*Disclaimer: Summer Internship 2025
BMO
Highlights and learnings from my summer interning as a UX Operations intern on the P&BB Digital Experience teams.
Timeline
May - Aug 2025
Role
UX Research, Design Systems, Product Design, User Journeys, Prototyping, Usability Testing, Interaction Design, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Documentation & Knowledge Management
Teams
UX Operations
Design Systems
UX Research
This work is under NDA :(
Please feel free to reach out if you would like to learn more about the work I have done at BMO
01
OVERVIEW
Recap for my Internship
This summer, I spent 4 months at BMO as a User Experience Operations intern, working in the heart of downtown Toronto and getting a true feel for life inside a large UX team. From sitting in on conferences and team sessions to meeting interns across different departments and attending one of the first UX social events, I got to experience both the professional and community side of BMO. It was an environment that felt collaborative, fast paced and full of opportunities to learn from the people around me.
At BMO, I worked across UX Operations, Design Systems and UX Research, where I focused on improving internal tools, supporting research initiatives and helping teams work more efficiently. I contributed to refining design system components, organizing documentation and translating research insights into clearer, more scalable design solutions. Through this, I saw how ideas move from research into real product improvements and how strong systems and collaboration support impactful user experiences.
Focus Day 👩💻
My Contributions
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Improved design consistency by refining Figma components used across multiple business areas
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Strengthened design system usability by updating and organizing documentation in ZeroHeight
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Contributed to UX research projects by synthesizing insights from usability testing and past studies
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Streamlined team workflows by organizing projects and improving documentation in Condens and ZeroHeight
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Communicated complex ideas clearly through UI elements and stakeholder-facing materials
02
LESSONS LEARNED
Key Takeaways
An amazing four months filled with lessons (both professional and personal), that I will carry with me forever! 💌
1. Design Systems are More Than Just Components
Working within a design system showed me that consistency does not happen by accident. It requires constant care, iteration, and attention to detail. I had always been on the designing side, but this was my first time thinking about documentation, structure, and how other designers actually use these systems. I realized that even small updates can have a large impact, and that a well maintained design system creates clarity and confidence for entire teams.
2. The Hidden Role of UX Operations
Before this internship, I had very little exposure to UX Operations. Being part of this space helped me understand how much work happens behind the scenes to keep teams running smoothly. From maintaining documentation to organizing workflows, UX Ops creates the structure that allows designers and researchers to focus on their work. It changed the way I see UX, not just as design, but as a system of people, processes, and tools working together.
3. How Research Shapes Design Decisions
Working closely with UX research was a new and exciting experience for me. I got to see firsthand how each study brings in so many different perspectives and how making sense of those insights is almost like piecing together a story. I really enjoyed the process of organizing findings and noticing patterns over time. It made me realize that research is not about finding one answer, but about continuously learning from users. This experience made my approach to design feel more thoughtful and grounded in real user needs.
4. Growth Comes from Navigating Complexity
Working across multiple teams and responsibilities pushed me to adapt quickly and manage my time effectively. It was my first time balancing work across different areas at once, and while it was challenging at times, it taught me how to stay organized and communicate clearly. More importantly, it showed me that growth often comes from stepping into unfamiliar spaces. By the end of the internship, I felt more confident navigating complex environments and excited to keep learning.
03
FUN MEMORIES
BMO Internship
Summer 2025 ☀️