Your UX Career Path: In-house, agency, both or neither?
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The document explores various UX career paths, highlighting the perspectives of professionals through surveys and interviews. Key findings indicate that UX professionals who experience diverse work environments tend to feel more successful and satisfied in their roles. It also outlines the pros and cons of different career options and provides suggestions for personal and professional development in the field.
Your UX Career Path: In-house, agency, both or neither?
- 1. Hello
- 2. Your UX Career Path: In-house, agency, both or neither?
- 3. What’s your next move?
- 5. In-house, agency, both or neither? ! This is a superficial question.
- 6. The deeper question: ! What leads to UX career satisfaction?
- 7. Research
- 8. Approach • Surveyed 96 UX Pros • Interviewed 11 UX Pros • Joined discussions online • Discussed with colleagues
- 9. What is your role? User Experience Designer Interaction Designer Information Architect User Researcher User Interface Designer Experience Designer 0 12.5 25 37.5 50
- 10. What is the highest level of education you have completed? High School Some College Bachelor's Master's Graduate 0 15 30 45 60
- 11. Where do you work today? Design Firm or Agency In-house at a Large Company Freelancer or Consultant 0 12.5 25 37.5 50
- 12. How many years of experience do you have in this role? Less than 2 3 to 5 5 to 7 7 to 10 10 to 15 15 or more 0 7 14 21 28
- 13. Key Findings
- 14. 1. UX Pros that have worked in a variety of places are perceived to be more successful by their peers
- 15. The most successful user experience professionals I know have worked: In-house only Agency only Freelance only In-house + Agency In-house + Agency + Freelance 0 10 20 30 40 *Not even close to statistically significant
- 16. 2. People working in UX feel happy and successful
- 17. I love what I do. Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree 0 12.5 25 37.5 50
- 18. Based on my own definition of success, I feel I am successful in my career today. Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree 0 15 30 45 60
- 19. I am happy with my current overall compensation. Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree 0 15 30 45 60
- 20. I am happy with the level of autonomy I have in my job. Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree 0 10 20 30 40
- 21. My current job enables me to get better at skills that matter to me. Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree 0 12.5 25 37.5 50
- 22. My current job enables me to do what I like to do in the service of something larger than myself. Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree 0 12.5 25 37.5 50
- 24. –Dan Pink “Pay people enough so that they’re not thinking about money and they’re thinking about the work. Once you do that, it turns out there are three factors that the science shows lead to better performance, not to mention personal satisfaction: autonomy, mastery, and purpose.” http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/05/09/daniel-pink-drive-rsa-motivation/
- 26. Just a Few • In-house at a Large Company or Org • In-house at a Start-up • Agency or Design Firm • Freelance or Consulting
- 27. In-house at a Large Company
- 28. Pros • Resources (financial and otherwise) • Long-term involvement in projects • Stability and predictability • The ability to take ownership • Career path options (CXO?)
- 29. - Khoi Vinh “I think being "in-house" is the best job a designer can have at this point in time. It allows you to really get a product right, which is, more than any other factor, what's necessary to succeed in digital media.”
- 30. Cons • You may be led towards specialization • You may work on the same project for years • Expect politics
- 31. In-house at a Start-up
- 32. Pros • Dynamic and exciting • Close knit team of dedicated people • Exposure to different roles and responsibilities • Special financial opportunities (if you’re lucky)
- 33. Cons • You may be the only UX pro on the team • When things get bad, they can get personal • You have a greater chance of getting laid off • Longer hours may be the norm
- 34. Agencies & Design Firms
- 35. Pros • Exposure to a variety of project types • Opportunities to network • At smaller shops you can be a generalist • Client service is rewarding
- 36. Cons • Less influence and involvement on products • It can be very deadline driven • You’ll encounter bad clients from time to time • There could be bench time • Your performance is tied to billable time
- 37. Freelancing
- 38. Pros • Be your own boss • You can potentially make more money • Learn about business (on training wheels) • Work from home, Mexico, or anywhere
- 39. Cons • You need to market and find clients • Downtime can be financially stressful • Fewer opportunities to collaborate and learn • You may get lonely • Early in your career this could stunt growth
- 42. 1. Discover what makes you happiest and pursue it
- 43. I love what I do. Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree 0 12.5 25 37.5 50
- 44. 2. Define success for yourself
- 45. Based on my own definition of success, I feel I am successful in my career today. Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree or Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree 0 15 30 45 60
- 46. 3. Work in a field or industry that aligns with your values
- 48. 5. Evaluate the culture of an employer by looking at the founders
- 49. 6. Determine how hard you want to work
- 50. 7. Early in your career, find a job that enables you to work with as many talented people as you can
- 51. 8. Early on, don’t stay in one place too long
- 52. 9. Take risks when you’re starting out
- 53. 10. Avoid specialization, be a generalist
- 54. but…
- 55. 11. Don’t try to be an expert in everything
- 56. T I N T E R E S T/ E X P E R I E N C E SPECIALIZATION
- 57. 12. Compliment your core skills
- 58. Consider • Enhancing your writing / speaking skills • Study graphic design and typography • Code a little • Learn about project management • Learn about business & finance • Learn about the sales process
- 59. 13. Network, go to events, reach out on social media, talk about what you do everywhere you go
- 60. 14. Accept that it’s ok “not to know” and reach out to an expert
- 61. Tell them “I don’t know, but I will find out”
- 62. 15. Be aware of internal politics and realize you are not immune
- 63. 16. Understand your employer’s (and client’s) financial health
- 64. 17. Always have your portfolio or resume ready
- 65. 18. Determine if you’re interested in a management track, if you are, plan ahead
- 66. 19. Don’t get stuck thinking you need to pay your dues too long–when you feel ready, go for it
- 67. 20. Analyze your setbacks and learn from them
- 68. One more option
- 69. –William Blake “I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s.”
- 71. Better yet, design a business
- 72. Can I help you? ! matt@fellswoop.com 206-369-1919