UX Researcher Intern

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Researcher Intern

Company: AAA (Auto Club Enterprises)

Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

Job Type: Part-Time, Intern

Category: User Experience (UX) Research

Date Posted: May 13, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 years (Internship)

Remote Status: Hybrid (Must reside within driving distance of Los Angeles, CA)

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on hands-on experience in User Experience (UX) Research, providing exposure to both qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

• The role involves collaborating with seasoned UX Researchers and cross-functional teams to identify user needs, business goals, and research opportunities.

• Interns will gain practical experience in executing research studies, analyzing data, and synthesizing findings into actionable insights for digital products.

• A key aspect of this role is learning to leverage AI tools and advanced analytics platforms to enhance research scope, velocity, and impact.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "UX Researcher Intern," the extensive list of responsibilities and tools suggests a comprehensive learning experience that goes beyond typical intern duties, offering deep immersion into the UX research lifecycle and a variety of advanced technologies. The "0-2 years" experience level is typical for internships, but the depth of the provided responsibilities indicates a high-value learning opportunity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Partner with UX Researchers, stakeholders, product teams, designers, content strategists, and engineering teams to identify user needs, business goals, and research opportunities.

• Collaborate with the UX Research Lead and cross-functional teams to conceive, design, and execute UX research studies across the full product and research lifecycle.

• Plan, pilot, manage, moderate, and execute user research studies for websites, native mobile apps, and other digital channels.

• Practice leveraging AI tools, including Gemini and Claude, to increase research scope, velocity, reach, and impact.

• Conduct research supporting major lines of business including: Insurance, Membership, Travel, Discounts & Rewards, Automotive Services and Education, and FinTech.

• Utilize UX research platforms, such as UserTesting, to conduct and analyze a broad range of qualitative UX research methodologies including competitive analysis, secondary research, best practices, discovery research, usability testing (moderated and unmoderated), content design and copy testing, UX writing, animation/motion testing, navigational systems, SEO, emails, print, in-depth interviews, generative research, concept testing, prototype testing, live website & app testing, ethnographic studies, observational studies, diary studies, card sorting, tree testing, journey mapping, heuristic evaluations, accessibility and experience audits, use case testing (Adobe CDP & AJO), longitudinal and life situation studies, and persona attribute mapping.

• Conduct quantitative UX research and digital experience analysis using advanced analytic and metric tools including Quantum Metrics, Adobe Analytics, Tableau, Adobe CDP, Adobe AJO, Adobe Target, and related analytics platforms.

• Analyze KPIs, behavioral metrics, conversion funnels, personalization strategies, and path analyses to identify user pain points and optimization opportunities.

• Support experimentation and optimization initiatives through insights derived from analytics and behavioral data.

• Analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative findings into actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

• Write clear, concise, and compelling UX research reports and presentations for stakeholders, leadership audiences, and other teams.

• Effectively communicate research findings, usability issues, and experience opportunities to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Capture, organize, tag, and maintain research insights and knowledge repositories using platforms such as Aurelius.

• Collaborate closely with Product, UX Design, Content Strategy, Engineering, Analytics, and Marketing teams.

• Support UX Research Operations (ResOps), including participant management, research governance, taxonomy/tagging, templates, documentation, and process improvement.

• Mentor and support junior UX Researchers and interns.

• Help promote research best practices and a user-centered culture across the organization.

• Participate in working sessions with cross-functional teams.

• Assist in driving results and insights using A/B Testing.

• Design concept flows, interactive prototypes, and create testing plans for validation.

• Communicate and present research, insights, and concepts to UX lead(s).

• Promote UX design efforts, mindset, and methods through presentation and communication.

• Design and help facilitate workshops to scope an initiative, identify an opportunity, or generate potential solutions.

• Work with different Product Owners/Managers to help define vision and strategy.

• Partner with team members in user experience to promote best practices for the user experience program.

• Assist in developing Information Architecture (IA) and a cohesive design strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities are extremely detailed, covering a vast array of UX research methodologies, tools, and business areas. This indicates a robust internship program designed to provide comprehensive exposure. The inclusion of AI tools like Gemini and Claude, alongside advanced analytics platforms, highlights a forward-thinking approach to UX research. The emphasis on supporting multiple lines of business (Insurance, Membership, Travel, FinTech, etc.) suggests exposure to diverse user needs and business challenges.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While specific degree requirements are not explicitly stated, a background or current pursuit in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, Design, or a related field is highly recommended.

Experience:

• Experience delivering successful research artifacts for web, mobile, and/or software applications.

• Experience using data to influence UX design (e.g., Data analytics, A/B testing, user testing, heat mapping analysis, etc.).

Required Skills:

• Boundless curiosity and empathy for users.

• Strong people skills and ability to collaborate effectively.

• Data-driven thinking and meticulous attention to detail.

• Hunger to understand user behaviors, thoughts, feelings, and wishes in digital interactions.

• Foundational understanding of UX Research principles and methodologies.

• Proficiency in or willingness to quickly learn qualitative research methods (e.g., usability testing, interviews).

• Familiarity with or eagerness to learn quantitative research methods and analytics tools.

• Ability to analyze and synthesize information from various sources.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for reporting findings.

• Experience constructing interactive prototypes using tools like Sketch or Figma.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience using UX Research platforms such as UserTesting.

• Experience using AI tools like Gemini and Claude for research enhancement.

• Experience with quantitative analytics tools such as Quantum Metrics, Adobe Analytics, Tableau, Adobe CDP, Adobe AJO, or Adobe Target.

• Experience managing research insights using platforms like Aurelius.

• Experience with A/B testing and personalization initiatives.

• A strong eye for visual design, color, layout, and overall flow.

• Experience conducting user research and usability testing.

• Any experience using Adobe Target for A/B and/or Personalization is a plus.

• Experience with Information Architecture (IA) and design strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "What You'll Need" section directly translates into the required and preferred skills. The emphasis on "boundless curiosity and empathy" and "hunger to find out what users do" are critical soft skills for a UX Researcher. The mention of specific AI tools and advanced analytics platforms implies a need for adaptability and a willingness to learn cutting-edge technologies.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A portfolio (or samples) of project experience demonstrating collaboration with mock business stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

• Evidence of defined experiences, illustrating your process, and showcasing completed projects.

• Examples of how you have used data to influence UX design decisions.

• Prototypes created using tools like Sketch or Figma.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase your approach to planning and executing UX research studies from inception to completion.

• Document your methodology for synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data into actionable insights.

• Provide examples of how you communicate research findings and strategic recommendations to diverse audiences.

• Illustrate your understanding of research operations, including participant management and knowledge management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio is explicit and emphasizes practical application and collaboration. The description implies a need to showcase not just the final output but also the process behind research, analysis, and communication, which is crucial for evaluating an intern's learning potential and methodological rigor.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $30 per hour.

Benefits:

• One-to-one mentoring from career UX Researchers.

• Hands-on experience with a wide range of UX research methodologies and tools.

• Exposure to AI tools (Gemini, Claude) and advanced analytics platforms (Adobe Analytics, Tableau, etc.).

• Opportunity to contribute to major lines of business within a large organization (Insurance, Membership, Travel, FinTech).

• Development of skills in qualitative and quantitative research, synthesis, and reporting.

• Potential to contribute to A/B testing and personalization initiatives.

• Experience in UX Research Operations (ResOps).

• Opportunity to observe and learn about embedding AI in UX workflows.

• Exposure to designing and facilitating workshops.

• Work with diverse Product Owners/Managers to define vision and strategy.

• Opportunity to promote UX best practices and a user-centered culture.

Working Hours: The position is part-time, and the total number of hours per week is not specified but is assumed to be around 20 hours given the "PART_TIME" designation and the common structure of internships. The stated "working hours: 40" in the input data may refer to a standard full-time equivalent for the role or a potential for more hours if available and desired.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated pay rate of $30/hour is competitive for a UX Researcher Intern. The benefits listed are primarily developmental and experiential, which is typical for internships, focusing on learning and exposure rather than traditional employee benefits like health insurance or retirement plans. The "working hours: 40" input is noted as potentially inconsistent with "PART_TIME" and is clarified as likely referring to a standard full-time week.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Auto Club Enterprises (ACE) is the largest club within the national AAA federation, operating in the Automotive Services, Insurance, Membership, Travel, and Financial Services sectors.

Company Size: Large organization with nearly 17,000 employees across 24 states, serving over 18 million members.

Founded: AAA's history dates back to 1900, indicating a long-standing reputation and stability.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research team likely consists of experienced UX Researchers, a UX Research Lead, and potentially junior researchers or other interns.

• Collaboration is expected with cross-functional teams including Product Management, UX Design, Content Strategy, Engineering, Analytics, and Marketing.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core principle, with an emphasis on leveraging analytics and user insights.

• User-centered design is promoted across the organization.

• Research methodologies span a wide spectrum, from generative discovery to evaluative testing, supported by advanced analytics.

• The team embraces innovation, including the integration of AI tools into research workflows.

Company Website: [AAA Company Website URL - Placeholder, as not provided in input]

📝 Enhancement Note: AAA's long history and large scale suggest a stable, established organization with a significant member base and diverse business units. The company emphasizes diversity and inclusion ("When we embrace our diversity – we win. All of Us!") and a commitment to "legendary, lifetime service." This implies a culture that values employee contributions and customer satisfaction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship position designed for individuals early in their UX Research career. It provides foundational experience and exposure to professional UX research practices.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to a UX Research Lead or a senior UX Researcher who will provide direct mentorship and supervision. They will also work closely with other UX Researchers and cross-functional teams.

Operations Impact: While an intern's direct impact may be limited by scope and duration, their contributions to research studies, data analysis, and insight generation can directly inform design decisions, product improvements, and ultimately enhance the member experience across various AAA services. The research conducted can lead to optimizations in user flows, feature adoption, and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Intensive learning in a wide array of qualitative and quantitative UX research methodologies, AI-assisted research, and advanced analytics platforms.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining practical experience within a large, established organization serving diverse business needs (Insurance, Travel, FinTech, etc.).

• Mentorship: Direct one-to-one mentoring from experienced UX Researchers, providing guidance on career paths and professional development.

• Networking: Building connections with UX professionals, product managers, designers, and engineers across different departments.

• Portfolio Building: Creating tangible research artifacts and case studies that can be added to a professional portfolio.

• Potential for Future Roles: Successful interns may be considered for future opportunities within AAA's UX or related departments.

📝 Enhancement Note: This internship is positioned as a significant learning opportunity. The "Growth Opportunities" are framed around skill acquisition, practical application, and professional networking, which are paramount for an intern. The role provides a structured environment to develop a strong foundation in UX research, with potential pathways for future career development within AAA.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position is hybrid, requiring the intern to reside within driving distance of the Los Angeles offices. This suggests an office environment that supports in-person collaboration, team meetings, and potentially access to specialized equipment or resources.

Office Location(s): Los Angeles, CA (specifically mentioning "Los Angeles Figueroa - 1085" implies a specific office building or campus).

Workspace Context:

• The environment fosters close collaboration with UX Researchers, designers, product managers, and engineers.

• Access to industry-standard UX research tools, analytics platforms, and AI tools is provided.

• The company culture encourages a user-centered approach and the sharing of best practices.

• The hybrid model allows for a balance between focused individual work and collaborative team sessions.

Work Schedule: The role is part-time. While specific daily hours are not defined, the hybrid nature implies that some days will be spent in the office for meetings and collaboration, while others might allow for remote work. The "working hours: 40" input is noted and may indicate flexibility or a standard full-time week that this part-time role contributes to.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and office location are crucial for candidates to consider, emphasizing the need for local residency. The workspace context highlights a collaborative and technologically advanced environment, typical of modern UX teams.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess foundational skills and experience.

• First Round Interview: Likely a behavioral and skills-based interview with a UX Researcher or hiring manager to assess curiosity, empathy, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of UX research principles.

• Skills Assessment/Case Study: Potential for a take-home assignment or a live case study session where candidates might be asked to analyze a problem, propose a research plan, or present a portfolio piece. This will focus on their process and analytical thinking.

• Final Round Interview: May involve meeting with additional team members or stakeholders to evaluate cultural fit, collaboration potential, and overall suitability for the internship program.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Process: Clearly articulate your thought process, research methodology, and how you arrived at your findings and recommendations in each project.

• Highlight Collaboration: Demonstrate how you worked with stakeholders, designers, or other team members, and how you synthesized feedback.

• Data-Driven Insights: Present examples where your research or analysis directly influenced design decisions or product outcomes.

• Tool Proficiency: Include examples of prototypes created with Sketch or Figma, and mention any experience with research or analytics tools.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and clearly communicates the value of your work.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects that align with the diverse business areas (Insurance, Travel, FinTech) and methodologies mentioned in the job description.

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Fundamentals: Be ready to discuss core UX research concepts, methodologies (qualitative and quantitative), and when to apply them.

• Problem-Solving: Prepare to tackle hypothetical UX research problems, outlining your approach, potential methods, and how you'd measure success.

• Tool Familiarity: Refresh your knowledge of common UX research tools and analytics platforms, and be prepared to discuss your experience with prototyping tools like Figma or Sketch.

• AI and Analytics Integration: Think about how AI tools and advanced analytics can enhance traditional UX research processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process will likely focus on assessing a candidate's foundational UX research knowledge, their ability to articulate their process, their collaborative skills, and their potential to learn and grow within the program. The portfolio is a critical component and should highlight practical application and methodological rigor.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• UX Research Platforms: UserTesting (explicitly mentioned for conducting and analyzing studies).

• AI Tools: Gemini, Claude (for increasing research scope, velocity, and impact).

• Prototyping Tools: Sketch, Figma (required for constructing interactive prototypes).

• Insights Management: Aurelius (for capturing, organizing, tagging, and maintaining research insights).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Adobe Analytics (for digital experience analysis).

• Business Intelligence/Visualization: Tableau (for analysis and reporting).

• Customer Data Platform (CDP): Adobe CDP (for data analysis and personalization).

• Personalization & Optimization: Adobe Target (for A/B testing and personalization strategies).

• Behavioral Analytics: Quantum Metrics (for analyzing user behavior on digital platforms).

• Adobe Experience Cloud Suite: Adobe AJO (Adobe Journey Optimizer) is also mentioned, indicating a comprehensive Adobe ecosystem.

CRM & Automation: While not explicitly listed for this role, understanding CRM principles is generally beneficial for understanding customer data. The role focuses more on research and analytics tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires familiarity with, or a strong aptitude for learning, a sophisticated technology stack. The emphasis on the Adobe Experience Cloud suite, alongside specialized tools like UserTesting, Quantum Metrics, and AI platforms, indicates a modern, data-intensive UX research environment. Candidates should highlight any experience with these tools or transferable skills from similar platforms.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Curiosity & Empathy: A deep-seated desire to understand user needs, motivations, and experiences.

• Data-Driven Approach: Decisions are informed by rigorous research and analytical insights.

• User-Centered Design: Placing the user at the forefront of all product development and design processes.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals.

• Continuous Learning & Innovation: Embracing new tools, methodologies, and AI to enhance research capabilities and promote best practices.

• Service Excellence: A commitment to delivering "legendary, lifetime service" to members, a core tenet of AAA.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamless collaboration with Product, Design, Engineering, Content Strategy, and Marketing teams to ensure research insights are integrated into the product lifecycle.

• Mentorship & Support: A culture that supports the growth of junior team members and interns through guidance and knowledge sharing.

• User-Centric Advocacy: Acting as advocates for the user, translating user needs into actionable recommendations for business and product teams.

• Open Communication: Encouraging clear and effective communication of research findings and insights to diverse audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's stated values and the nature of the internship emphasize a learning culture that is collaborative, user-focused, and driven by data and innovation. The "All of Us!" slogan suggests an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Diverse Business Domains: Navigating the unique user needs and business objectives across multiple AAA lines of business (Insurance, Travel, FinTech, etc.).

• Tool & Technology Integration: Quickly learning and effectively utilizing a broad and advanced suite of research, analytics, and AI tools.

• Synthesizing Complex Data: Integrating findings from various qualitative and quantitative research methods and analytics platforms into cohesive insights.

• Communicating Insights: Effectively translating complex research findings into actionable recommendations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Hybrid Work Dynamics: Adapting to a hybrid work environment, balancing independent work with in-office collaboration.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Comprehensive UX Research Training: In-depth exposure to a wide spectrum of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.

• AI and Advanced Analytics Immersion: Hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools like Gemini, Claude, Adobe Analytics, and Quantum Metrics.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Understanding how UX research integrates with Product Management, Design, Engineering, and Marketing.

• Professional Mentorship: Direct guidance from experienced UX Researchers to foster skill development and career exploration.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Building a strong portfolio with real-world project examples and research artifacts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for an intern in a complex, technology-rich environment, offering significant opportunities for growth through overcoming them. The learning opportunities are extensive, making this a valuable experience for aspiring UX Researchers.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used data to influence a design decision. What was your process?" (Focus on data analysis, synthesis, and communication of insights).

• "Imagine we want to understand user pain points in our AAA mobile app's renewal process. How would you approach researching this problem? What methods would you consider?" (Assess research strategy, methodology selection, and tool application).

• "How do you ensure empathy and a user-centered perspective when working on a project?" (Evaluate understanding of core UX values and user advocacy).

• "You've just completed a usability test for a new feature. How would you synthesize your findings and present them to a team of designers and product managers?" (Focus on reporting, synthesis, and communication skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in UX Research at AAA, specifically?" (Research AAA's mission, services, and values; connect your interests to their business).

• "How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as product managers and engineers?" (Highlight your teamwork and communication skills).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your role, the research methods used, your process, key findings, and the impact/recommendations.

• Showcase Your Process: Don't just show the final deliverables; explain how you got there. This is crucial for an intern role.

• Quantify Impact: If possible, use metrics or data to demonstrate the effectiveness of your research or recommendations.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your choices, challenges faced, and alternative approaches you considered.

• Highlight Tool Usage: Specifically mention and showcase your experience with tools like Figma, Sketch, UserTesting, or any analytics platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating foundational UX research knowledge, a strong understanding of the research process, excellent communication and collaboration skills, and a genuine enthusiasm for learning and contributing to AAA's user experience initiatives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Researcher Intern position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Workday careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases projects demonstrating your research process, data influence on design, and experience with prototyping tools (Figma/Sketch). Tailor examples to highlight any experience relevant to AAA's business lines (e.g., insurance, travel).

• Resume Optimization: Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, and any prior experience in research, data analysis, or design. Use keywords such as "UX Research," "Qualitative Research," "Quantitative Research," "Usability Testing," "Data Analysis," "Figma," and "Sketch."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your UX research process, methodologies, and how you synthesize findings, using specific examples from your portfolio. Prepare to discuss your learning goals and how you can contribute to the team.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with AAA's mission, values, and the diverse range of services they offer. Understand their commitment to member service and user-centered design.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.