{"id":6568,"date":"2022-05-03T10:20:03","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T10:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/?p=6568"},"modified":"2024-01-16T14:42:28","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T14:42:28","slug":"barriers-of-entry-career-ux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/barriers-of-entry-career-ux\/","title":{"rendered":"8 barriers of entry to a career in UX and how to overcome them"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you want to become a UX designer but haven\u2019t yet taken the leap, you\u2019ve probably come up against at least one barrier of entry to the field. There are lots of potential blockers that might be deterring you\u2014from logistical and circumstantial hurdles to the not-insignificant matter of self-doubt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To help you conquer whatever\u2019s standing in your way, we\u2019ve put together eight of the most common barriers of entry to a career in UX, together with some practical, expert advice on how to overcome them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UX barrier of entry #1: Not having any professional experience in UX or a design-related field<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You want to become a UX designer but you don\u2019t have any experience in the field. You\u2019re coming from a completely unrelated career path and you can\u2019t see any logical connection between your current or previous jobs and the UX designer role.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a barrier of entry to UX that many new designers face and there\u2019s no denying that you will have an advantage if you can demonstrate some relevant experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But how do you do that if you\u2019re coming from a completely different industry?<\/span><\/p>\n

First, it\u2019s important to reconsider your definition of \u201crelated\u201d or \u201crelevant\u201d. UX actually relies on a variety of transferable skills such as communication, research, a user-centric mindset, problem-solving and empathy. These aren\u2019t unique to UX and you\u2019ve probably already been honing them throughout your career without even realising.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Good UX is all about bringing in different perspectives\u2014which means that good UX designers come from all different backgrounds. We\u2019re actually seeing lots of nurses and teachers breaking into the field via our<\/span> UX Design Diploma<\/span><\/a> and they make great UX designers because they\u2019re already excellent communicators and problem-solvers, and they\u2019re highly people-focused.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not having any related experience can be a potential barrier of entry to UX, but the barrier probably isn\u2019t as high as you think. The key is to highlight your transferable skills and draw on your previous experience to bring value to the UX designer role.<\/span><\/p>\n

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[GET CERTIFIED IN UX]<\/p>\n Take our Professional Diploma in UX Design course<\/span>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

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UX barrier of entry #2: Not having a UX or design-related degree<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You might think you need a graduate or postgraduate degree to work in UX but that\u2019s not necessarily the case. Some companies will list a university degree as a requirement, but it\u2019s unlikely to be a dealbreaker if you tick the more important boxes (such as being able to demonstrate the right skills). And, if it is a steadfast requirement, a degree in an unrelated field will usually suffice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not having a university degree is a less significant barrier of entry to UX than you might think and there are several reasons why. For one, UX is a relatively new field (the term \u201cuser experience\u201d wasn\u2019t coined until the 1990s) so it\u2019s not a subject that has traditionally been taught at university. Employers are therefore generally not fazed by a candidate not having a related degree.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to remember that UX design is a very practical discipline which belongs to the tech world. Employers in the field aren\u2019t focused on university degrees and traditional qualifications; they actually just want to see that you\u2019ve got the skills to do the job\u2014regardless of whether you learnt those skills at university or elsewhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re worried that not having a degree will hold you back, you can follow the more flexible (and often more affordable) route of getting a UX design qualification through an online course or bootcamp. Much like coding bootcamps, UX courses have become the norm in the tech industry, and employers consider such qualifications as a viable alternative to a traditional degree. Some courses are even university credit-rated, so you can get the best of both worlds. We explain<\/span> what that means (and the benefits of choosing a university credit-rated UX certification) here<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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UX barrier of entry #3: Finding the time to train as a UX designer while keeping your job<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This barrier is very real, and it\u2019s one that many aspiring UX designers will relate to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019d love to throw yourself into UX and spend your days training for your new career\u2014but, the reality is, you have a full-time job or a family to care for, or both, and you\u2019re simply not in a position to drop all your responsibilities and become a full-time UX student.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no denying that learning UX is a time-consuming endeavour. Most people won\u2019t be in a position to quit their job and spend years at university or even to take time out to attend an intensive course or bootcamp.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are lots of courses out there which don\u2019t require you to attend in person or log on at certain times or even to dedicate a fixed number of hours each week. If your time is limited, find a completely flexible online course that will allow you to work through the materials at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In their<\/span> State of UX in 2022 report<\/span><\/a>, the UX Collective remarks that learning about UX design has \u201cshifted from in-person, intensive and expensive to remote and self-guided. Newly accessible formats include everything from online bootcamps to YouTube playlists, email-based courses, self-guided classes and more”.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, there\u2019s something for everyone when it comes to learning UX. We no longer live in a world where the only way to learn new skills is to sit in a classroom or a lecture theatre. The key is to make it work for you. Figure out how much time you can realistically carve out each week (or each month) and choose a course which accommodates that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Read our guide<\/a> on studying UX while working.<\/p>\n

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[GET CERTIFIED IN UX]<\/p>\n Take our Professional Diploma in UX Design course<\/span>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

UX barrier of entry #4: Building a UX portfolio without any industry experience<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A professional<\/span> UX portfolio<\/span><\/a> is a must if you want to get a job in the field. Of course, experienced UX designers have plenty of project work to showcase\u2014but, if you\u2019re a new UX designer, getting your portfolio off the ground can seem like a huge hurdle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To overcome this barrier of entry to UX, you\u2019ll need to be proactive and creative. That means finding your own opportunities to work your UX magic and turning them into fully-fledged projects for your portfolio.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the most common ways that new UX designers build up their portfolio without any on-the-job experience include unsolicited redesigns, taking on volunteer work and completing a UX course which includes project work in the curriculum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re concerned about being able to build an impressive portfolio as a new UX designer, we\u2019ve outlined<\/span> five tried-and-tested methods for finding UX portfolio projects in this post<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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UX barrier of entry #5: Not having the drawing skills or artistic ability to work as a designer<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is actually more of a myth than a legitimate hurdle. You might think that a design job requires loads of artistic flair or at least some basic drawing ability. But you\u2019d be wrong!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UX design isn\u2019t about aesthetics and visuals. That\u2019s the job of UI designers (if you\u2019re not familiar with UI, read<\/span> this introduction to UI design<\/span><\/a> and<\/span> this guide explaining what a UI designer does<\/span><\/a>). UX is concerned with the overall user experience of a product or service\u2014focusing on whether or not the experience is logical, efficient and user-friendly. It\u2019s about understanding the target user and designing in a way that solves their problems and pain-points. None of those things require you to whip up an artistic masterpiece!<\/span><\/p>\n

As a UX designer, your role will focus on<\/span> conducting research<\/span><\/a> to understand your target users\u2019 needs and then utilising these findings to map out the blueprint for a user-friendly product. The most artistic part of the job will be creating wireframes and prototypes\u2014and those are created using special tools and software. Again, no exceptional drawing skills needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you can problem-solve, use your empathy to channel the user\u2019s needs and get to grips with industry-standard<\/span> UX design tools<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ll be well on your way to a career in UX. You definitely don\u2019t need to be the next Picasso (or even come close).<\/span><\/p>\n

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UX barrier of entry #6: Being \u201ctoo old\u201d to start a new career<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions among aspiring UX designers: <\/span>Am I too old to become a UX designer?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If your age feels like a potential barrier of entry to UX, it\u2019s time to flip your outlook. UX design is all about creating products that are usable, accessible and enjoyable for everyone. That requires a diversity of perspectives\u2014not to mention a multitude of transferable skills and, of course, empathy. Your age (or, more specifically, your wealth of experience) can be a major asset to the role and good employers will recognise that.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still convinced that UX is reserved for 20-somethings? A<\/span> study by career firm Zippia<\/span><\/a> confirms otherwise. In a sample of over 30 million UX designer profiles, 39% (i.e. the majority) were over 40. 34% were aged between 30 and 40, while 27% were aged between 20 and 30.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So: You\u2019re not too old to become a UX designer, and you can overcome this perceived barrier of entry by viewing your age and experience as an asset rather than a drawback.<\/span><\/p>\n

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UX barrier of entry #7: Information overload\u2026 there\u2019s so much to learn, where do you start?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

UX is a vast field, and there\u2019s a lot to learn\u2014especially if you\u2019re starting from scratch. And, with such a boundless wealth of content out there, getting started at all can feel like a huge and insurmountable barrier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you\u2019re here reading this article, it seems like you\u2019re off to a good start: reading up on the field and making the most of free resources such as blog posts and<\/span> UX podcasts for beginners<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve got a good grounding in the basic theory and are familiar with some of the <\/span>key UX terminology<\/span>, the easiest and most effective way to overcome information overload is to take a UX design course. A course has the benefit of not only keeping you focused on learning the most important concepts and skills but also of making sure you learn them in the right order\u2014and breaking them down into bitesize chunks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New UX designers do have a lot to learn, it\u2019s true. But, with the right course, you can cut through the noise and focus your learning in the right areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

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UX barrier of entry #8: Standing out from other candidates in the crowded UX job market<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Another potential barrier of entry into UX is the challenge of standing out in the job market. With the proliferation of online courses and easily accessible options for studying UX, you might have concerns about being a small fish in a very big sea of newly-qualified designers competing for jobs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s true that UX design is becoming an increasingly popular career choice.<\/span> UX Collective<\/span><\/a> reports that over 900 new members join their UX group on LinkedIn every day and that over 400 thousand new UX designers have emerged from Google\u2019s new UX design course alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That sounds like a lot of UX designers\u2026 are there enough jobs for them all?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the growing popularity of UX as a career path, there is still a huge skills gap in this area. A key finding from<\/span> Hired.com\u2019s report<\/a> on the technology skills landscape<\/span> notes that \u201cThere is a significant gap opening up between the skills employees have and the skills employers want, especially in four key areas: data, security, UI, and UX\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet another trend highlighted in the UX Collective\u2019s<\/span> State of UX 2022 report<\/span><\/a> is how more and more companies are having to turn to freelance platforms to get their design work done. Per the report: \u201cCompanies that struggle to hire full-time designers end up tapping into Fiverr, Upwork, Toptal, and similar freelance platforms to meet their short-term needs\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

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UX continues to be a growing field with high demand for designers with all different kinds of backgrounds and skill sets. You may be one of many up-and-coming designers but your value is unique. As long as you can tell your own story through your UX portfolio and highlight the unique experience and perspectives you bring to the table, you\u2019ll be able to stand out as a worthy candidate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to be realistic and be aware of all the possible hurdles you might face when starting your career in UX. Just don\u2019t let them stand in your way for too long: take our advice and tear down those barriers one by one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you need some further inspiration, read<\/span> Vesna\u2019s story<\/a> of how she went from working as a hotel receptionist to becoming a UX designer<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What are the biggest barriers of entry to a career in UX and what can you do to overcome them? Find out here. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":9526,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[266,265],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-into-ux","category-career"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6568","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6568"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6568\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9787,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6568\/revisions\/9787"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9526"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6568"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6568"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uxdesigninstitute.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6568"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}