Research Spotlight: an interview with Carolyn Shetter, Research Ops Associate
We chat about how Carolyn maintains a healthy mindset, what books they’re reading, and the perfect addition to any desk…crystals!
This interview was monitored by Austin Couillard, Sr. Brand Designer.
Hi Carolyn, tell us about yourself.
Let us know about your role, where you’re from, how you got to be doing what you do, and some fun facts!
I started my time at Auth0 as a Research Intern in the summer of 2021, and I joined the team full time in September as a Research Operations Associate. Like many who wind up in this space, the path here was a winding road.
I have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and am a PhD drop out. I found a love of education when I started teaching in graduate school, which then pivoted me into the nonprofit education space for the next five years. After a few years, I missed the data-driven nature of my chemistry experiences, but I didn’t want to give up connecting with interesting people in my day-to-day work. Research was the perfect solution to get the two aspects I must have in a career.
I grew up 45 minutes north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but the place I most recently have called home is Austin, Texas. It’s home to my closest friends, a small but mighty queer community, and a vibrant design culture that helped me grow as a person and professional. If it weren’t for the hot summers I’d probably still be there.
Outside of work you can find me reading nonfiction, going on walks around my neighborhood, watching tv shows, and exploring wherever I’m living at the moment. I’m currently in Seattle, Washington, and I am doing my best to befriend my 15 month old niece. She is a little suspect of adults since she has only known the covid world, but my persistence will pay off (hopefully).
Who or what inspires you?
As a social and environmental justice advocate, I am always astounded on how applied research can be used to make social and environmental changes in our world. I recently finished reading Data Action by Sarah Williams, which has definitely inspired me to brush up on my data visualization skills. She spends most of the book discussing the need to work with data ethically. However, what really struck me was Sarah’s persistent message that all data should be made public. This is key because the owners of data tend to have their own biases and agendas, especially if that data is going to be used to make policy decisions.
One of the examples she gave of publicly used data was for the Million Dollar Blocks project in New York City. The data was relinquished from the criminal justice system, and it is typically not data that is made publicly available.The researchers who worked with the data and created the visualizations publicized their work. In the Bronx alone it cost $228 million dollars to incarcerate 3,423 of its residents, and the concentration of those prisoners come from the same community districts. Within those districts you will find ethnic minorities with low socioeconomic statuses. The visualizations eventually created a local movement to change the policies around policing throughout New York City and focus more on helping these communities instead of policing them.
When I first read this section of the book a fire was lit under me. It pushed me to work on my data visualization skills as well as researching ways to get involved in civic tech. Helping people is a key part of my life’s work, and being able to use technology for social and environmental justice is what I aspire to do.
How do you keep up-to-date with tools and developments in the field of research?
Slack communities are my best friend. I am a part of three slack communities that cover a wide variety of topics that I scan to find new bits of information. The one I’ve been relying on the most has been the Research Operations Slack community. It has helped me learn a lot as an early professional and connect with different companies who are focusing on operations.
What was something you didn’t expect to learn when joining the Auth0 research team?
Something I didn’t expect coming in was how much camaraderie there would be amongst the design team. We start most meetings off with a weird question or a fun activity, which helps balance out the doldrums of the work day. We recently had a blind powerpoint presentation competition in our Design All Hands meeting. I had so much fun being absolutely ridiculous and overtop with the presentation, which isn’t something I’m always able to bring to work. It’s nice to have the ability to let go of the rigidity of professionalism and just be silly.
What’s it like working at Auth0?
It’s certainly different from any other work experience I’ve had. The first thing I noticed when I started at Auth0 was how welcoming everyone was. My first week as an intern I had so many people reaching out to introduce themselves and offer up their time if I ever needed anything. I quickly felt at home here.
Additionally, this is my first remote position. I enjoy the flexibility of working anywhere, hence traveling the country. My manager has been wonderful about letting me create my own schedule and working the hours that fit my life best. It has been easy for me to develop a work-life balance because of the idea that the hours shouldn’t matter so long as the work gets done.
What are you currently reading?
I’m a big nonfiction reader. I always have a few books in rotation because I get bored easily. Right now I’m reading The Jakarta Method & The Marathon Don’t Stop: The Life & Times of Nipsey Hussle.
The Jakarta Method is a dark history on the United States’ brutal tactics to defeat communism in key countries during the Cold War. I’ve been on a large US history kick because of all the geopolitical clashes happening in our present. As a researcher, context is everything, and my career has certainly fed my love of history.
The Marathon Don’t Stop is about the life and death of notorious LA rapper Nipsey Hussle. I hadn’t known much of Nipsey Hussle before he was murdered outside of his clothing store in South Central LA, but the more I read the more inspiring his life and story become. I personally relate to the belief that the marathon always continues on, we never truly arrive.
Can you show us your workspace (or favorite spot to work) and walk us through your typical workday?
My workspace has been changing a lot because I’ve been traveling around the US for the last year. Right now I have a legitimate desk, which has not been the case in most places. I keep my crystals and palo santo on my desk in case I need to cleanse some energy in my space. Yes, I am that person.
I have some post-its on the wall to remind me of questions I want to ask myself throughout the day. I’m working on strengthening my strategic skills in operations, so a lot of that boils down to always asking “Why?” or “How do you know?” I only use my laptop for visuals (basic, I know), but I find that the split screen functionality on mac works just fine for me.
My work day starts at 9 am, and I head to slack to catch up on what’s been going on since I logged off. If I have messages I respond to them. Then, I check the google calendar app in slack to see what’s going on for the day so I can prioritize what needs to be done first. I usually have at least one meeting every day because #opslife. If I’ve got meetings I’m usually meeting with the different feature teams about what research is going on, and how ops can help them accomplish their goals. I take an hour for lunch around 11 am and can be found watching a show or taking a walk. When I return I may have more meetings, but the afternoon is all me time. Most of the teams are east coast centric, so after 2 pm it’s pretty quiet. I use that time to get to any tasks I need to complete. I check out around 4 pm, but I am still on slack.
What are some items you can’t live without?
Headphones are my number one must have. My partner and I work right next to each other, so I need headphones to enjoy music and podcasts all throughout the day. Recently I’ve also become addicted to my Switch. I play Mario Kart at least once a day. It’s a fun way for me to destress after work. My fur child, Brady, is also irreplaceable. He forces me outside and gives me lots of kisses.
What’s your go-to method to focus?
Ever since my first year of undergrad my go-to method for focus is trance music with noise canceling headphones. Trance music is a genre of EDM that combines a lot of styles including tech house, techno, pop, and classical, just to name a few. Above & Beyond, a popular trance group, has a podcast called Group Therapy. Group Therapy is a series of two hour mixes of trance music by a variety of artists. I use these as a way to get focused. The steady tempos and minimal lyrics help me shut out the world and grind out whatever I need to get done.
How do you maintain a healthy mindset or practice with work ?
I’ve had some really great managers during my last ten years in the workforce who have helped me cultivate a decent balance in my work. One of my managers, now mentor and friend, helped me get out of my workaholic phase by constantly reminding me that work is not all there is to life. As a recovering perfectionist, I do my best to not judge myself by what I accomplish at work. One of the post its on my wall helps me remember this. It says “do I accept myself as I am at this moment?” It’s help me stay as non-judgement as possible and as a gentle reminder to step away when I’m pushing myself too hard.
How do you explain what you do at work to family and friends?
It depends who I am talking to. The most straightforward way I explain it is that I support the people who are customer researchers. I get a little more specific for my friends since they are more tech-literate. I may say I work in research operations where I facilitate research for anyone interested. I give them the tools and resources they need to succeed. For my family that is less tech-savvy, I just say that I work in tech.
What’s a goal for the research team at the moment?
Right now, we’re turning our sights towards sourcing more candidates with accessibility needs into our research panel. Accessibility and inclusivity are one of the big focuses for the design organization this year, and we want to make sure people who are doing research have the tools they need to create products that empower all users of all abilities. This is a space that’s important to me because I have seen the effects of inaccessible products in past roles. We’re having conversations with recruiting agencies this month, and I am very excited to see where they lead.
What would you tell others who want to get into research at a product company like Auth0?
My best advice is to attend design and research events and connect with people. As a sworn introvert I get that it can be overwhelming to put yourself into new situations, but that is ultimately what helped me land at Auth0. Whether it’s an online UXPA meet up or a local design meet up at a coffee shop, making connections and hearing about the experience of others is priceless. It is also a great way to find projects to work on if you’re looking to add case studies to your portfolio. The first project I did outside of school was found through a sibling of a friend who volunteers at Queerbomb, a queer organization in Austin. You never know where opportunity will strike.
Where can people connect with you?
I’m not a big social media person, so Linkedin is all I have. You can find me on Linkedin here.
