Getting into a UX design career has become incredibly popular lately. It’s almost like a modern day gold rush.
As a result, there are a lot of companies capitalizing on the sudden increase in attention toward tech design jobs by creating products people can buy to help them get into those types of careers.
One specific thing that I get a ton of questions about is UX design bootcamps.
The Truth about UX Design Bootcamps
If you’ve googled UX design or maybe even talked about it in earshot of your Alexa you’ve probably gotten some advertisements for a UX design bootcamp.
These bootcamps come with some pretty hefty promises. Things like job guarantees or not having to pay anything up front are almost a requirement to even get noticed by eager UX design newbies.
But, how truthful are those promises?
Are the price tags of those bootcamps really worth what you get from them?
What’s Right for You Isn’t So Black & White
The price ranges on these bootcamps can be pretty broad. Some start at $3,000 and others go all the way up to $20,000.
And, the feedback on all of these programs from former students has broad range of consensus as well. Some people absolutely loved the program they went through while others felt like it was a waste of time and money.
With the amount it costs and the time it takes to go through these programs it’s important to know if a UX design bootcamp is right for you.
That’s the topic of this weeks episode with Jessica Gaddis.
Jessica is a self-taught product designer who has worked at places like Netflix and Twitter.
She encourages people to really consider your goals and options before you make a commitment to spend the kind of money a UX design bootcamp requires.
The Self-Taught UX Design Route
When Jessica was getting started she gave herself $1,000 to educate herself on UX design before she started applying for positions. And, that small investment turned into some big returns.
But, she knows that route isn’t for everyone.
It’s important to know things like
- What motivates you to keep going when you’re frustrated
- The learning style that best suites you
- The way you build relationships with people in the same career field
All of that and more will help you determine whether or not a UX design bootcamp is right for you.
Bottom line, you will not want to miss this episode.
You’ll Learn
- How to use your previous career to strengthen a new career in UX design
- The problem with UX design bootcamps
- How to be a UX designer without being artistic
- The truth about bootcamp job guarantees
- The importance of building a network of relationships to advance your career
- How tech companies can lower the barrier to entry for people trying to get into the design field
- The future of careers in the design field
- The best way to prepare for a UX designer interview
- How to own up to your own mistakes as a UX designer and learn from them
- How to take feedback as a UX designer
- How to advance your UX design career with peer mentorship
- What’s in the future for UX designers
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