Key lessons from shift into a design role, highlighting career growth that goes way beyond just sharpening design skills.
Making the shift from a business career to UX/UI design was a major turning point for me, and the journey has been both exciting and challenging. As a non-EU candidate searching for a UX design internship while pursuing my Service Design master's degree in Europe, I faced numerous obstacles -- language barriers, visa issues, and no prior design experience. Despite these hurdles, after sending out over 20 applications, I landed a UX design internship with the world's largest brewing company. Now, after a month and a half in the role, I've reflected on the key lessons I've learned about career development and the journey to finding the right opportunity.
After joining the company, one of the most valuable steps I took was finding a mentor. At first, I hesitated, unsure if I was "ready" to ask for help and worried about being seen as unprepared. However, I quickly realized that seeking mentorship is both common and crucial to gain insight from those who have walked the same path.
The journey begins with identifying the right mentor -- someone whose experience and strengths align with your own goals. Engage with people who specialize in areas that interest you, and be open to their feedback. My curiosity led me to ask my mentor, who also happened to be my manager and interviewer, a question that had been lingering in my mind: "Why did I get the role?" I wanted to understand what made me stand out. The answer was eye-opening: it wasn't just about my technical skills, but how well I had prepared and demonstrated authenticity throughout the interview process.
My mentor emphasized that preparation goes beyond memorizing the best pattern of answers from videos or articles -- candidates often make the mistake of using the same rehearsed responses, which interviewers can easily spot. Instead, It's about truly knowing yourself, your work, and how your skills align with the role. Tailoring my case study to reflect the responsibilities of the job was crucial. Authenticity is key -- when you genuinely know your strengths, weaknesses, and how they fit within the company.
Beyond technical skills, the attitude and approach to teamwork played a big role. During the interview, having demonstrated it is important to be adaptable, open to feedback, and genuinely interested in collaboration. People want to work with individuals who are not only skilled but who are easy to communicate with and willing to grow. Throughout the process, I learned that receiving feedback should never be taken personally. Instead, it's an opportunity to improve. Being receptive to constructive criticism and using it to grow can made you a stronger candidate.
Key piece of advice that I have learn and stuck with me is that: people can work incredibly hard, but if they don't make their efforts visible, they risk being overlooked.
It's not enough to just work hard -- you need to make sure people see the impact you're making. So, while hard work is crucial, it's equally important to create opportunities to showcase that work.
Find ways to step into the spotlight, whether it's by leading meetings or sharing progress with your team. And in the process, you'll not only grow your presence but also improve your storytelling and presentation skills.
As an intern, I was lucky to get plenty of chances to step up and prove my value. Started small, volunteering to run daily stand-ups and lead weekly meetings. It was the perfect way for an introvert like me to break out of my comfort zone. Not only did it make me more visible to the team, but it also helped me level up my communication and leadership skills. One big lesson I picked up about presenting is that you don't have to be perfect. Don't read off a script or try to memorize every word. When you're natural, people connect with you so much easier, and that's what really matters.
In the past month, I had a chance to join in a career management session with department lead, where the session focused on aligning career growth with our core selves. She encouraged to think beyond today and envision a long-term end-goal for my career. While it might sound straightforward in theory, I believe it's crucial to take the time and genuinely put in the work to make it meaningful.
One thing I found particularly insightful is how we often overlook the importance of actively planning our career growth. It's easy to get stuck following a traditional path and let job titles dictate our direction. Instead, creating a personal blueprint can help us discover what truly drives us, potentially leading to a different path altogether. This approach allows for flexibility and openness to growth, helping us adapt our career trajectory to fit new opportunities and changes along the way.
These were a few key aspects that might help guide better reflection and planning.
Values self: Understanding What Drives me. as these are the foundation for making meaningful career decisions. I reflected on what gives me energy and excitement, which clarified what kind of work environments and challenges fuel my passion
Emotional Self: The focus was on figuring out what I genuinely enjoy doing. Main question is: "If you had unlimited time and resources, what would you spend your days doing?" This helped me reflect on what truly motivates me, which is critical when aligning personal fulfillment with career goals.
Mental Self: Focusing on my strengths and areas for growth that support my mental well-being has been key. Recognizing what I naturally excel at and where I can improve gave me a clearer understanding of how to shape my career path and create a plan for personal development.
Physical Environment: Finally, how to create a work environment that supports my physical well-being. Having an effective space for productivity, while also ensuring balance in my life, is essential for long-term success.
The session made it clear that there are countless ways to reach the same goal, It's crucial to figure out which skills are absolute must-haves and which are just nice-to-haves for your dream role. Self-assessment is like your personal career adventure map: by getting a clear view of where you are now, you can plot the most exciting and strategic route to your goals.
Drawing from Past Experiences to Thrive
This process of self-discovery led me to realize how valuable these insights are for building a strong career and personal brand. As a designer, being mindful of your personal branding is crucial -- it shapes how others perceive your work and can open doors to new opportunities.
It's also important to embrace your previous experiences, even if they aren't directly related to design. These past roles can actually provide unique advantages in UX, so never shy away from incorporating them into your narrative. This can open up new roles and directions you may not have considered. The lessons I've learned reinforce the idea that there's no single "right" way to grow in UX or similar roles.
The path can be challenging, but with clear self-awareness and the courage to explore different routes, we will find the space that best fits us. It's vital to stay true to your own working style, and don't hesitate to ask for help when needed. Show up with responsibility, keep refining your skills, and let your work speak for itself.
Ultimately, managing your career and personal branding is about staying proactive -- taking control of your growth, and knowing how to present your best self to the world.
