Many gamers are familiar with the concept of “side quests”. These are additional quests that are given to the “hero” that don’t do anything to further the main quest line, but they often provide entertaining storylines, interesting or unique loot.
Now, I love a good analogy, and video game to real life scenarios are particularly interesting. There are so many things we can learn about a person based on how they approach video games. And the side quest versus main quest approach provides a great way to understand how I approach my life.
I’m a side quest person. Sure, I follow the main quest line, but I make a point to complete as many side quests as possible. This is especially true when the side quests are interesting and provide a nice challenge. And in my professional life, I do the same. I am always seeking out new experiences. I will make progress on the main quest line, but I need the side quests to keep me interested.
This tendency to pursue multiple “storylines” at once is a defining characteristic of my work. I am not someone who can have one task, get it done, and then move onto the next. And doing the same exact thing every day? Forget about it. I need challenge, and I need diversity.
This is why UX is such a great fit for me. I get to complete many different kinds of tasks, all while working towards one main goal. And it makes me a highly valuable employee because I have many skills that can be applied to a large variety of projects.
As you can see, I believe that side quests are a method of building skills, exploring more of the world, and generally “leveling up”. They’re not a distraction, they’re a necessary part of being a well-rounded person (or player).
Meg Burkett 
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