Navigating career choices in UX
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your career choices, especially when it comes to user experience (UX) design. UX is an exciting and rapidly growing field that is constantly evolving.
However, the choices can be overwhelming, as I’ve come to discover. Questions kept coming up whether to specialise in a particular area of UX (such as writing or strategy) or to become generalist. It can also be disheartening when looking at social media or other posts seeing others going up in this field, when you’re still figuring out how UX fits in with your overall career journey. With this in mind and the increasing demand in this field, it’s essential to have a roadmap to navigate your career choices in this field.
Taking reference from “Working Identity,” Herminia Ibarra discusses the importance of exploring and experimenting with different career options before making a final decision. She argues that to truly understand what we want from our careers, we need to engage in different types of work, take on new challenges, and try new things.
This approach is particularly relevant for those interested in the field of UX, where the range of possible career paths can be broad and varied. Below are some tips for navigating career choices in UX, drawing from the ideas in Ibarra’s book.
Gain exposure to different UX design roles
For someone who is either interested in UX or currently a UX professional, there are many different roles you can pursue, such as UX researcher, UX Designer, UX writer, or UX strategist to name a few roles. It’s important to gain exposure to each of these roles to understand what each entails and what you enjoy doing and which areas you wish to do less of. Ibarra emphasises the importance of “trying on” different roles and exploring what fits best for you. You can do this by taking on projects that stretch your skills, through various employment opportunities and collaborating with professionals in different areas of UX design.
Build your network
Networking is an essential part of any career, and UX design is no exception. Building relationships with other professionals in the field can provide valuable insight into the different career paths available and help you identify potential opportunities. Attending industry events, joining professional organisations, and engaging with other UXer’s on social media platforms are all effective ways to build your network.
Seek out mentors
Mentors can play a critical role in shaping your career choices and providing guidance along the way. As Ibarra notes in her book, finding a mentor who can provide support, advice, and encouragement can help you navigate the complexities of the UX design field. Look for mentors who have experience in the areas you’re interested in and who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise.
Take on challenging projects
One of the best ways to gain experience and build your skills in UX design is to take on challenging projects. As Ibarra suggests, “Engaging in challenging tasks can help us test our limits and uncover previously hidden abilities.” Look for opportunities to take on projects that push your boundaries and challenge you to grow in UX.
Embrace uncertainty
Finally, it’s essential to embrace the uncertainty that comes with navigating career choices in UX. As Ibarra notes, “The only way to discover who we are and what we truly want is to engage in the process of exploration and experimentation.” Be open to new opportunities, take risks, and don’t be afraid to pivot if something isn’t working.
Also, don’t worry about fear of not being where you think you should because of other stories on social media; its your journey and takes time to figure out where you’re interests and skills lie. As Ibarra suggests in her book, the only way to truly figure out what you want in your UX journey is by taking small steps and experiments to explore what you want from it.
In conclusion, navigating career choices in UX requires a proactive approach that involves gaining exposure to different roles, building your network, seeking out mentors, taking on challenging projects, and embracing uncertainty through experimentation. By following these tips and drawing from the insights in Ibarra’s book, you can chart a course that aligns with your interests, strengths, and values and ultimately leads to a fulfilling career in UX.
