Thinking Of Leaving UX? Here Are Your Options...
Alternative Career Paths and Industries for UX Professionals
The recent economic downturn has hit many industries hard, and the UX field is no exception. If you’ve been pondering what's next for you and are evaluating leaving UX, there are some opportunities that lie ahead giving you a chance to explore new possibilities.
Today, we will explore some paths that can align with your UX skills while offering fresh opportunities.
What Other Roles Can You Apply For?
If you’ve been thinking of leaving UX and getting other roles, there are roles where UX professionals can be a good fit and can use the skills that they’ve worked so hard to gain:
Data Analyst: As a UX pro, understanding user behavior is second nature. Apply this skill to become a data analyst. Translate your knack for user insights into analyzing data patterns and making data-driven decisions.
Example: Suppose you're a UX researcher. You're used to interpreting user behavior. Use these skills to move into data analysis, where understanding patterns in vast datasets becomes your forte.
Product Management: Your ability to grasp user needs makes you an excellent fit for product management. Combine your UX skills with prioritization, communication, and ensuring user satisfaction throughout a product's life cycle.
Example: As a UX designer, your forte lies in conducting user research and prototyping. Transition these skills into overseeing product development as a product manager, ensuring every step aligns with user needs.
Content Strategy: Your expertise in creating user-centric interfaces makes transitioning to content strategy seamless. Organize and structure content for optimal user engagement and alignment with user journeys.
Example: You can apply to be a Digital Marketer, skilled at crafting user-focused content, plan and manage content, ensuring it resonates with user journeys and enhances engagement.
Service Design: Utilize your proficiency in understanding user experiences to design seamless service interactions across various touchpoints.
Example: Being a UX architect skilled at mapping user experiences and designing interfaces, dive into service design. Focus on holistic experiences across multiple service interactions.
Freelancing or Consulting: If the idea of being tied to a single role or company feels confining, consider freelancing or consulting. This path allows you to leverage your UX expertise in various industries, widening your professional landscape.
Education and Training: With your deep understanding of UX, stepping into education could be rewarding. Whether it’s teaching aspiring UX professionals or conducting corporate workshops, this path lets you shape the future of the field.
Not Transitioning? Diversify then….
With UX predominantly being in most the tech space, there are other areas that you can apply and work as a UX professional. Some of the overlooked industries are:
Healthcare
Education
Retail and E-commerce
Agriculture
Government and Public Services
For some more direct advice and tips, 👇
✅ Watch “Navigating Your Career Path After a UX Program” on Research Bookmark
✅ Read “The Importance of UI and UX in different industries” by Designers Academy
Essential Skills for Career Shifts:
Adaptability: UX professionals must adapt their skills to cater to the specific needs and challenges of different industries.
Research and Empathy: Understanding diverse user personas and their unique requirements is crucial when transitioning to new industries.
Collaboration: Effective collaboration with professionals from varied backgrounds is essential for successful integration into new industries.
Analytical Thinking: Crucial for roles like data analysis or product management.
Communication: Effective communication skills are fundamental in various professions.
Problem-Solving: Valuable across different career paths for overcoming challenges.
How to Break In:
Transitioning to new industries can be achieved by taking strategic steps:
Networking: Engage with industry professionals by attending events, joining forums, or connecting on platforms like LinkedIn. Networking helps build relationships and gain insights.
Seek Guidance: Find mentors who have successfully transitioned into the industry. Their advice and experiences can offer valuable insights and direction.
Highlight Transferable Skills: Showcase skills like problem-solving, user research, or design thinking, emphasizing their relevance to the new industry.
Skill Assessment: Identify areas of strength and interest for a potential career shift. Assess your current skills and understand the gaps to bridge.
Upskilling: Take targeted courses or certifications to bridge skill gaps. Seek mentorship or join relevant communities to gain insights and practical knowledge.
Challenges and Tips for Transition:
Industry Knowledge Gap: Bridging the gap in industry-specific knowledge can be challenging. Attend online courses, workshops, or industry-related events to gain insights.
How to Tackle:
Engage in forums, webinars, or seminars related to the industry to learn and expand your network.
Building Credibility: Establishing credibility might take time. Showcasing relevant skills and projects in the new sector can demonstrate your value.
How to Tackle:
Contribute to industry-related platforms or forums to establish credibility and expertise.
Additional Recommended Resources
Article: How can you stay adaptable when working with clients from different industries in UX design? by User Experience
Book: "Real UX: Practical Guide Paperback by Jane Florins (Author), Michelle Lisak (Contributor)
Russell Tobin - United States (Remote), $35/hr - $40/hr
Figma - San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)
HustleWing - Side hustles for professionals
Canopy - United Kingdom (Remote), £25K/yr - £35K/yr
Flo Health Inc. - United Kingdom (Remote)
ARC IT Recruitment - Brighton, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
Stealth Startup - Toronto, ON (Remote)
Conduent - Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India (On-site)
Conduent - Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India (On-site)
In these alternatives, the core of your UX expertise remains a guiding force. Each path presents an opportunity to reframe your skills in a new light, to find a renewed sense of purpose in a world that's constantly evolving. Remember, transitions are less about leaving something behind and more about moving towards new possibilities.
Keep learning,
The RB Team