1. Is a master's degree worth pursuing

For me, 100% yes! Before I started my master's, I only had a short 6-month diploma in UX UI and no formal education in the field. My background is in Business Management, so I didn’t have a deep academic knowledge in design or HCI. Going into the MS in HCI program at DePaul helped me fill in those gaps and gave me so much more confidence in my skills. Even with four years of industry experience in design, I learned so much from the program, and it really helped me grow. If you feel like you’ve got more to learn and want to dive deeper into the field, I’d say go for it. It’s definitely worth it!

2. Why I chose DePaul

I chose DePaul because the MS in HCI program felt like a great mix of design and research courses. I was especially excited about the specialization courses like Accessibility or Designing in Start Up. The professors seemed super knowledgeable and had extensive industry plus teaching experience. I also looked into DePaul alumni and saw that many were doing well in the industry, which gave me confidence in the program. And honestly, the price was right. The fees were affordable for me, so that helped make my decision easier.

3. What I should have been mindful of or known

One thing I wish I knew before starting the program was how important it is to dive into on-campus job opportunities and research roles early. I didn’t really realize how much those could add to my experience until I actually started. Another thing I would have paid more attention to is the cost of living in Chicago, along with the weather and the safety of the city.

Additionally, DePaul offers scholarships, but I want to mention that for international students, the scholarship opportunities are limited. Most international students receive a standard scholarship of around $6,000 (about $1,000 per quarter). Honestly, I didn’t see many people getting larger scholarships, so don’t expect a massive reduction in fees from that route.

4. What I yearned for during the program

I wished I had worked on more hands-on, industry focused projects than hypotheical scenarios. It would have been awesome to work directly with companies or have more industry leaders come in and talk to us. I think that kind of experience would have added a lot to the learning. I also yearned for a bit more cultural diversity. While there were some different perspectives, I think more global experiences in the program would have made it even richer.

5. What I loved

What I loved the most were the professors they were always there to support me, whether I needed help with classwork or plan my degree. My international student advisor was amazing too; she really helped me navigate all the legal stuff. Social events organized by the university were really fun, it was a great way to take a break and meet new people.

Choosing to pursue an MS in HCI was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career and personal growth. The journey wasn’t without its challenges, but the knowledge, skills, and experiences I gained have been invaluable. In my next blog, I’ll be diving deeper into how I navigated on-campus jobs, internships, and other opportunities, which ultimately helped me land a full-time role.