User Experience (UX) Internship

The Libraries' UX Internship is designed for students interested in user research, which may be defined as all aspects of user's interactions with the libraries, whether in library buildings or online. Interns learn to take responsibility for the entire research process from articulating good research questions, to deciding on methods, gathering and analyzing data, and presenting their results to library leadership.

UX is often closely associated with UI (user interfaces), but since the libraries' website is situated within the College's web domain, design options are limited. As a result, the internship covers broad user research fundamentals rather than web design, even though website usability is a focus.

In a required, weekly team meeting, interns learn and practice research methods including: web usability, card sorting, content audits/inventories, web analytics, interviews, focus groups, impression testing, talk-back boards, empathy mapping and journey mapping.

Read about current and past projects on the blog, AUX@Swarthmore.

Interested students should look for application announcements each Spring semester after Spring Break. Email Assessment + User Experience Librarian, Mary Huissen, at mhuisse1@swarthmore.edu with questions.

Nathanael Brown

Nathanael Brown ‘25 (he/him) is a Senior from Blanchard Twp., Maine. He is an Honors History major and Honors German Studies minor. Nathanael also enjoys fencing with Swarthmore’s club team, participating on the mock trial team, working in the theatre department, and (too) many other commitments to list here.

Anna Hansson

Anna Hansson ‘26 (she/her) is from Flemington, New Jersey and is pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics with an emphasis in Statistics. She is interested in combining her passions for art and technology to further explore UX design. In her free time she enjoys playing basketball, painting, and hiking

Harrisson Li

Harrisson Li (he/him) '26, is from Philadelphia, PA and a prospective math major. He wants to hone his skills as well as increase his marketing knowledge through exploring UX design. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, listening to music, and chilling with friends.

Ye Lin

Ye Lin (he/him) '27, is a sophomore from Philly, double majoring in Economics and Cognitive Science. He wants to build on blending his design and social skills by exploring UX. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball, cooking, and exploring new music.

Marisa Musenga

Marisa Musenga (she/her) '25 is from Rwanda, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Global Studies. She has worked in all three of Swarthmore's main libraries and has been a part of the Libraries' UX Team for three years.

Cynthia Zhang

Cynthia Zhang '27 (she/her) is a sophomore from Beijing studying Economics. She's passionate about applying behavioral insights to UX design and social tech. In her free time, she enjoys going on runs, listening to music, and trying new restaurants.