From the course: Finding a Job in User Experience

Moving from a different discipline

From the course: Finding a Job in User Experience

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Moving from a different discipline

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- User experience is a popular and growing job area at the moment. Many people want to move in from related and unrelated fields. So how can you leverage what you already know, identify what you need to learn and make the jump? Having an existing job gives you a headstart, it should be relatively easy for you to demonstrate several of the competencies that employers are looking for. Team skills, communication ability and so on, central to many corporate jobs. What you'll still have to prove is familiarity with the tools and methods needed in a user experience role and (indistinct) specific skills. Think hard about what parts of this you may already have from your last job. For example, just because you're great at making PowerPoint presentations, it doesn't automatically turn you into a visual designer, but data analysis has an essential part of user research. So if your current role involves that type of skill, it could be a good crossover. I suggest you make a list of the skills that crop up commonly on job descriptions in the areas you're interested in. See which ones you can show competency in already or which areas you feel you're lacking. Then find ways to get those skills. if possible, do it before you move out of your current job that might involve taking on different responsibilities, attending certain training courses or forming a relationship with the UX people in your organization so that you can work alongside them. This will probably take extra effort and hours on your behalf, but along with the new skills you'll gain this also gives you the advantage of building a network of people in the industry. If it isn't possible to do this in your current job, you'll have to consider other ways to get the experience. Typically, this is going to involve volunteering with a nonprofit organization, getting involved in hackathons or other similar events or taking a hands-on training class or bootcamp. As I've mentioned, just be sure that the option you choose is likely to give you the experience you need and that you'll have access to people who can be good mentors and who have current industry experience.

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