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

 

RESOURCES & RELEVANT LINKS

• Emilie Mazurek's Portfolio Website
• Emilie Mazurek on Linkedin
• Chan With A Plan
• Chan With A Plan Private Facebook Group