Meet Alyssa Joy Bautista

We recently connected with Alyssa Joy Bautista and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa Joy , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

I often say that my career seems to hit all the marks of a “triple threat” as a woman in the automotive industry, working for a German company, being on an engineering team. As a Filipino American woman designing the future of cars, I’ve often been the “only one in the room” who looks like me. It can be isolating at times. I’ve sought out mentors to help me navigate the very real challenges of an environment like mine. I wanted to meet more leaders who looked like me, ones I could emulate. But in this space, those role models have been few and far between.

Eventually, I realized that waiting for someone to guide me wasn’t an option. I had to carve out my own path, become my own motivator and confidante. I learned through experience, self-reflection, and plenty of boba venting sessions that over time, I needed to show up for myself and become the mentor I had been searching for.

This mindset has lead me to find confidence in my voice and be intentional about creating spaces where diverse perspectives are not only included, but genuinely valued. It gave me the strength to speak up, take on new challenges without hesitation, and push forward, even when I wasn’t sure of the outcome. The journey has not been easy—and it still isn’t—but it has shown me the strength that comes from empowering myself with who I am and supporting others who face similar challenges. Each step forward builds resilience and strengthens my resolve to pave the way for others, so those who look like me know that they are capable to succeed in this space too.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

One of my growing passions has always been cars, and another has been creating great experiences for people. Fortunately, I’ve been able to blend these two passions seamlessly into my career. I’ve been working in the design space since 2016, and during that time, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to some incredible projects. From designing for inclusive mobility at Volkswagen, to exploring the shifting behaviors of luxury vehicle consumers at Porsche Digital, and now pushing the boundaries of autonomy at Audi, my journey has been as dynamic as the industry itself.

As a Human Factors Researcher, I delve into how people interact with vehicles in the advanced driving space—focusing on human behavior and experience. Picture this: every day, you’re not just observing automotive innovation, you’re actively part of it—testing prototype vehicles that could completely transform how we commute. It’s not all desk work; half the time it’s behind the wheel, directly engaging with real drivers and their take on the future of driving. I design user studies that pinpoint how people think, feel, and respond to advanced driving technologies. It’s an exhilarating and demanding field, and I’m fortunate to collaborate with some of the brightest minds to tackle these complex challenges. From semi-autonomous cars that can handle city traffic like a pro to futuristic interiors that reimagine what in-cabin experiences can be, every day in this space feels like an adventure. Here at Audi of America in our San Jose Office, we’re not just working; we’re shaping the future of transportation—one test drive at a time.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my own journey, the three strongest qualities that drove me to where I am today are Intuition, Patience, and Cultural Sensitivity.
I lean heavily into my intuition, a skill often overlooked in this data-driven world. By probing at the right times and asking the right questions during user studies, I’ve been able to uncover richer discoveries. My facilitation intuition has been a powerful tool for uncovering groundbreaking insights in my work.

Patience, a virtue often tested in research, has been essential for building rapport with participants, navigating design challenges, and waiting for meaningful moments to unfold. In every step of my UX process, my patience has demonstrated trust in the creative process, leading to more impactful outcomes. By allowing space for reflection and genuine expression, I’ve been able to reveal unspoken thoughts that might have been missed in a more hurried approach.

Finally, approaching everything with cultural sensitivity has been key. When conducting research across diverse populations, understanding cultural nuances is vital. This has helped me interpret findings in the context of the user’s cultural background, leading to more accurate and relevant insights.

For me, research is a journey of discovery. For those embarking on their research journey, I advise cultivating these qualities and using them as your north star. Intuition can be sharpened by trusting your gut instincts and reflecting on past experiences. Patience is a skill that can be developed through mindfulness practice and perseverance. And cultural sensitivity requires empathy, and a willingness to challenge your own biases. It also helps to surround yourself with like minded individuals who find passion in the same space.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

In my experience, it’s essential to increase versatility and invest in your areas of weakness while continuing to sharpen your current strengths.

A well-rounded skillset allows you to take on a wider range of projects and contribute to different aspects of the design process. Research and design yield the best results when collaborating with colleagues who have a diverse skillset; it leads to more creative and innovative solutions to complex problems. It also helps that I’ve been fortunate to have people in my corner who not only supported and encouraged my curiosity, but discovered my UX skills, helping me grow into this career I’m in today…Thank you. This ongoing pursuit to be well-rounded has opened doors to new roles and opportunities and found it easier to be more collaborative with people in other specialties. For example, while I’ve heavily focused on Qualitative Research for many years, I’ve also invested time in diversifying my skills through interaction design, quantitative research, and strategic business thinking.

Overall, it’s crucial to continue growing your strengths while also investing in areas of weakness. In a competitive field like research and design in the advanced driving space, differentiating yourself is essential for long-term relevance and success. It also doesn’t hurt to see your work being built into these vehicles and being able to say you’ve contributed to that great design.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alyssabautista.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssabautista/
• Twitter: https://x.com/AlyssaB_UXD