My Path to Automattic
As I finish my first year at Automattic, I want to reflect on my journey and what brought me here. In February 2023, I was at a crossroads, thinking about leaving the tech industry. I was burnt out and resigned from Twitter after it changed direction following the acquisition.
Finding a company with values that align with mine has always been important to me. I needed time to recharge and find my sense of purpose again. While volunteering in the Philippines, I rediscovered my passion for working with people from diverse backgrounds to solve interesting challenges.
A couple of months later, a friend referred me to Automattic, which completely changed the course of my life. Automattic is a refreshing change that prioritizes its mission and people, while others are reducing headcount.
Embracing Change
When I first chatted with Kelly and found out I would join the Day One team, I knew it was the perfect fit. I had recently started journaling and seen its benefits firsthand, so working on a product that promotes this felt like home.
Joining a fully remote company was an adjustment, but meeting my team in Toronto for a product meetup helped with the transition. We discussed Day One’s history and brainstormed the future of journaling with the rest of the product team over some amazing dinners. Toronto is a peak foodie destination!
Day One
One of my first goals after joining Day One was to understand our customers better. I interviewed new and existing users to learn about their motivations and challenges. This research guided our roadmap, leading to projects like Ready-to-Use Journals and various usability improvements.
We found that many people want to start journaling but need help knowing where to begin. When users first download Day One, they see a blank timeline, which can be overwhelming. To address this, we’re creating Ready-to-Use Journals, offering guided journals like gratitude, reflection, or grief to help users navigate their emotions and experiences.
We also want to expand Day One’s capabilities to help with self-development and well-being. We’re exploring integrating AI to create a smarter journaling experience. Imagine a journal that offers insights or suggestions based on what you write—this is something we’re excited to test and refine.
New Summer Adventure
One of the best things about working at Automattic is the chance to rotate across different teams. It keeps things fresh, and we bring our insights to different products. I recently joined the Pocket Casts team for a summer rotation. With podcasts growing in popularity, I’m excited to explore this new area and help contribute to its growth!
Like what you see? Then maybe you’d love working here. We’re looking for great designers to help us meet bold growth and quality goals. We’re a fully distributed company with a huge footprint, helping people express themselves and earn a living—and our mission is more vital than ever. Join our team of diverse, global perspectives building a better web, and connect your career to the power of Open Source.
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