Why I Love Working on State Government Research Projects
Cory Lebson
UX Research Consultant/Freelancer; Leader; Speaker; Instructor; Author **Available for new projects and fractional roles**
What Does It Mean to Work with Government?
When many people think about government consulting, they think about working with the federal government. That's certainly a fair assumption. The federal government is often far more visible to many, sometimes even more so than the government of their home state.
In fact, if you had asked me in 2001 what it meant to do UX consulting in government - even as I was a part-time State of Connecticut employee - I would have said that consulting in government was something done at the federal level.
However, by the time I had gone off on my own, exclusively working through my own business since 2008, I was starting to experience some small state-related contracts. As the years went on and I continued to work on a variety of federal, commercial, educational, and non-profit projects, I found myself enjoying state-level consulting tremendously. Within the past decade, in fact, I've done more state work than federal.
The Unique Appeal of State-Level UX Work
State-level projects have offered me a unique and dynamic challenge. Each state has its own policies, systems, and ways of engaging with residents, leading to digital experiences that can be subtly different—or sometimes drastically different—from one another.
The Variety Keeps the Work Engaging
State-by-state variations keep the work fresh and engaging. Understanding state government systems requires a nuanced grasp of local regulations, cultural expectations, and user needs, which can shift dramatically across state lines. The same system that works well in one state might be less effective in another, leading to exciting UX solutions and adaptations. Municipal government projects add another interesting layer, as they contain hyperlocal content and involve agencies that operate with fewer resources yet have an even more direct impact on residents' daily lives.
The Impact of UX on Government Services
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous state and municipal agencies, helping them improve digital interactions for everything from content-driven systems to applications focused on healthcare, tax services, benefits, licensing, transportation, and even communication between states and the federal government.
I have consistently worked with dedicated and caring state employees who are committed to making a tangible impact through content and services for the residents who need them most. While the scale of federal projects can be impressive, state and local efforts often allow for faster iterations and measurable change in a relatively short time.
The Role of UX in Federal Government
That all said, I strongly believe that good UX at the federal level can have an enormous positive impact as well. Regardless of political shifts, there have regularly been opportunities for meaningful improvements that can help millions of people navigate critical services more efficiently.
Unfortunately, the current federal employment and contracting environment is chaotic to say the least, with mass layoffs and many federal projects facing freezes or cancellations. This currently means limited opportunities for consultants like myself to contribute in that space.
Consider Working with State Governments
I've already completed some state work this year and have at least one additional small state project coming up. I still have plenty of time that is not yet booked and hope to have the opportunity to do more government work.
Although I hope that federal work stabilizes very soon and that I still have opportunities to make a difference at the federal level, I expect that it will remain chaotic and unstable for some time. However, I’m hopeful that there will be more state government work in the near term.
If you’re a former federal employee or contractor and want to continue working in government but are unsure about finding opportunities at the federal level, consider looking for employment or contract opportunities at the state level.
The goal remains the same: ensuring that government services are designed with the people they serve in mind.
And every engagement is a chance to solve a new puzzle and make a difference!
About Cory Lebson
Cory Lebson has been a user experience researcher and consultant for 30 years.
As the Principal and Owner of Lebsontech LLC, he focuses on leading small qualitative UX research and evaluation consulting projects for a variety of clients across industries. Cory is also the author of The UX Careers Handbook Second Edition (2022)?and is a LinkedIn Learning instructor with course topics related to UX research and careers.
Cory speaks frequently on topics related to UX career development, user research, and accessibility.?He has been featured both on tv and on the radio and has also published a number of articles. Check out Cory's written and video content.
Cory has an MBA in marketing and technology management, as well as an MA in sociology and a BS in psychology. Cory is a past president of the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA) International and is also a past president of the UXPA DC Chapter.