Is UX right for me?

Careers & Mentoring
#1

Hi, I am a recent graduate and have become interested in UX design however not coming from a closely related subject I want to get an accurate impression before advancing.

I know this is quite a subjective thing and what is right for someone is not for another, so to make this useful to a wider range of people maybe you could address:

What you like about working in UX?

Was there anything about working in UX that surprised you (a perception that was inaccurate, an aspect of the job you had not considered as prominent)?

What skills do you find yourself using most day to day?

Thank you :slight_smile:

5 Likes
#2

This is a great question for some of our @Experienced-UXers to jump on.

And welcome Amy, great to have you on board.

#4

Thank you :slight_smile:

#5

I love working in UX because I am naturally curious about how people’s brains work and I just want to make things easier.

I’ve worked with UX people who have come from lots of different backgrounds - visual design, market research, psychology, Web design (more technical) but not many communication specialists like me.

It’s a great field for me because - depending on the project - I might be running user research, analysing data to generate findings and recommendations, doing a content audit, designing e-forms or rewriting entire websites following service re-design.

What surprised me when I started was how much UX thinking I was already doing as a communications practitioner.

What still surprises me is that some UX researchers seem to think that simply reporting numbers is the same as analysis!

The reasons I like working in UX are the same reasons I loved working in communications: learning about different companies, listening to what the audience needs and delivering stuff that actually helps people.

Don’t feel you have to be an all-rounder. I focus on the aspects I enjoy the most (and am therefore better at). If you have a chance to explore and see what grabs you, take it.

Good luck!

3 Likes
#6

Hi

I am in a similar situation as I am completing an eLearning degree and yet very much leaning also towards UX as the latter encompasses almost everything we humans access. For example, I have started working for a Chinese multinational and would like to start encouraging this organisation to update/change their UX webpages etc… to better suit the Australian user experiences. However , I am very new to UX so at this just exploring options and keen to learn about the promoting aspect of UX then design. I feel that UX is right for me in my current role as I enjoy working on multiple web projects.

1 Like
#8

Hi,
I’m also a new guy in UX town, and I like how it makes me put myself into other someone’s shoes, to understand and try to solve the problem for them.
And the thing that surprises me the most not only users but your team experience also, who will help you to improve the user’s experience.

#9

Wow, great reply. Thanks, was useful for me as well :slight_smile:

#11

Hello,

As I consider a career change, one of my main concerns is the work/life balance as a UX/UI designer. I’m currently in an extremely demanding industry that requires me to work overtime on a regular basis for no additional compensation. I’m hoping to move into a career that provides more stability. Would you recommend UX/UI in this regard?

Your advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks,

#13

Thanks for sharing your experience!

I’ve come across a lot of writing about the importance of persuasion in UX roles. Did you find there was a learning curve in terms of the soft skills required for your job? How have you personally managed this aspect of your position?