Map-Based Internship Finder: Enhancing Student Discovery - Internshala UX Case study
Designing a User-Friendly Interface for Easy Internship Discovery by Location
Role: UX/UI Designer
Project Overview:
Internshala is an all-encompassing online platform designed to bridge the gap between students seeking valuable work experience and employers offering internships. With its user-friendly interface and extensive internship listings, Internshala simplifies the process of finding internships, enabling students to enhance their professional skills and kickstart their careers effortlessly.
About the product:
Internshala is a leading online platform dedicated to connecting students with internship opportunities across various industries. With a mission to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world, Internshala offers a wide range of internships, including virtual and location-based roles, to help students gain practical experience, develop essential skills, and enhance their employability. The platform also provides valuable resources such as training programs, career advice, and resume-building tools, making it a one-stop solution for students seeking to kickstart their careers.
Project Overview:
Internshala is an all-encompassing online platform designed to bridge the gap between students seeking valuable work experience and employers offering internships. With its user-friendly interface and extensive internship listings, Internshala simplifies the process of finding internships, enabling students to enhance their professional skills and kickstart their careers effortlessly.
About the product:
Internshala is a leading online platform dedicated to connecting students with internship opportunities across various industries. With a mission to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world, Internshala offers a wide range of internships, including virtual and location-based roles, to help students gain practical experience, develop essential skills, and enhance their employability. The platform also provides valuable resources such as training programs, career advice, and resume-building tools, making it a one-stop solution for students seeking to kickstart their careers.
Project Overview:
Internshala is an all-encompassing online platform designed to bridge the gap between students seeking valuable work experience and employers offering internships. With its user-friendly interface and extensive internship listings, Internshala simplifies the process of finding internships, enabling students to enhance their professional skills and kickstart their careers effortlessly.
About the product:
Internshala is a leading online platform dedicated to connecting students with internship opportunities across various industries. With a mission to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world, Internshala offers a wide range of internships, including virtual and location-based roles, to help students gain practical experience, develop essential skills, and enhance their employability. The platform also provides valuable resources such as training programs, career advice, and resume-building tools, making it a one-stop solution for students seeking to kickstart their careers.
Overview Audience Insights:
- Students: Recent under/post graduates seeking internships to gain practical experience.
- Career Seekers: Individuals who are looking to explore different career paths.
- Job Seekers: Internshala primarily focuses on internships but also caters to entry-level job seekers.
Overview Audience Insights:
- Students: Recent under/post graduates seeking internships to gain practical experience.
- Career Seekers: Individuals who are looking to explore different career paths.
- Job Seekers: Internshala primarily focuses on internships but also caters to entry-level job seekers.
Overview Audience Insights:
- Students: Recent under/post graduates seeking internships to gain practical experience.
- Career Seekers: Individuals who are looking to explore different career paths.
- Job Seekers: Internshala primarily focuses on internships but also caters to entry-level job seekers.
The Problem:
Design a mobile screen for an Android app that enables students to effortlessly discover nearby internship opportunities through an intuitive map view interface. The aim is to provide a seamless user experience, facilitating students in exploring and applying for internships based on their location preferences.
The Goal:
Give the user to search for the Internship/Job near their location via map view.
Empathise:
when it comes to Internshala and applying to Internships in general. For this, I read Quora posts, went through different Internship posting sites, read reviews on various forums and went through feedback posted on the Play Store.
Findings:
- The user can't find the company's location in the desired city for the application.
- Users are often left unsure of application status due to a lack of response.
- Users are frustrated by time-consuming search through applied applications.
- Internshala needs better categorisation for diverse types of applications.
- Users lack control to edit or undo applications, causing errors.
The Problem:
Design a mobile screen for an Android app that enables students to effortlessly discover nearby internship opportunities through an intuitive map view interface. The aim is to provide a seamless user experience, facilitating students in exploring and applying for internships based on their location preferences.
The Goal:
Give the user to search for the Internship/Job near their location via map view.
Empathise:
when it comes to Internshala and applying to Internships in general. For this, I read Quora posts, went through different Internship posting sites, read reviews on various forums and went through feedback posted on the Play Store.
Findings:
- The user can't find the company's location in the desired city for the application.
- Users are often left unsure of application status due to a lack of response.
- Users are frustrated by time-consuming search through applied applications.
- Internshala needs better categorisation for diverse types of applications.
- Users lack control to edit or undo applications, causing errors.
The Problem:
Design a mobile screen for an Android app that enables students to effortlessly discover nearby internship opportunities through an intuitive map view interface. The aim is to provide a seamless user experience, facilitating students in exploring and applying for internships based on their location preferences.
The Goal:
Give the user to search for the Internship/Job near their location via map view.
Empathise:
when it comes to Internshala and applying to Internships in general. For this, I read Quora posts, went through different Internship posting sites, read reviews on various forums and went through feedback posted on the Play Store.
Findings:
- The user can't find the company's location in the desired city for the application.
- Users are often left unsure of application status due to a lack of response.
- Users are frustrated by time-consuming search through applied applications.
- Internshala needs better categorisation for diverse types of applications.
- Users lack control to edit or undo applications, causing errors.
Competitor analysis:
LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed are the major competitors that leverage smart insights that allow applicants to understand if and how they are fit for a role.
- Limited Map-Based Functionality: Most competitors do not offer a robust map-based interface for visually exploring internships by location. This presents an opportunity to differentiate by providing a more intuitive, location-focused search experience.
- User Experience Gaps: Common pain points among competitors include cumbersome navigation, lack of application editing or withdrawal options, and limited post-submission communication with companies. Addressing these gaps could significantly enhance user satisfaction.
- Student-Centric Features: While some platforms cater to general job seekers, few are designed specifically with students' needs in mind, such as flexible work arrangements, credit-earning internships, or proximity to university campuses. Tailoring the app to these needs could attract a niche user base.
- Communication and Feedback: Competitors often lack timely communication and feedback features, leaving users uncertain about their application status. Implementing automated status updates and direct messaging capabilities could improve transparency and user engagement.
Competitor analysis:
LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed are the major competitors that leverage smart insights that allow applicants to understand if and how they are fit for a role.
- Limited Map-Based Functionality: Most competitors do not offer a robust map-based interface for visually exploring internships by location. This presents an opportunity to differentiate by providing a more intuitive, location-focused search experience.
- User Experience Gaps: Common pain points among competitors include cumbersome navigation, lack of application editing or withdrawal options, and limited post-submission communication with companies. Addressing these gaps could significantly enhance user satisfaction.
- Student-Centric Features: While some platforms cater to general job seekers, few are designed specifically with students' needs in mind, such as flexible work arrangements, credit-earning internships, or proximity to university campuses. Tailoring the app to these needs could attract a niche user base.
- Communication and Feedback: Competitors often lack timely communication and feedback features, leaving users uncertain about their application status. Implementing automated status updates and direct messaging capabilities could improve transparency and user engagement.
Competitor analysis:
LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed are the major competitors that leverage smart insights that allow applicants to understand if and how they are fit for a role.
- Limited Map-Based Functionality: Most competitors do not offer a robust map-based interface for visually exploring internships by location. This presents an opportunity to differentiate by providing a more intuitive, location-focused search experience.
- User Experience Gaps: Common pain points among competitors include cumbersome navigation, lack of application editing or withdrawal options, and limited post-submission communication with companies. Addressing these gaps could significantly enhance user satisfaction.
- Student-Centric Features: While some platforms cater to general job seekers, few are designed specifically with students' needs in mind, such as flexible work arrangements, credit-earning internships, or proximity to university campuses. Tailoring the app to these needs could attract a niche user base.
- Communication and Feedback: Competitors often lack timely communication and feedback features, leaving users uncertain about their application status. Implementing automated status updates and direct messaging capabilities could improve transparency and user engagement.
User Research (Reviews & Findings): User research highlights various challenges in job application processes: difficulty locating company addresses, uncertainty due to lack of response, frustration with application navigation, and a need for better categorization and editing capabilities. These insights emphasize the importance of improving user interfaces, communication, and control features to enhance the overall experience.
User Research (Reviews & Findings): User research highlights various challenges in job application processes: difficulty locating company addresses, uncertainty due to lack of response, frustration with application navigation, and a need for better categorization and editing capabilities. These insights emphasize the importance of improving user interfaces, communication, and control features to enhance the overall experience.
User Research (Reviews & Findings): User research highlights various challenges in job application processes: difficulty locating company addresses, uncertainty due to lack of response, frustration with application navigation, and a need for better categorization and editing capabilities. These insights emphasize the importance of improving user interfaces, communication, and control features to enhance the overall experience.
Pain Points:
- Paint Point 1: Uncertainty due to lack of response from companies.
- Pain Point 2: Frustration with application navigation
- Pain Point 3: Difficulty locating company addresses
- Pain Point 4: Inability to undo or edit applications post-submission.
Scenario:
Ananya Sharma is a third-year BBA student who is actively looking for a marketing internship through a mobile app. She wants to find nearby internships that match her career goals and have a straightforward application process. As she uses the app, Ananya encounters several challenges, including difficulty navigating the platform, finding accurate company locations, and managing her applications after submission.
User Expectations/Opportunities:
Ananya expects a seamless and efficient experience while searching and applying for internships. She is looking for a platform with a user-friendly interface that provides clear internship details, accurate location information, and timely communication from companies. Ananya also hopes for features that allow her to review, edit, or withdraw applications easily, ensuring she has control over her submissions.
Solution:
To address Ananya's pain points, the app can be improved with several key features. Enhancing the search and filter options, incorporating a map view with precise location markers, and providing a more intuitive navigation experience would make it easier for users to find relevant internships. Additionally, introducing functionalities like pre-submission review, post-submission editing, automated status updates, and direct messaging with companies would create a more user-centric experience, reducing frustration and uncertainty for students like Ananya.
Pain Points:
- Paint Point 1: Uncertainty due to lack of response from companies.
- Pain Point 2: Frustration with application navigation
- Pain Point 3: Difficulty locating company addresses
- Pain Point 4: Inability to undo or edit applications post-submission.
Scenario:
Ananya Sharma is a third-year BBA student who is actively looking for a marketing internship through a mobile app. She wants to find nearby internships that match her career goals and have a straightforward application process. As she uses the app, Ananya encounters several challenges, including difficulty navigating the platform, finding accurate company locations, and managing her applications after submission.
User Expectations/Opportunities:
Ananya expects a seamless and efficient experience while searching and applying for internships. She is looking for a platform with a user-friendly interface that provides clear internship details, accurate location information, and timely communication from companies. Ananya also hopes for features that allow her to review, edit, or withdraw applications easily, ensuring she has control over her submissions.
Solution:
To address Ananya's pain points, the app can be improved with several key features. Enhancing the search and filter options, incorporating a map view with precise location markers, and providing a more intuitive navigation experience would make it easier for users to find relevant internships. Additionally, introducing functionalities like pre-submission review, post-submission editing, automated status updates, and direct messaging with companies would create a more user-centric experience, reducing frustration and uncertainty for students like Ananya.
Pain Points:
- Paint Point 1: Uncertainty due to lack of response from companies.
- Pain Point 2: Frustration with application navigation
- Pain Point 3: Difficulty locating company addresses
- Pain Point 4: Inability to undo or edit applications post-submission.
Scenario:
Ananya Sharma is a third-year BBA student who is actively looking for a marketing internship through a mobile app. She wants to find nearby internships that match her career goals and have a straightforward application process. As she uses the app, Ananya encounters several challenges, including difficulty navigating the platform, finding accurate company locations, and managing her applications after submission.
User Expectations/Opportunities:
Ananya expects a seamless and efficient experience while searching and applying for internships. She is looking for a platform with a user-friendly interface that provides clear internship details, accurate location information, and timely communication from companies. Ananya also hopes for features that allow her to review, edit, or withdraw applications easily, ensuring she has control over her submissions.
Solution:
To address Ananya's pain points, the app can be improved with several key features. Enhancing the search and filter options, incorporating a map view with precise location markers, and providing a more intuitive navigation experience would make it easier for users to find relevant internships. Additionally, introducing functionalities like pre-submission review, post-submission editing, automated status updates, and direct messaging with companies would create a more user-centric experience, reducing frustration and uncertainty for students like Ananya.
Paper Wireframes:
To get an initial idea of what the screens and flow can possibly look like.
Paper Wireframes:
To get an initial idea of what the screens and flow can possibly look like.
Paper Wireframes:
To get an initial idea of what the screens and flow can possibly look like.
Lo-fi:
Based on the research conducted at the UX stage, We started developing wireframes. It was important to conveniently arrange the elements on the screens and provide an intuitive structure of the application.
Lo-fi:
Based on the research conducted at the UX stage, We started developing wireframes. It was important to conveniently arrange the elements on the screens and provide an intuitive structure of the application.
Lo-fi:
Based on the research conducted at the UX stage, We started developing wireframes. It was important to conveniently arrange the elements on the screens and provide an intuitive structure of the application.
Hi-fi:
Hi-fi:
Hi-fi:
Testing:
I then proceeded to test my design. To assess the usability of my design, i utilised the “SUS (System Usability Scale)”. I gave the user a task to complete before asking them to score the design on the “SUS”. https://maze.co was the instrument i used to carry out the test.
Testing:
I then proceeded to test my design. To assess the usability of my design, i utilised the “SUS (System Usability Scale)”. I gave the user a task to complete before asking them to score the design on the “SUS”. https://maze.co was the instrument i used to carry out the test.
Testing:
I then proceeded to test my design. To assess the usability of my design, i utilised the “SUS (System Usability Scale)”. I gave the user a task to complete before asking them to score the design on the “SUS”. https://maze.co was the instrument i used to carry out the test.
Takeaways:
What I Learned: This UI/UX design assignment was both challenging and rewarding. I delved into the complexities of internship-hunting and the associated emotions. Conceptualising a map-oriented internship discovery feature was a unique challenge, requiring creativity and leveraging my understanding of map interactions. This exploration led to insights like best match and response rates. I gained valuable knowledge about data, technology, and user interaction.
The Impact: In design, there's always room to evolve. With more time, I'd push boundaries in information architecture and visuals, adding micro-interactions for enhanced engagement. This experience has fueled my passion for user-centred design, and I'm eager to apply these insights.
Takeaways:
What I Learned: This UI/UX design assignment was both challenging and rewarding. I delved into the complexities of internship-hunting and the associated emotions. Conceptualising a map-oriented internship discovery feature was a unique challenge, requiring creativity and leveraging my understanding of map interactions. This exploration led to insights like best match and response rates. I gained valuable knowledge about data, technology, and user interaction.
The Impact: In design, there's always room to evolve. With more time, I'd push boundaries in information architecture and visuals, adding micro-interactions for enhanced engagement. This experience has fueled my passion for user-centred design, and I'm eager to apply these insights.
Takeaways:
What I Learned: This UI/UX design assignment was both challenging and rewarding. I delved into the complexities of internship-hunting and the associated emotions. Conceptualising a map-oriented internship discovery feature was a unique challenge, requiring creativity and leveraging my understanding of map interactions. This exploration led to insights like best match and response rates. I gained valuable knowledge about data, technology, and user interaction.
The Impact: In design, there's always room to evolve. With more time, I'd push boundaries in information architecture and visuals, adding micro-interactions for enhanced engagement. This experience has fueled my passion for user-centred design, and I'm eager to apply these insights.