In every UX career, there’s a quiet truth people rarely say out loud:
Your environment will grow you faster than your effort alone.
You can work hard, study late, and apply to every open role — but if you’re surrounded by people who don’t challenge your thinking, your growth slows down.
The opposite is also true.
Spend time around people who are curious, brave, and generous with their knowledge, and you’ll start to think and act differently.
In This Issue
Why Your Circle Matters More Than You Think
The 3 Types of People Who Shape Your Growth
How to Find (and Keep) the Right Mentors
Building a Circle When You Don’t Have One Yet
Red Flags: When Your Circle Holds You Back
Resource Corner
Why Your Circle Matters More Than You Think
Growth in UX isn’t linear, it’s relational.
The people around you determine how fast you learn, how deeply you think, and how boldly you act.
When your environment normalizes high standards, thoughtful critique, and curiosity, those habits become yours too.
“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”
The best UX professionals didn’t get there by luck, they built circles that pulled them upward.
The 3 Types of People Who Shape Your Growth
1. The Peer
They’re on your level, figuring things out, sharing wins and failures, keeping you accountable.
You grow together.
2. The Mentor
They’ve already walked your path.
They see what’s ahead when you can’t.
The best mentors don’t just give advice; they ask better questions.
3. The Challenger
They’re not always comfortable to be around, and that’s the point.
They question your assumptions and force you to justify your choices.
Challengers build your critical muscle.
If you have all three in your circle, you’re not just learning, you’re evolving.
How to Find (and Keep) the Right Mentors
Start with gratitude, not requests. Comment on their work. Share what you’ve learned from them.
Ask for stories, not opportunities. “How did you navigate your first UX transition?” goes farther than “Can you mentor me?”
Follow up with context. Tell them how their advice helped, even if it’s small. That’s how relationships grow over time.
Building a Circle When You Don’t Have One Yet
If you’re early in your UX journey or feel isolated:
Join UX Slack or Discord communities (like ADPList or UXMastery).
Attend local meetups or online workshops. Introduce yourself.
Offer value first: share resources, volunteer at events, give feedback on someone’s portfolio.
Relationships grow through contribution, not just connection.
Speaking of community - if you’re looking for a place to start, our Discord is for you.
Red Flags: When Your Circle Holds You Back
Sometimes your circle limits you without meaning to.
Watch for signs like:
People who dismiss your ambition (“That’s too much work for UX.”)
Conversations that only revolve around complaints, never ideas
Colleagues who gatekeep or compete instead of collaborate
Healthy circles make you feel inspired, not inferior.
Resource Corner
Final Thought
You don’t rise alone… you rise with the people beside you.
So audit your circle.
Who challenges you to grow?
Who helps you see blind spots?
Who reminds you of your worth when you forget?
Your professional circle isn’t just your network. It’s your growth environment.
Choose it intentionally. Nurture it consistently. And you’ll be amazed at how far and how fast you grow.
