How to become a UX/UI Designer with no experience
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Chan With A Plan, host Max Chan speaks with Emilie Mazurek, UX/UI designer. In this conversation Emilie discusses her journey from being in the hospitality industry to working her dream career as a UX/UI designer. She hopes her story will help other students and professionals realize that it’s okay to pivot and go after what can truly make you happy.
QUOTES
“Most of the projects were group work, which at the time was like very annoying, but looking back, I'm extremely grateful for it because now I work in a group, and having that experience is extremely valuable.” Emilie Mazurek
“I did try networking. For me, it felt a bit disingenuous, just because I knew the reason, I was reaching out to them is to see if they would like me and want to chat with me and have any openings. And I know that the best time to do networking is when you're not looking for a job.” - Emilie Mazurek
“I also have to look at some of my peers from the boot camp. A lot of them did get jobs, but a lot of them didn't. And their $15,000 is just gone. You get out of it what you put into it, I think too.” - Emilie Mazurek
TIMESTAMPS
[1:55] Meet Emilie
[4:07] How did Emilie decide that UX/UI design was the right career path for her
[4:57] Was the bootcamp full time or part time
[5:44] Emilie explains what the bootcamp was like
[7:26] Working in a group setting
[8:37] Utilizing the bootcamp experience during interviews when searching for a job
[12:18] Was there an ROI from the bootcamp
[12:39] Realizing her portfolio wasn’t job ready
[14:19] Landing her dream job as a product designer
[15:01] Networking and online job application process
[17:38] Red flags when searching for a UX/UI job
[21:22] Going over cover letter and resume format that helped Emilie
[24:27] Emilie’s experience interviewing
[26:51] Why she decided to keep going and giving value
[27:54] Carving out time with a full time job and still trying to learn new techniques to be better
[31:42] Finally getting the job offer
[34:43] Proudest moment so far in her job
[38:04] 3 lessons learned from Emilie’s journey
[39:44] What big challenge did she face and how she overcame it
[40:35] Contacting Emilie
[41:03] Outro
