Maria is a 23-year-old female business graduate who recently completed a graphic design program in New York. While she has received some job offers, she is concerned that companies prefer cheaper interns and that her university did not adequately prepare her for the job search. She feels pressure to find meaningful work but lacks confidence in existing job hunting sites and fears settling for a job that does not fulfill her.

1. Empathize and Define
Design Thinking A2
Interviewee profile
Name: Maria
Sex: Female
Age: 23 years old
Graduated: Q2 2013
Work Experience: Yes
Length of interview: 35 min.
Notes: A bright business bachelor graduate
with ample work experience both locally and
abroad, she decided to forsake some job
offers after graduating in summer 2013, for
the sake of refining her graphic design skills
on a Parsons summer program. Engaged.
Art and interview by Carlos Escalante, all rights reserved.

2. Empathy Map
SAY
I haven t liked the process
I feel pressured to find a gratifying,
well paid job
I do believe my University gave me the
necessary tools for being competent at
work
But it did not help me build my
CV or give tips about job
hunting or interviews
I am not looking forward to the
small amount of vacations given
by mexican law
I think company s aren t as interested in
grads because they would rather just hire
cheaper interns
Art and interview by Carlos Escalante, all rights reserved.

3. Empathy Map
DO
She s relaxed and seems to be doing what
she believes is right.
Just came back from her NYC
experience, she is confident in
the skills she built.
She is still looking for other
offers in job hunting sites, but is
not very confident about them.
She has had recent
interviews through Skype
with potential employers.
Art and interview by Carlos Escalante, all rights reserved.

4. Empathy Map
THINK
Firms and companies are not
actively looking for the best
interests of graduates.
Universities do not launch
students in the best way they
can into the workforce.
She will get a job
sooner rather
than later.
She thinks job
hunting sites are
not very efficient.
Art and interview by Carlos Escalante, all rights reserved.

5. Empathy Map
FEEL
She s happy about being able to have had
the Parsons experience.
She feels the mexican labor
laws are abusive and will cut her
freedom short.
Excited for career growth and an
income for her future household.
She is afraid she will not get a job
she thinks she deserves
(millennial!)
Art and interview by Carlos Escalante, all rights reserved.

6. Empathize and Define
Design Thinking A2
Young competent female graduate NEEDS A
WAY TO find the correct occupation for her
BECAUSE she is afraid of doing something
she doesn t fulfill her and doesn t have a
clear idea on where to do so EFFICIENTLY.
Art and interview by Carlos Escalante, all rights reserved.
Insights: The mexican job markets seems like a place
where people like Maria are desperately needed, humble
yet confident, with a good overall vision and versatility.
But there is no clear cut way of finding the correct job,
sites are vague and universities have a long way to go.
The prospect of having no free days until after her first
year is not very encouraging.