this installment of the 'Day in the Life' series, we connected with Corey Sawkins. Corey is a Senior UX Researcher from British Columbia, Canada. Read on to find out what a typical day looks like!

What is your title, and how would you describe your role?

As a Senior UX Researcher, I work to understand how our users think and what they need from our products. I regularly talk to people who use our websites and apps like clients, financial advisors, and administrators. I use research methods like user testing and interviews to gain insights into how users navigate our sites and where they struggle. This feedback helps us see what is effective and where we could improve the user experience. I also share these findings with our design and development teams. It's rewarding to see how the changes we implement based on user research benefit real people. In addition to user testing, my role also involves information architecture reviews, competitor analyses, and developing research plans. My overall goal is to apply a user-centered approach to ensure we understand how people use our products to achieve the best results.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My days can vary quite a bit depending on the projects I'm currently working on. I usually focus on one to three major projects at any given time and my specific day-to-day tasks depend on the phase of the project process we're at. In the initial stages, I spend time planning user research studies and figuring out the best approach. When we start running studies, I help with user tests, interviews, and other research activities. Later on, I help analyze the results we find and put together presentations to share our findings. Throughout this entire process, I meet regularly with stakeholders to understand their goals for the project. Along with project work, coaching and mentoring is another aspect of my role. I often work with other people on the design team, like UX designers and writers, as well as coaching other research teams. So, no two days are the same for me!

What are some of the more enjoyable aspects of your role? What about the more challenging aspects?

I really love being able to analyze research data to find insights that can help improve our products and services. It's rewarding to feel like I'm contributing value to our customers and the overall business. I also enjoy mentoring and coaching the more junior members of the team. Coming from an academic background, I love passing on my knowledge and helping others develop their skills.

One thing I've found challenging at times is developing research plans and making sure we capture all the important assumptions stakeholders have. You really have to step back and look at the bigger picture to understand how users might interact with something we're building and whether our assumptions align with reality. It can be a process of challenging preconceived notions. I also think it's a challenge just staying focused on addressing the research goals and how findings could influence future design or implementation decisions.

But honestly, I enjoy these challenging aspects just as much as the more enjoyable aspects I mentioned. I like flexing my problem-solving muscles and don't mind diving into unfamiliar problems. If anything, those types of open-ended projects give me space to think creatively and look at issues from different angles.

How has remote work affected how you do your job?

I work remotely from BC while most of my clients and coworkers are in other parts of Canada, mainly Ontario and the Maritimes. Since we're all in different time zones, it can be tricky to coordinate sometimes. So, to make it work better even though we're not all in the same place, I try to be clear about when I'm available each day. I also have an open-door policy, where anyone can contact me if they need help with something. I do let folks know there may be a delay if I'm busy with another task at the moment, but I try my best to make myself available during my working hours. Setting expectations and boundaries has really helped manage working remotely when our teams are spread out across different time zones.

Balancing work and life as a remote worker is important. I make myself available during hours that work for both my team and me. But when the workday is done, I shut off my computer and disconnect from work completely. I go for a walk with my dog, spend time with my wife, or do other activities away from my desk. It's so important to properly separate work from the rest of your life. Being in BC also helps with that - I start early at 7am and usually wrap up by 3pm, leaving my whole afternoon and evening free. It allows me to get outside and enjoy life outside of work. Finding that balance is key to maintaining well-being as a remote employee.

Are there any personality traits or characteristics that could be considered assets in your role or field?

Some key personality traits that are an asset in my role include being analytical, detail-oriented, and creative.

As a researcher, it's important to be able to carefully analyze user data and synthesize it in a logical way to draw meaningful conclusions. I enjoy taking large amounts of information and making sense of ambiguous or complex issues. An analytical mindset serves me well in interpreting research findings. Maintaining objectivity and being open to where the data leads are just as important, even if it doesn't align with my initial hypotheses. Creativity is also invaluable when developing new methodologies or metrics. While analysis and logic are crucial, truly innovative solutions emerge by combining logical and creative thought.

Overall, effectively balancing analytical thinking with an open and imaginative approach allows me to gain deeper insights and solve problems in my role.

Finally, if you never had to work another day in your life, how would you keep yourself busy?

If I never had to work again, I'd probably spend my time immersed in learning through reading and writing, as well as exploring new skills in the kitchen. As someone with an academic background in philosophy, I would focus on furthering my knowledge and understanding of philosophical works through researching and writing on various topics and issues. I would also love to travel the world and experience nature through activities like hiking, cycling, and kayaking. Places like the Himalayan mountains call to me, specifically the Annapurna mountains and the Annapurna trek. Even looking towards my home in BC, you'd likely find me outdoors and soaking up all the scenic landscapes BC has to offer.