Why I Work at Labs: Lauren Zito, Senior Learning Experience Designer
We asked Lauren Zito, Senior Learning Experience Designer, to talk about why she works at WGU Labs.
I have been fortunate enough to be a Senior Learning Experience Designer at WGU Labs for the past year. My professional mission has been to immerse myself in work that enhances and improves the learning experience, something that WGU Labs emphasizes in their work.
I was exposed to Western Governors University through my graduate school work and was drawn to the collaborative and innovative nature of their work. After graduating, I wasn’t sure what career options there would be, especially amid a global pandemic. Labs came into my life exactly when I needed it — when both my personal life and the world would go through a massive transformation.
Every day, I am grateful and excited to go to tackle the to-dos of the day. Here are three things about Labs that keep me going:
I work closely with other teams
WGU Labs has teams for design, research, engineering, content development, marketing product development, and more. The projects we seek are diverse ranging from evaluating programs and courses curating and facilitating workshops for institutions, and partnering with ed-tech startups in content creation. Every project is new and exciting, with an emphasis on improving quality and advancing educational outcomes for learners everywhere.
It’s us against the problem — not us against each other.
The collaborative nature of the work truly shines in the face of conflict. Each person takes ownership of their role and responsibilities and is willing to go above and beyond to help someone on their team whenever needed. This working environment has ensured that I feel supported as I have worked through each new challenge, project, or setback along the way. No matter the challenge — whether it is internal or external, we face it together.
They invest in the person — not the position.
Labs genuinely want to see each employee learn, grow, and achieve their career goals. Each individual’s growth is viewed as growth for us all. This growth can happen on a particular project, developing and applying new skills along with other designers, or through professional development, taking classes, or attending conferences and workshops to deepen personal knowledge.
About Labs
WGU Labs invents, builds, and enables innovative education products and offerings that multiply the effects of WGU’s mission to have a transformative impact on higher education: to expand access, improve quality, and optimize student outcomes. Click here to visit our webpage to learn more about our team, the projects we’re working on, and our expanding list of partners.
Work with Us!
You can check out our open positions here. We’d love for you to join us!
