Ep 53 - How to Become A UX Strategist with Zalyia Grillet

On this episode of #WorkingInTech, we're talking to Zalyia Grillet, a UX Conceptual Creative with over 11 years of experience transforming user experiences for Fortune 500 companies like Deloitte Digital, General Electric, and Salesforce. Recognized on platforms like Beyoncé’s site and People of Color in Tech, Zalyia has shaped her career at the intersection of ethnomusicology, UX, and behavioral science. As the founder of TechUnleashed, Zalyia leads a community of Black creatives in tech, combining her passions for music, fashion, and art with mentorship to uplift others. She consults with organizations like RVATech and Black Girls in Cyber to make tech more inclusive. Zalyia will share her journey as a UX visionary, her insights on building inclusive tech spaces, and advice for blending creativity with tech to make a real impact. 𝕏 CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIALS 𝕏 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juwonthetechie/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuwonTheTechie Threads: https://www.threads.net/@juwonthetechie IG: https://www.instagram.com/juwonthetechie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juwon-io/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juwonthetechie CONNECT WITH ZALYIA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zgrillet/ Website: http://zgrillet.co/ CHAPTERS 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Choosing UX 12:40 - Finding a Community 18:30 - Finding a Purpose 24:20 - The First Role 31:45 - Keys to Understanding UX 35:41 - Challenges of being in UX 41:35 - Salary Progression 47:50 - Getting in on the Ground Floor 51:15 - Career Progression 53:15 - AI & UX 54:45 - TechUnleashed 57:00 - Final Words 58:41 - Conclusion