Hi, I'm John
I'm a Cornell math PhD with extensive teaching experience, generalist tendencies, and a passion for making things work better.
I'm looking for a job in the user research and product design space.
Scroll down to learn more:
I'm a Cornell math PhD with extensive teaching experience, generalist tendencies, and a passion for making things work better.
I'm looking for a job in the user research and product design space.
Scroll down to learn more:
I've built libraries of functions in Sage to generate data for my research on polynomial invariants, computed a cancellation-free antipode formula for the Hopf monoid of partial orders, and proved combinatorial reciprocity results.
The best design solutions are simple, but the problems aren't. I bring superior analytical skills and a talent for high-level abstraction to every project.
How does excellent teaching translate to UX and design? Glad you asked!
Clear Storytelling: I'm an expert in conveying technical details with simple language and clear examples. From casual chats with teammates to stakeholder presentations, good pedagogy informs all my communication.
Skilled User Interviewing: I spent years learning to put students at ease, build rapport quickly, and pick out exactly what they understood (and what they didn't). Now I use those skills to generate product insights.
"You were my favorite TA that I had at Cornell, and I look back and smile at those 9 AM discussion sections in Phillips. You have a great sense of students' needs, and you truly seem to care about both the material and your students."
"Taking your class this semester made me more confident in my calculus skills and definitely helped me fight my imposter syndrome. I learned a lot from your class, and I really enjoyed your teaching style. I will really miss having you as my instructor!"
"It's very rare to find a prof like you who actually cares about his students' success in and out of the classroom and I just want to say thank you."
"I just wanted to say thank you so much for your help this semester! ... I did better in the course than I expected! And I have no doubts that it is thanks to you."
"Thank you always for your support!"
"You're a great TA (the only reason why I didn't change the 8:00am class to a later time). Thank you so much for all your help and concern. It means a lot."
"During my years in college, you were the only one that was willing to listen to the conflicts I was going through. Thank you so much for everything John."
I designed a product for verbal note-taking that's better than anything currently on the market. Take a look here!
Coursera: Google UX Design Course
Free Code Camp: Responsive Web Design (HTML and CSS)
I've read many books on the subject. Below are a few of my favorites.
I read for pleasure, to learn, and for sheer love of language. I also read to open my eyes to other perspectives and experiences. Everyone is ignorant about some things, but I don't want to be. And every question is a chance to change.
I average nearly one hundred books a year: click here to see my fifty favorites since 2020. I've also memorized 7000 words of poetry since December 2023.
I write extensively, and bring nuance and a poet's ear to everything I do.
And just a heads up: my writing (and all my other work) has no AI involvement. It's just me and the countless wonderful writers I've read and learned from.
I serve on the board of directors of the Family Reading Partnership, an Ithaca based nonprofit that promotes early childhood literacy. Learn more here!
Shoot me an email at johnhcw2468@gmail.com or reach out on LinkedIn!
