Chapter Resources > Part 1 (Chapters 1 – 5): Establishing Your Foundation

This page covers all five chapters included in the first part of the book:

• Chapter 1: What is User Experience (UX)?
• Chapter 2: Your Career is Grounded in your Education
• Chapter 3: Never Stop Learning
• Chapter 4: Branding and Networking for Career Success
• Chapter 5: Critical Soft Skills

Thank you to Nick Gould, Dan Brown and Chelsey Glasson who enhanced Part 1 with their personal stories. Check out Dan’s book: Designing Together.

Cory’s related writing

• My ADHD Journey, How It Intersects with Anxiety and What I Do About ItCory reflects on the intersections between ADHD and anxiety.
• My ADHD Journey: Thriving Through VarietyCory shares his experience of variety as a source of engagement and energy.
• In-person and remote interactions are not equalCory reflects on the differences between in-person and remote interactions.
• The burden of empathy: But I still choose itCory considers the personal demands of empathy.
• Think about more than just your users: Practice nice UXCory explores extending care beyond users to the people involved in UX work.
• Go Ahead and Accept that LinkedIn Connection RequestCory makes the case for being open to new professional connections on LinkedIn.

Online Learning

• Cory’s UX courses on LinkedIn Learning Practical UX research and career topics; a subscription may be required.
• Digital Accessibility Foundations (W3C). Free audit option covering accessibility foundations; registration may be required and certificates are optional paid extras.
• Google technical writing courses Open lessons on clear technical communication, accessibility, and error messages.

Blogs

• UXmattersPractitioner perspectives on UX research, design, strategy, and careers.
• UX MagazineArticles and conversations exploring UX, design practice, and emerging technology.
• Smashing Magazine: UXPractical UX guides, case studies, and ideas for improving digital experiences.
• MeasuringU blogResearch methods, usability measurement, and evidence for making UX decisions.
• Nielsen Norman Group articlesResearch-based guidance on usability, UX methods, and design practice.
• A List ApartArticles on the design, development, and content of useful, accessible websites.
• Boxes and Arrows archiveAn archive of information architecture and design writing; on indefinite hiatus since 2023.

Conferences

• Confs.tech: Design / UX conferences in 2026 and 2027 A community-maintained directory covering multiple organizers.
• UIUX Trend: UX conferences in 2027 A worldwide calendar of UX and HCI events from multiple organizers.

Check the organizer’s website for confirmed dates, accessibility information, and registration details.

Supportive Professional Organizations

• User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA)
• IxDA local communities and interaction design archive
• Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA)
• Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES)
• Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA)
• ACM Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction (SIGCHI)
• American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
• All sorts of local Meetups via meetup.com and elsewhere
• Write the Docs An open community for people who write and maintain documentation.