your ux career path: in-house, agency, both or neither?
DESCRIPTION
With User Experience designers in such high demand, those entering the field today have more choices than ever before. There’s no single right way to embark on your journey, but many before you have uncovered a path to success, so why not learn from them? Matt Dente has shared insights from surveys and interviews with UX professionals in this presentation. If you’re planning your first step in a career, or considering your next move, this presentation will provide insights that will help you make the right choices for your own path.TRANSCRIPT
Hello
Your UX Career Path: In-house, agency, both or neither?
What’s your next move?
In-house, agency, both or neither?
!
This is a superficial question.
The deeper question: !
What leads to UX career satisfaction?
Research
Approach• Surveyed 96 UX Pros • Interviewed 11 UX Pros • Joined discussions online • Discussed with colleagues
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
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
High School
Some College
Bachelor's
Master's
Graduate
0 15 30 45 60
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
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
Key Findings
1. UX Pros that have worked
in a variety of places are perceived to be more
successful by their peers
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
2. People working in
UX feel happy and successful
I love what I do.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
0 12.5 25 37.5 50
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
I am happy with my current overall compensation.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
0 15 30 45 60
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
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
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
Autonomy +
Mastery +
Purpose
–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/
Career Path Options
Just a Few• In-house at a Large Company or Org • In-house at a Start-up • Agency or Design Firm • Freelance or Consulting
In-house at a Large Company
Pros• Resources (financial and otherwise) • Long-term involvement in projects • Stability and predictability • The ability to take ownership • Career path options (CXO?)
- 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.”
Cons• You may be led towards specialization • You may work on the same project
for years • Expect politics
In-house at a Start-up
Pros• Dynamic and exciting • Close knit team of dedicated people • Exposure to different roles and
responsibilities • Special financial opportunities
(if you’re lucky)
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
Agencies & Design Firms
Pros• Exposure to a variety of project types • Opportunities to network • At smaller shops you can be a generalist • Client service is rewarding
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
Freelancing
Pros• Be your own boss • You can potentially make more money • Learn about business (on training wheels) • Work from home, Mexico, or anywhere
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
Things to Consider
11 interviews !
21 Suggestions
1. Discover what makes you
happiest and pursue it
I love what I do.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
0 12.5 25 37.5 50
2. Define success
for yourself
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
3. Work in a field or
industry that aligns with your values
4. Request informational
interviews
5. Evaluate the culture
of an employer by looking at the founders
6. Determine how hard you
want to work
7. Early in your career, find a job that enables you to
work with as many talented people as you can
8. Early on, don’t stay in
one place too long
9. Take risks when
you’re starting out
10. Avoid specialization,
be a generalist
but…
11. Don’t try to be an
expert in everything
TI N TERE ST/ EXPER I ENCE
SPECIA
LIZ
ATIO
N
12. Compliment
your core skills
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
13. Network, go to events,
reach out on social media, talk about what you do
everywhere you go
14. Accept that it’s ok
“not to know” and reach out to an expert
Tell them“I don’t know,
but I will find out”
15. Be aware of internal
politics and realize you are not immune
16. Understand your
employer’s (and client’s) financial health
17. Always have your
portfolio or resume ready
18. Determine if you’re
interested in a management track,
if you are, plan ahead
19. Don’t get stuck thinking
you need to pay your dues too long–when you feel
ready, go for it
20. Analyze your setbacks
and learn from them
One more option
–William Blake
“I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s.”
21. Start a business
Better yet, design a business
