Take the 2-minute tour ×

How can I land an entry level job with a cognitive science major? I have taken an intro to java course and will take a modeling human performance course. I'd appreciate tips on other courses to take or material to learn.

share|improve this question
Any job? Any major? Answers might be more suitable (and definitely easier to provide) for your particular circumstance if you can narrow it down somewhat. –  Nick Stauner Jan 6 at 0:21
Learn about usability evaluation methods and tangible user interfaces. –  what Jan 7 at 13:04
add comment

1 Answer

Learn some graphics software. Photoshop is probably the most useful. Find a class on UX or UI design. I'd also recommend a web development class. You won't learn enough to be a developer, but you have some idea of the nuts and bolts of what makes a UI. (While not all UI/UX design is about the web, I'd wager most of it is, and understanding web technology is probably the more useful for you than something like Java.)

Phones and tablets are hot right now, so I'd recommend getting both a phone and a tablet if you don't have one. Less expensive android ones will do. Then really study how they work, their UI conventions, various apps, and most of all see how websites work on them. A very high percentage of new websites will be designed to work well on phones/tablets. You need to study this.

And join ux.stackexchange.com/, ask the same question there and get a feel for the field by seeing what question people ask there. You've got a lot to learn (I'm guessing) but a cog sci education will be a strong asset.

share|improve this answer
Do you really think this is necessary for a job in cognitive science? –  draks ... Jan 7 at 9:00
The claim isn't that these lessons are necessary, and they might be helpful...for some jobs in cogsci...not sure which @obelia has in mind though...? –  Nick Stauner Jan 7 at 10:56
User interface design jobs. That is the subject, isn't it? –  obelia Jan 7 at 17:05
add comment

Your Answer


