Also apologies for the video. This was actually my first video (but decided to upload later), and had no idea how to work the camera! Still learning :D
I came from a Literature background, did marketing jobs, decided I wanted to be a UX researcher and literally from your videos I realised it was not impossible . I reviewed how marketing can apply to UX principles, I studied online, build my portfolio from scratch. And boom! Just landed a UX researcher role today. Thank you so much Kevin! You are inspirational.
Well, I am UX manager of TripAdvisor, and I have kind of same story as you. I am the international student from China, After I graduated from master of Marketing Research, I could not find any job in the US. I sent 500+ resume online and try to talk with any HR, but they all highlighted that I did not have any experience, dude, how could I get experience if nobody want entry level researcher? So I back to China, walked in a Germany marketing research firm and ask HR to set an interview with me. Luckily, she gave me a chance to do it and I did! So after 4 years UX job, here I am, very happy to my job and title, love to do UX, and, nice one Kevin!
Hi Sir, I am in hospitality sector from last 8 years but somehow now it is not working for me in relation to salary and job timings. I wanted to do UX so just want to understand can i switch now to this industry with no designer background and at the age of 30 Iam seeking for mental gratification please suggest.
@Yi Zhong I was persuading my friend with a Psych background to take on UX research. Reading your comment, I might want to stop the push... Sending out 500 resumes sounds pretty intimidating. I guess there are not enough positions for researchers. Designer positions are much easier to reach.
Thankyou Kevin it's heavy relatable but the only difference is I haven't got the job yet but after watching your video I decided to not give up 💫 and thanks to TH-cam for suggesting it😄
Your story is so inspiring. I am currently “funemployed” due to being laid off during COVID-19. I studied Psychology and thought pursuing a career in Mental Health was what I wanted to do but after a couple years in the MH community I feel like it isn’t the right fit for me. Currently Looking into UX and this is a very helpful video!
Yayyyyyy!!😻 But not yay for the funemployed part, although it could be a yay?....it's all relative!! Thanks for watching, and good luck on your journey, Audrey!! Happy new year and may 2021 be kickass
Hi Audrey! I'm kind of in the same boat as you, studied psych during undergrad and always planned to continue via grad school but realized that ultimately isn't for me. I'm just starting looking into UX and I'm curious if you did ultimately decide to pursue UX, and how are thing now 10 months later after leaving this comment? Thanks!
Yes! So similar to mine! I worked in social field for more than a decade then suddenly I was contacted by Apple and ended up with almost 5?years working as data specialist for Apple. Then accidentally found a video about UX and was surprised to find this is exactly what I was looking for… now I am studying UX and hope to get a job soon… ☺️
@@dananino7155 I am studying UX/UI with CareerFoundry and I LOVE it! It’s very well organised and I’ve done a lot of practical work so far! I recommend it to anyone who wants to study UX/UI
Half way through listening and I had to comment. This sounds SO similar! I've been in academia (I know the pace). I have so much energy to give and want to have the option for growth and professional development. Last year I became a certified Software Developer- come to find out it led to my discovery of the word "UX" and "UX Research" and it was like the stars aligned. With a BA in Anthropology and Biology I knew I wanted to do more than work in a lab. Thank you for sharing. It shows your humility and honesty about the time and uncertainty you went through during a transitional time. Very relatable and inspiring!
OMG! till 8:45 the story you told is exactly what I am going through right now. I am still growing and learning and making my own projects and still waiting for my rewards (which I believe I will get soon). After watching this video I am so relieved to know that I am not the only one in this kind of things, many people are there who go through the same stuffs. Thanks for sharing your story.
I am transitioning from a 20+ year career as a healthcare care provider, placing and managing critically ill patients on life support machines. Over time I wasn’t fulfilled, always stressed, when patients died, I took those feelings home with me.. over years. I decided that I wanted to transition into tech, and enrolled in graduate school studying Technology Management. I stumbled upon a UX elective and fell instantly in love with the process. I’m learning Figma, brushing up on some Adobe software, and enrolled in Google UX on Coursera + my university courses. I am currently experiencing the same with ingesting loads of information, but haven’t started designing yet and haven’t applied to any positions. But I like this route of conducting research, as my undergraduate and some parts of graduate studies are heavily research focused. (And I love research so it’s a win-win). Thank you for making this video. I’m late to the party but watching it has been very informative.
Hi, Kevin, I have transferred from biology to UX this year, and just landed a job in March , as UX designer! Your experience is really similar to mine. Cheers!
I’m coming from psych/ social work and counseling. I feel like I’ve burned out but it’s also not stimulating to me. I looked into ux and I was like- yes- something that will keep me learning, engaged and I can actually see the product of my work. Anyways I’m just starting. I am looking for a boot camp for knowledge and experience. So ya; that’s where I am now. I’m so happy to see people like you make these videos that are relatable but also helpful. Here’s hoping things change soon w the work I put in.
I had pretty much the exact same story! I studied Psychology and Linguistics - for me the tradition job options were clinical or academic. I loved the idea of research but could never consider finishing undergrad and doing another 4 years minimum of school. I never thought I had the tech skills to be able to work in tech and also thought that was reserved for developers etc. BANG I stumbled upon UX Research and it met all my criteria - people, critical analysis, continuous learning, problem solving, creativity. I haven't landed my first UX job but I'm currently upskilling for this year! Thanks for sharing your story!
Yes!! Thank you so much for sharing, Lauren! It's always so great to hear people's stories into UX because they're all so different, but ours definitely sound very similar! Good luck on your journey, feel free to let me know if you have any questions 😊
I am so inspired by this! My undergrad is in biospychology and I feel like I am going through the same struggle and experience that you went through. All of my friends are at these high paying jobs in NYC and I feel like I am not growing but I am always told I don't have industry experience when trying to transfer my research skills. This video was just what I need to find thanks for the inspiration!
Im transitioning from Architecture (the buildings one) to Product Design and boy is it hard but Im learning alot. Thanks for the relatable video, especially about feeling behind your peers.
i am from brazil and i studing for be a ux research. your story is very inspire to me. we live in countries differents but for your knowledge, you help me. tkx
Thanks for sharing your journey! I feel some kindred-spirit vibes here - I struggled with my path for a while too. It's good to see and hear a success story!
Kevin, you have no idea how watching this video was important to me. I have a bachelor's degree in Biology too and a Masters degree in History and Philosophy of Biology. But I really want to change my career and UX research seems a good fit for me. Thanks for doing this video!!!
Think you hit the nail on the head buddy when you transitions from reading about it to doing stuff. Tech and design are practical worlds. Prove to me that you can do the job! Do your own side project, launch it on kickstarter, take an existing product and do user testing on it, there are a gazillion ways to do the work before having the job, and it will be so much more appreciated than a "certificate" of an online course in UX or a masters!
Hey Kevin. I love your videos. I stumbled upon them last night and have watched a few. They give me hope, especially this one. I've been a web designer/front-end developer trying to break into UX and your videos act as a great guide. In fact, I practiced one of your research techniques today and posted up at a brewery whose website I am redesigning. I made a sign, much like the one you made for the coffee shop in this video, and interviewed several people. It was nerve-racking but also very exciting. I gained a lot of insight from users, reformulated my questions a couple of times and ultimately walked away with tons of information that will prove useful in my process. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work! I'll continue watching!
Hi Brady 👋 wow that is really amazing work and I commend you for stepping up to the challenge! I'm so glad my videos could help in some way! Would love to see what you find out from your study sometime! Mad love
Dude I LOVE the Starbucks research idea. Great out of the box thinking! I am in the early stages of a career change from teaching into UX. I will be exploring the other videos on your channel for sure.
Thank you for watching! And thank you! When people are pressed against a wall, we're forced to think creatively! Which I appreciated what this experience taught me. Thank you and please enjoy :)
I'm gonna give a try changing my career path from creative copywriter to UXR now, and I just went back to school for further study on HCI. Thanks for the clips. I think your videos really gave me some inspiration. XD
This is amazing! Thank you for the helpful video! I just learned about ux a month ago and I’m trying to learn as much a possible! This gave me so much hope!
Hey Kevin, this video was so inspiring I can't explain it. Your experience resonates so well with mine that it sounds like I am talking to myself. Dope!!! At this point in time, I am getting rejections from companies after companies because I only have B2B research experience and no B2C. Catch 22 moment!! So the part were you have to conduct your own research and fund it by yourself is where I am right now. Thanks again for such an inspiring video.
You're hilarious and humble. I'm over 50, transitioning from teaching English literature and copyediting (read bookworm who got tired of being broke) to hopefully becoming a more prosperous product designer.
Wow Kevin Liang! Thank you for uploading this video! Want to shout out to your ability to self-reflect and identify what was missing from your experience when starting to apply for roles and taking the actionable (and creative! love the coffee shop interviews) steps to turn knowledge into practice. I'm looking to transition to UXR from a clinical behavioural analysis background and have been on a similar journey (I chose the study in the evenings path). Your channel is a great resource for preparation, soft skills, and also a sense of connection when working through some of the hardest obstacles faced breaking into uxr. Thank you so much!
This was super encouraging especially when you hit that rebirth part. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I wish you a lot of health and happiness in 2020.
I just graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Anthropology. I've been thinking of applying there again for a PhD, but now I'm not so sure that I want to spend the rest of my life in academia. Now, I'm just seeing what else I can do (because I have also gained 20 lbs, I'm unemployed, and feeling kind of lost). This just inspired me to have fun with the process!
Keep at it and don't give up! I'm working on a portfolio video series for this channel and it's been quite difficult, too, but you (the viewers) give me hope! So I guess we give each other hope! 💪
I feel so relatable to me. I am thinking about UX research job however I have no experiences on products in business. I have been on academic field for years. I started googling and researching UX research myself. Thanks for sharing your story. It helps sooooo much
I am exactly same phase as you did for few years ago. I am glad to find this job, us researcher and your youtube too! I am trying to overcome my limitation
I’m appreciative that you shared your story. I consider myself an introvert as well but being in a Master’s Neuroscience program made me realize I was a people person. The monotony and slow pace you mentioned was something I felt didn’t align with where I wanted to go with my career. I’ve never heard anyone else share that connection until now, watching your video just sort of confirmed that I’m making the right choice in the pursuit to UX research. Thanks :)
First, your content is both relevant and relatable. It's been really helpful to watch your videos and learn! Second, I've been in a similar situation where I'm afraid to get out there and actually work on projects while I continue to learn and look for a job. Can't hide forever so I am going to do just that. Kind of relieved to know it's not just me though! :) PS: The background music works.
Hi man! Thanks for inspiring. Felt very relatable with this video since i hv psychology background and working in tech company-but i’m working as HR (recruiter). HR is great but you know, we need more exposure to direct customer, so UX is something that interests me currently. And i’m trying to find the sweet spot between psy & tech! Keep it up!
Thank you so much Kevin:) I am currently an architectural designer and planning to switch to UX design in the future. I am nervous about it and sometimes I feel lost.. your video and journey was very inspirational !
I’m heading into UXR from academia right now. Haven’t landed a job yet, though. Your videos are hugely beneficial for me to grasp the profession and framing the requirements of the day to day. Thank you. Just thank you.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey! I am currently in the Behavioral Sciences field and looking into a career change into UI/UX. For now, I'm trying to do my research and learn more from industry professionals about what I need to be hirable. I'm glad you were able to see the fruits of your labor, you deserve all the success that comes your way!
Thanks for the awesome introductory video, Kevin! I am pivoting from a psychology career to the UX/Product Design world, and your video only reinforced the belief that this is the right move for me to make. Now, on to the next video! (And I'm psyched (heh) to see ZeroToUX take off!)
Hello kevin, I am Astro from Taiwan. My background is chemistry and now I am pursuing the UX research job. I also have less industry experience (only two months user researcher intern at software company) and hate to networking(Haha). When I applying the job, the outcome always thanks letter. It is very pessimistic. After watching your UX journey, I feel more inspiring !!!! Very grateful for your story sharing
Man...at least you had an outstanding resume. Want to know what I got? I have a measly psychology degree and useless retail experience. My only hope of landing a UX job is probably earning a certification. These academic advisers never stressed the importance of experience in the outside world, so here I am. After finishing my 4 year degree and working for a year, I think I truly know what I want to do now. I guess that's the bright side to all I've been through. Just working a QA job for video game ,ATM, but hopefully one day I'll get to have UX as my occupation. Thanks for sharing your story, Kevin!
Everybody starts somewhere. I didn't see where I was going doing psychology research at the time, but I knew biology would be a dead end for me. If I hadn't known about UXR, I'd still be lost doing odd jobs probably! Watch my other video on tips to become a UXR! And yes I totally agree school doesn't prepare us with career choices enough. You have to find the right people and groups, they won't come to you unfortunately. Mad love!
@@zerotoux Thanks for the reply, and I've been watching! (Just not on this account.) I'll probably have to create a portfolio, just like what you did in Starbucks. Just gonna take a deep breath and try to build something day by day. Best of luck with your TH-cam career and everything else you're doing.
Yay, I needed this. I'm at the stage where I'm unemployed, gained 20 lbs., no social life, and about to be admitted into a psych ward. Let's rejoice! All because I don't know what to do with all the knowledge I've consumed after graduating college, then obtaining a certification in UX. Having been a student always sucks.
It's almost two years later but this video showed up on my TH-cam page today when I got the most upset and have thoughts of giving up. I synced with the part where I started googling about the field and packed myself in the library to study from 8am to 9pm day to day. Having also the same comments from people calling was definitely discouraging. It feels nice to know that someone experience is quite similar to mine, and to know that finally your hard work paid off. Thank you for making this video!
Thank you for watching, Zoe! I know how it feels, I was going to make a video about not giving up, since lately I've been receiving a lot of messages about giving up. COVID and 2020 doesn't help! But it will pay off! Stay strong, mad love!
I am glad I passed by this video, I just knew having a certification and possibly going to Boot Camp was not going to help that much. I was shocked when you said even internships would decline… but this really opened my eyes to actually start doing portfolios.
Hello! Love your videos, I found it enlightening. I'm transitioning careers in trying to get my foot in the door. I have many years of corporate pro experience. I recently graduated from a bootcamp school with a Full Stack Dev. Upon the days of graduating I was asked where I would like to work ....left me stump because I have no earthly clue! I dove into the Tech pool to read numerous of companies out there. I ran into UX Designer and I was curious "What is UX Designer". I ran into your video. Can't wait to review all others! Thank you for sharing your journey!
My background is in psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Currently doing my PhD in neuroeconomics and I AM MISERABLE! I am half way through my PhD and I feel like everything is so slow. I'm looking into other career options and one of them is to become a UX researcher. Thanks for the video :)
This happened to me. Apple called I didn’t get the job, but here I am with a BA in psych and and getting my MA in Behavior…. Considering UX Research now. Thank you for this video!
Hi Kevin. Your story is inspiring. I'm a UX designer looking to pivot into research because it's the part of UX that I really enjoy. I'm having lots of doubts, and insecurities about it because I don't have lots of experience in research. Your videos are very helpful in lighting a fire under me to keep going.
Hi Rick, thank you so much for saying that. I know you'll get where you want to be! Doubts and insecurities were a part of my journey (still is as I'm growing!). Best of luck, mad love and happy new years Keep me posted, Rick!
@@zerotoux Thank you. Since I'm new in this field, i have faced some difficulties in making the company i work for understand the need of UX in product development. Can you do a topic about blockers during doing UX in organization?
Great video! Thanks for sharing your story. I am finding more and more videos and blogs from UX UI professionals who joined the field from a non-tech related background. It's comforting to know that if I work to prove myself then I could break into it as well. Looking forward to more posts.
Thanks for sharing this part of your journey. You really did just further inspire me to continue my career switch into UX research. I have my masters in public health and up until Jan 2020 I worked in academic research settings. I understand what you mean about "change" being a slow process in that field. Personally, I also didn't like how academic researchers often used grants and publications to compare themselves to each other. I found the environment toxic to my mental health. I Jan 2020, I got a job with NYC's health department. When COVID made its way to the city, I got switched into a qualitative analyst role. I've worked on qualitative projects before facilitating interviews and focus groups; I even assisted in analyzing the qual data collected. My COVID response role has me working with a variety of qual data sources, but the most exciting data I've gotten to work with has been qualitative social media data. This sparked my interest in UX research because I began thinking about ways to use this experience to enhance my career development. Because I don't have experience specifically in UX research, I've recently reached out to a fitness app startup and offered my assistance in gratuity. I'm being transparent with them by letting them know I'm offering free assistance because I want to show I can apply the research experience I do have to UX. I also do like the concept behind the fitness app they're developing, so I don't mind doing the work without being paid. At least for now lol. Anyway, I just wanted to share this and thank you again for further inspiring me.
I totally feel you on the academic comparison, ivory tower-esque competition thing. So happy to hear of you taking initiative and volunteering with some startups!! That's good hustle right there, Freddy. Good luck on it and lemme know if you have questions about it!! Thank you again for watching and sharing your story as well !! Happy new year!! 🥳 mad love
Hi Kevin, I really liked your video and I am will definitely be watching your other videos. I have a background in Advertising and Journalism and decided to learn a new language and moved from Brazil to Canada. Been here for 4 years working in the event industry and Education industry and also got my Marketing Business Diploma. Always loved research, human behaviour, talking to people but never worked with research per se. Had a professor in one of my Research classes who said it was a very hard field to get into which made me feel lost. Lost my job during the pandemic and decided to study UX research a month ago. I am still in the process of learning and even though I feel at a disadvantage with English not being my native language, I am very excited for this new path I decided to take. I am sure your videos will be of great help to me.
I did my master in cognitive sciences and then did a UX design course, now I am applying for jobs but getting a rejection on a daily basis. But I am motivated and optimistic that soon I will get a job.
i'm doing cognitive science now but i'm not going to be applying for a job i'm hoping to get an internship summer 2021. I can't wait to be done with finals so I can do what I want to do - LEARN UX DESIGN!!!
Hi! I’m about to graduate from my bachelors in Art and Art History and I applied for grad school but got rejected. It’s been more like a redirection towards UX which I didn’t know about either, but it’s been fun! I’m taking a course online and I spend most of my time studying and reading about everything related to it. I am barely starting this journey, and I’m grateful to have found this video. I related to your story, I laughed and I also ended the video feeling inspired and hopeful. Thank you for that!
Yes!! It's not rejection, it's redirection! Thank you so much for watching - and welcome to your UX journey - I hope I can help out in any way I can and provide stories from my own struggles and experiences to help :) mad love
Dude! This was inspiring. Kudos for putting forth the grunt work in applying & immersing yourself not only in theory but also in action, literally "going out into the field" and working towards where you're at now. It's not easy but it requires patience & determination... My journey into UXR was way different! Short version: In 2016, I completed a UX bootcamp (w/ mixed feelings on bootcamps) - not feeling job ready - I reenrolled back to school to finish getting my BA degree - took more UX & graphic design courses (also worked full time in customer service at a start up.) Struggled for a while - but being in school allowed me apply to at internships (Experience is key!) - While my classmates slept, I applied everywhere! - out of the blue, the VP of UX at NBCUniversal reached out for an internship opportunity. I interviewed. I got it. That shifted my life. Went on to intern full time as a UX researcher at both Ticketmaster and now Disney - getting my degree this year (finally) - always learning, growing, and continuing to level up as a UX designer & researcher. Cheers!
Hi Juan, thanks for watching and for sharing! Your path into UXR being contacted by the VP of UX sounds so dope! UX at DISNEY?? sounds pretty magical, I know a few friends who would be so jealous!
Hi Kevin! Your story blew my mind! Your background is so similar to my own! Well, except for the fact that I live in Moscow. And what you achieved is very close to what I’m trying to find for myself right now. Look: I chose Biology as my major in College, but then switched to Psychology; while I was studying I was trying to find a job in tech (cause I was always obsessed with tech) and after a year of searching I got a part time job in UX team in a small design company! Then guess what, I changed two positions, graduated with MSc in Psy, and for the last 4 years I have been working in one of the best Russian tech companies, leading search engine, Yandex! Now I want to get some personal growth so I started looking for jobs outside Russia. I know stats and data analysis in R pretty well, but most of my ux interviews were in Russia and language barrier might be a bit of a challenge. So it’s hard to estimate my chances. Can you give me some advice? Where to start? Is it common to hire foreign researchers? Thanks for your story, it is really inspiring to me. Best of luck!
Hey Лёша, thanks for sharing your journey! I'm not familiar with the Russian market, but certainly larger companies tend to have international presence where they may have opportunities in their offices. I know for the US at least that they require work visas or citizenship. So in short, there may be larger companies you can look for - they might have UX research opportunities :)
I’m planning to do my masters in Cognitive Neuroscience. This has been in the plans for over a year but I’m suddenly scared that I won’t survive in academia. I looked up other careers and unfortunately most of them need technical knowledge that I do not possess. UX design is the first suitable option I’ve heard of that is in line with my interest. Thank you for introducing me to it. Now I know if academia doesn’t work out, I might have a chance somewhere else.
Wow! Thank you for sharing you adventure!!! You have inspired me on my new journey :) !!! You have given me a clue to my treasure hunt. Super excited!!!!
Hey Kevin. Wow this is crazy. So up to this point I've still been on the pre med route and I'm still set to take my MCAT in the Fall. However, I've been on the fence somewhat. I did take some time off of school and went back to finish my degree. Because of this, I'm somewhat reluctant to dedicate what would seem to be at least 7 more years of my time for my career and financial security to take shape. Like you I've started mapping out other back up careers. I recently talked to my cousin's significant other at a family function who I learned was in the UX field. I started doing some digging, came across your video and to my surprise it seems like we share almost identical stories. Naturally with my degree I've had to take some psyche and soc courses (obviously this is a requirement for medical school). I do have undergraduate research experience however my experience is mostly bench research, not human based. Do you think this would translate and serve as a good stepping stone for a ux internship?
Hey Luke! Thanks for sharing your story. Having done research in general is perfect for an internship. If you've taken psych and soc classes you'll have some exposure to behavioural research as well, so both together would make you a force to be reckoned with! I'd start focusing more on the behavioural aspects of research if you want to get into UX research
Thanks for sharing your story! I just got my masters in I/O psych and I am pretty certain I want to get into UX. I thought I was too tech deficient or even too old. This video really helped to answer some questions about getting into the field! Thank you!
Hi Kevin, just want to tell you I actually loved the vid thanks a lot for it. At the moment I'm an ex math teacher who got into a career I didn't want to be in finding out that i'm quite introverted. A friend of mine told a career as a data scientist might be good for me so I studied that for a year but the coding side is definitely a struggle for me. I've been doing a lot of researching and asking around and so far UX is the most interesting industry as it links to tech to me. With time i've developed a love for psychology and being inquisitive so hopefully this could be for me.
Welcome to your UX journey! Thank you so much for watching :) lemme know if there are any videos you'd like me to create! I also have a few videos for a long livestream Q&A I did with viewers who had many great questions! Check that out!
I'm finishing up my MA in Forensic Mental Health Counseling right now, and I decided that I want to go into UX research, so I'm looking for jobs in the field right now. I have a similar background to you, and making the mindset shift from therapy to tech it's really crazy but exciting to me!! I laughed when you mentioned academic research being slow because that's EXACTLY why I think I'll prefer UX research to the psych research I've done. I feel way better after watching this video!!
I'm graduating this summer with anthropology, history, and sociology and I know I want to be in this field, but i'm so lost in how to start. I have great research skills and projects to show for it, but internship requirements with wireframing/prototyping programs discourage me and confuse me. This video really helped me get a clearer view of how it can start.
Thanks for watching, Beesly! Internships requiring prototyping and wireframing are probably UX or UI design, not research positions. My company, Upwork, is hiring a UXR intern this summer, check it out!!,
I love you videos. Very informative for someone new in the field like myself. I’m a Snr Sales Manager within the hospitality industry, but I recently decided to try something more challenging and at the same time interesting. Keep up the good job.
I'm a second year student studying b.des ux/ui .I would like to pursue my career as a UX RESEARCHER in the industry. Today i was searching for ux reasearch videos , found your channel , your journey is amazing. THANKYOU !! Hoping your videos would inspire me to achieve the same. Fingers Crossed !
Omg, thank you for sharing your story, I feel the same, I am working on my Ph.D. but I feel that it's so slow, academia world is a slow process and I am planning to move on to become a UX researcher.
Thanks for posting this Kevin! I could pretty much imagine the despair you must've been feeling in unemployment, feeling like you've fallen into a maze of a rabbit hole, because I've been through something similar. I'm a copywriter, who has a little experience in design and working with designers, and have been in denial that I probably enjoy coding more than I've been wanting to admit because I've struggled with math and programming courses at school, so for a long time, I didn't think doing anything tech-y as a career is possible for me. I brought up the despair part because...I'm about to make another major change in my life, and while knowing the possibilities of what might lay ahead brings ne comfort, I'm also feeling anxious. Having realized the things I mentioned about myself and more, I stumbled upon UX and I'm thinking I wanna be a UX engineer. I'm still not quite sure how to pivot to that but your video gave me hope. Maybe it's not that far a reach as I think. So again, thank you for sharing your journey.
Hi Nikki, thank you for watching and especially for sharing your current story. Despair was definitely part of it, anxiety and uncertainty about the future, as well. But it's not that far reach! I recently spoke with a UX Designer who's in his 40s (and recorded our conversation for TH-cam which will be out in about a month!!). It took him about 20 years to get into UX after weaving in and out of different IT roles. His passion is in creative arts, and he eventually found his way into UX - sometimes the journey may be windy, but it'll be worth it! I wish you best of luck and let me know how I can help! You can join the Zero to UX Slack channel where there's a community of others doing the same :) Thanks again for watching and your comment!
Im right now transitioning from my current (tedious and draining) HR job to ux design. I graduated with a BA in psychology and i am terrified to make this transition but feel motivated to make a change. I know many say that UX is just the career for those who want a change in career (which guilty of) but hearing stories of peoples successes, struggles, and advice really helps.
OMG I love your channel. This story is so inspiring! I was a UI designer when I first graduated then transfered to UX. Now I'm so interested into UX research. Your channel is really helpful on that. Love it! Keep posting more video Kevin! (This is literally first time I commenting people's videos on TH-cam because I really love it!)
Smart to have backups. That’s also how I got into Psych, which is actually the most applicable background for UXR, and it was the best thing I did. Because in Psych I was lucky to have a Human Factors professor teach an entry level course and mentioned HF/UXR and I knew I needed to pursue that M.S.
Great, informative and funny video! Thanks, Kevin! I am also coming from a psychology background, BSc Psychology with Cog Neuro, and I feel the same about academia. I did multiple smaller research projects throughout the degree, assisted at one PhD students' behavioural study, co-created three bigger res projects. The process really gets daunting, it being so slow and solitary (I did only online research during covid). In my three years at Uni I think I also haven't ever heard anyone mentioning UX, nor did I speak with my friends about it. Now that I discovered how many research skills I already have and how they can be transferred to the UX I am just as hyped at getting into the field as you were at the begging of your journey. :-) Will surely watch more of your content. Thank you and all the best!
I have worked as UX designer in 1 year. But my skills are focus on the research. Some people advice me can switch my career path to be a UX researcher. I think your sharing can help me. Thank you, Kevin!
What is (or was) your current journey into UX??
Also apologies for the video. This was actually my first video (but decided to upload later), and had no idea how to work the camera! Still learning :D
can u link me the BCG case studies?
Kevin Liang hey I am curious to know about your research, what type of research did you do?
@@zerotoux As a fellow 'relatively YT fresher', I think your skills are already pretty good, dude!
I am a polymer engineer ( Chemistry) and I want to switch to UX?
Is it possible Kevin?
I came from a Literature background, did marketing jobs, decided I wanted to be a UX researcher and literally from your videos I realised it was not impossible . I reviewed how marketing can apply to UX principles, I studied online, build my portfolio from scratch. And boom! Just landed a UX researcher role today. Thank you so much Kevin! You are inspirational.
How long did all of take? 6 months or years?
Osm🥰
Which course did you take ???Are you still in the field?
Well, I am UX manager of TripAdvisor, and I have kind of same story as you. I am the international student from China, After I graduated from master of Marketing Research, I could not find any job in the US. I sent 500+ resume online and try to talk with any HR, but they all highlighted that I did not have any experience, dude, how could I get experience if nobody want entry level researcher? So I back to China, walked in a Germany marketing research firm and ask HR to set an interview with me. Luckily, she gave me a chance to do it and I did! So after 4 years UX job, here I am, very happy to my job and title, love to do UX, and, nice one Kevin!
Good
Hi Sir,
I am in hospitality sector from last 8 years but somehow now it is not working for me in relation to salary and job timings.
I wanted to do UX so just want to understand can i switch now to this industry with no designer background and at the age of 30
Iam seeking for mental gratification please suggest.
@Yi Zhong I was persuading my friend with a Psych background to take on UX research. Reading your comment, I might want to stop the push... Sending out 500 resumes sounds pretty intimidating. I guess there are not enough positions for researchers. Designer positions are much easier to reach.
Yi Zhong lol me
@Yi Zhong Want to become a designer then? Seeking a UX designer position is easier
Thankyou Kevin it's heavy relatable but the only difference is I haven't got the job yet but after watching your video I decided to not give up 💫 and thanks to TH-cam for suggesting it😄
Aww THANK YOU!! more power to you!! 🦾i'm glad it can inspire you :)
Your story is so inspiring. I am currently “funemployed” due to being laid off during COVID-19. I studied Psychology and thought pursuing a career in Mental Health was what I wanted to do but after a couple years in the MH community I feel like it isn’t the right fit for me. Currently Looking into UX and this is a very helpful video!
Yayyyyyy!!😻 But not yay for the funemployed part, although it could be a yay?....it's all relative!!
Thanks for watching, and good luck on your journey, Audrey!! Happy new year and may 2021 be kickass
Hi Audrey! I'm kind of in the same boat as you, studied psych during undergrad and always planned to continue via grad school but realized that ultimately isn't for me. I'm just starting looking into UX and I'm curious if you did ultimately decide to pursue UX, and how are thing now 10 months later after leaving this comment? Thanks!
Yes! So similar to mine! I worked in social field for more than a decade then suddenly I was contacted by Apple and ended up with almost 5?years working as data specialist for Apple. Then accidentally found a video about UX and was surprised to find this is exactly what I was looking for… now I am studying UX and hope to get a job soon… ☺️
@@oxanabanaruc what course are you taking for Ux research? How do you like it?
@@dananino7155 I am studying UX/UI with CareerFoundry and I LOVE it! It’s very well organised and I’ve done a lot of practical work so far! I recommend it to anyone who wants to study UX/UI
Half way through listening and I had to comment. This sounds SO similar! I've been in academia (I know the pace). I have so much energy to give and want to have the option for growth and professional development. Last year I became a certified Software Developer- come to find out it led to my discovery of the word "UX" and "UX Research" and it was like the stars aligned. With a BA in Anthropology and Biology I knew I wanted to do more than work in a lab. Thank you for sharing. It shows your humility and honesty about the time and uncertainty you went through during a transitional time. Very relatable and inspiring!
OMG! till 8:45 the story you told is exactly what I am going through right now. I am still growing and learning and making my own projects and still waiting for my rewards (which I believe I will get soon). After watching this video I am so relieved to know that I am not the only one in this kind of things, many people are there who go through the same stuffs. Thanks for sharing your story.
You got this!!! 💪
Cant get any more realistic and relatable than that. Thanks for inspiring us!
I am transitioning from a 20+ year career as a healthcare care provider, placing and managing critically ill patients on life support machines. Over time I wasn’t fulfilled, always stressed, when patients died, I took those feelings home with me.. over years. I decided that I wanted to transition into tech, and enrolled in graduate school studying Technology Management. I stumbled upon a UX elective and fell instantly in love with the process. I’m learning Figma, brushing up on some Adobe software, and enrolled in Google UX on Coursera + my university courses. I am currently experiencing the same with ingesting loads of information, but haven’t started designing yet and haven’t applied to any positions. But I like this route of conducting research, as my undergraduate and some parts of graduate studies are heavily research focused. (And I love research so it’s a win-win). Thank you for making this video. I’m late to the party but watching it has been very informative.
Never too late to start! Thanks for sharing your story!! I imagine that job being difficult especially going home with those feelings.
Hi, Kevin, I have transferred from biology to UX this year, and just landed a job in March , as UX designer! Your experience is really similar to mine. Cheers!
Dope, congratulations, Jackie!!! That's awesome! 😍🎉 Would love to hear how you did it!
Hey jackie, im right now working in HR and wanting to switch to UX design. Any tips or piece of advice?
Hi Jackie do you have any advice on your transition
Hey Jackie.. I am doing psychology and want to switch to ux design.. Any advice ?
Just found your channel today and subscribed. LOVED hearing your story & the coffee shop research - perfect!!
Thanks so much for watching and for your support 🤗!! Welcome!
I’m coming from psych/ social work and counseling. I feel like I’ve burned out but it’s also not stimulating to me. I looked into ux and I was like- yes- something that will keep me learning, engaged and I can actually see the product of my work. Anyways I’m just starting. I am looking for a boot camp for knowledge and experience. So ya; that’s where I am now. I’m so happy to see people like you make these videos that are relatable but also helpful. Here’s hoping things change soon w the work I put in.
Hey:) I'm super curious to see where you have ended up at!
I had pretty much the exact same story! I studied Psychology and Linguistics - for me the tradition job options were clinical or academic. I loved the idea of research but could never consider finishing undergrad and doing another 4 years minimum of school. I never thought I had the tech skills to be able to work in tech and also thought that was reserved for developers etc. BANG I stumbled upon UX Research and it met all my criteria - people, critical analysis, continuous learning, problem solving, creativity. I haven't landed my first UX job but I'm currently upskilling for this year! Thanks for sharing your story!
Yes!! Thank you so much for sharing, Lauren! It's always so great to hear people's stories into UX because they're all so different, but ours definitely sound very similar! Good luck on your journey, feel free to let me know if you have any questions 😊
Any update?
I am so inspired by this! My undergrad is in biospychology and I feel like I am going through the same struggle and experience that you went through. All of my friends are at these high paying jobs in NYC and I feel like I am not growing but I am always told I don't have industry experience when trying to transfer my research skills. This video was just what I need to find thanks for the inspiration!
Just starting from no experience at all from a suggestion from an acquaintance. Somewhat intimidating but I'm all in. Thanks for the intro!
Im transitioning from Architecture (the buildings one) to Product Design and boy is it hard but Im learning alot. Thanks for the relatable video, especially about feeling behind your peers.
You got this!! Architecture does through a lot of design principles and problem solving I imagine, so leverage your strengths! 💪
Thanks for sharing your journey! Your optimism and ambition for getting your dream job is very inspirational!
Asian here, and a therapist. Whole life of being in mental health. This is super inspiring for me. Thanks!!!!
i am from brazil and i studing for be a ux research. your story is very inspire to me. we live in countries differents but for your knowledge, you help me. tkx
Thanks for sharing your journey! I feel some kindred-spirit vibes here - I struggled with my path for a while too. It's good to see and hear a success story!
Kevin, you have no idea how watching this video was important to me. I have a bachelor's degree in Biology too and a Masters degree in History and Philosophy of Biology. But I really want to change my career and UX research seems a good fit for me. Thanks for doing this video!!!
Hi Livia, thank you so much, it's a great path to be in, hope I can be of help in your journey!
Think you hit the nail on the head buddy when you transitions from reading about it to doing stuff.
Tech and design are practical worlds. Prove to me that you can do the job! Do your own side project, launch it on kickstarter, take an existing product and do user testing on it, there are a gazillion ways to do the work before having the job, and it will be so much more appreciated than a "certificate" of an online course in UX or a masters!
Absolutely!
Hey Kevin. I love your videos. I stumbled upon them last night and have watched a few. They give me hope, especially this one. I've been a web designer/front-end developer trying to break into UX and your videos act as a great guide. In fact, I practiced one of your research techniques today and posted up at a brewery whose website I am redesigning. I made a sign, much like the one you made for the coffee shop in this video, and interviewed several people. It was nerve-racking but also very exciting. I gained a lot of insight from users, reformulated my questions a couple of times and ultimately walked away with tons of information that will prove useful in my process. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work! I'll continue watching!
Hi Brady 👋 wow that is really amazing work and I commend you for stepping up to the challenge! I'm so glad my videos could help in some way!
Would love to see what you find out from your study sometime! Mad love
Dude I LOVE the Starbucks research idea. Great out of the box thinking! I am in the early stages of a career change from teaching into UX. I will be exploring the other videos on your channel for sure.
Thank you for watching! And thank you! When people are pressed against a wall, we're forced to think creatively! Which I appreciated what this experience taught me. Thank you and please enjoy :)
I'm gonna give a try changing my career path from creative copywriter to UXR now, and I just went back to school for further study on HCI. Thanks for the clips. I think your videos really gave me some inspiration. XD
Let's goooooooo!!!!!!
This is amazing! Thank you for the helpful video! I just learned about ux a month ago and I’m trying to learn as much a possible! This gave me so much hope!
Hey Kevin, this video was so inspiring I can't explain it. Your experience resonates so well with mine that it sounds like I am talking to myself. Dope!!! At this point in time, I am getting rejections from companies after companies because I only have B2B research experience and no B2C. Catch 22 moment!! So the part were you have to conduct your own research and fund it by yourself is where I am right now. Thanks again for such an inspiring video.
You're hilarious and humble. I'm over 50, transitioning from teaching English literature and copyediting (read bookworm who got tired of being broke) to hopefully becoming a more prosperous product designer.
Thank you, Tulasi! I feel ya there - never too early/late to get started! Welcome to the UXR journey :) kick butt!!
Wow Kevin Liang! Thank you for uploading this video! Want to shout out to your ability to self-reflect and identify what was missing from your experience when starting to apply for roles and taking the actionable (and creative! love the coffee shop interviews) steps to turn knowledge into practice. I'm looking to transition to UXR from a clinical behavioural analysis background and have been on a similar journey (I chose the study in the evenings path). Your channel is a great resource for preparation, soft skills, and also a sense of connection when working through some of the hardest obstacles faced breaking into uxr. Thank you so much!
This was super encouraging especially when you hit that rebirth part. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I wish you a lot of health and happiness in 2020.
Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words. Same to you!!
I just graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in Anthropology. I've been thinking of applying there again for a PhD, but now I'm not so sure that I want to spend the rest of my life in academia. Now, I'm just seeing what else I can do (because I have also gained 20 lbs, I'm unemployed, and feeling kind of lost). This just inspired me to have fun with the process!
Congratz 😻 go Bears!! Omg yeah...I hear ya. Have fun with the process and welcome to the UXR journey!! ✌️🥳
Hey Kevin. Thanks for posting this video. Its very authentic and your excitement and willingness to share comes across very strongly and real.
Hi Kevin! Thank you so much for this video! I am encouraged to keep working on my portfolio now. It’s definitely frustrating, but you gave me hope!
Keep at it and don't give up!
I'm working on a portfolio video series for this channel and it's been quite difficult, too, but you (the viewers) give me hope!
So I guess we give each other hope! 💪
I feel so relatable to me. I am thinking about UX research job however I have no experiences on products in business. I have been on academic field for years. I started googling and researching UX research myself. Thanks for sharing your story. It helps sooooo much
I'm a junior game designer who's also interested in UX. Saw this video. Loved it. Subscribed.
I am exactly same phase as you did for few years ago. I am glad to find this job, us researcher and your youtube too! I am trying to overcome my limitation
You got this, Sara!! Good luck and lemme know what videos you'd like to see and how I can help!! Mad love!
I’m appreciative that you shared your story. I consider myself an introvert as well but being in a Master’s Neuroscience program made me realize I was a people person. The monotony and slow pace you mentioned was something I felt didn’t align with where I wanted to go with my career. I’ve never heard anyone else share that connection until now, watching your video just sort of confirmed that I’m making the right choice in the pursuit to UX research. Thanks :)
Hey! I also just finished a neuroscience masters and I feel the same! I wonder if you could share your experience? :)
First, your content is both relevant and relatable. It's been really helpful to watch your videos and learn! Second, I've been in a similar situation where I'm afraid to get out there and actually work on projects while I continue to learn and look for a job. Can't hide forever so I am going to do just that. Kind of relieved to know it's not just me though! :)
PS: The background music works.
Thanks for watching, Priya! You can do it! It'll be worthwhile :)
Hi man! Thanks for inspiring. Felt very relatable with this video since i hv psychology background and working in tech company-but i’m working as HR (recruiter). HR is great but you know, we need more exposure to direct customer, so UX is something that interests me currently. And i’m trying to find the sweet spot between psy & tech! Keep it up!
Thank you for sharing your story. Truely inspiring.
This is awesome and so inspirational! Also Psychology!! We have such similar backgrounds lol. I really like how you speak on camera btw. SO GOOD
Thanks!!! Hahah and oh my gosh, if only you saw the behind the scenes... Tons of fails and struggle, but glad it came out halfway decent!
@@zerotoux Yesss keep going it's awesome!
Thank you so much Kevin:) I am currently an architectural designer and planning to switch to UX design in the future. I am nervous about it and sometimes I feel lost.. your video and journey was very inspirational !
I’m heading into UXR from academia right now. Haven’t landed a job yet, though. Your videos are hugely beneficial for me to grasp the profession and framing the requirements of the day to day. Thank you. Just thank you.
Thank you so much and welcome to your journey into UXR!! You got this :)
Hi Kevin, thank you for sharing your story. I am in the frustrating stage and waiting for the turning point. Your video gave me hope!
Thanks so much for sharing your journey! I am currently in the Behavioral Sciences field and looking into a career change into UI/UX. For now, I'm trying to do my research and learn more from industry professionals about what I need to be hirable. I'm glad you were able to see the fruits of your labor, you deserve all the success that comes your way!
You are the best, honestly, I am not saying this for just to be nice ,you ARE the BEST!!! ❤️🥰
YOU ARE!!!! Thanks for watching and for your kind comments JW!! :D
Thanks for the awesome introductory video, Kevin! I am pivoting from a psychology career to the UX/Product Design world, and your video only reinforced the belief that this is the right move for me to make. Now, on to the next video! (And I'm psyched (heh) to see ZeroToUX take off!)
Hello kevin, I am Astro from Taiwan. My background is chemistry and now I am pursuing the UX research job. I also have less industry experience (only two months user researcher intern at software company) and hate to networking(Haha). When I applying the job, the outcome always thanks letter. It is very pessimistic. After watching your UX journey, I feel more inspiring !!!!
Very grateful for your story sharing
Man, what a storyteller! Loved this one, Kevin!
Thanks for watching, Omar! I gotta credit public speaking classes and learning from great speakers!
Man...at least you had an outstanding resume. Want to know what I got? I have a measly psychology degree and useless retail experience. My only hope of landing a UX job is probably earning a certification. These academic advisers never stressed the importance of experience in the outside world, so here I am. After finishing my 4 year degree and working for a year, I think I truly know what I want to do now. I guess that's the bright side to all I've been through. Just working a QA job for video game ,ATM, but hopefully one day I'll get to have UX as my occupation. Thanks for sharing your story, Kevin!
Everybody starts somewhere. I didn't see where I was going doing psychology research at the time, but I knew biology would be a dead end for me. If I hadn't known about UXR, I'd still be lost doing odd jobs probably!
Watch my other video on tips to become a UXR!
And yes I totally agree school doesn't prepare us with career choices enough. You have to find the right people and groups, they won't come to you unfortunately. Mad love!
@@zerotoux Thanks for the reply, and I've been watching! (Just not on this account.) I'll probably have to create a portfolio, just like what you did in Starbucks. Just gonna take a deep breath and try to build something day by day. Best of luck with your TH-cam career and everything else you're doing.
Great hero's journey. Love the hustle (sign in Starbucks). Well deserved!
Thank you for watching and for the support, Rich!!
Yay, I needed this. I'm at the stage where I'm unemployed, gained 20 lbs., no social life, and about to be admitted into a psych ward. Let's rejoice!
All because I don't know what to do with all the knowledge I've consumed after graduating college, then obtaining a certification in UX. Having been a student always sucks.
I know all the feelz. Hope my channel can help propel you into the UX world!
It's almost two years later but this video showed up on my TH-cam page today when I got the most upset and have thoughts of giving up. I synced with the part where I started googling about the field and packed myself in the library to study from 8am to 9pm day to day. Having also the same comments from people calling was definitely discouraging. It feels nice to know that someone experience is quite similar to mine, and to know that finally your hard work paid off. Thank you for making this video!
Thank you for watching, Zoe! I know how it feels, I was going to make a video about not giving up, since lately I've been receiving a lot of messages about giving up. COVID and 2020 doesn't help! But it will pay off! Stay strong, mad love!
I am glad I passed by this video, I just knew having a certification and possibly going to Boot Camp was not going to help that much. I was shocked when you said even internships would decline… but this really opened my eyes to actually start doing portfolios.
Hello! Love your videos, I found it enlightening. I'm transitioning careers in trying to get my foot in the door. I have many years of corporate pro experience. I recently graduated from a bootcamp school with a Full Stack Dev. Upon the days of graduating I was asked where I would like to work ....left me stump because I have no earthly clue! I dove into the Tech pool to read numerous of companies out there. I ran into UX Designer and I was curious "What is UX Designer". I ran into your video. Can't wait to review all others! Thank you for sharing your journey!
My background is in psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Currently doing my PhD in neuroeconomics and I AM MISERABLE! I am half way through my PhD and I feel like everything is so slow. I'm looking into other career options and one of them is to become a UX researcher. Thanks for the video :)
Neuroeconomics!! that sounds cool! I'm sure it's gonna be super useful for the UX field! You got this!!
I did a course in social neuroscience, but my background is in visual arts and Im researcher in the human machine relation
This happened to me. Apple called I didn’t get the job, but here I am with a BA in psych and and getting my MA in Behavior…. Considering UX Research now. Thank you for this video!
Thanks for watching, Casey!! Hey, maybe a blessing in disguise! ;) Good luck on the UXR journey! Lemme know if you have any questions
Hi Kevin. Your story is inspiring. I'm a UX designer looking to pivot into research because it's the part of UX that I really enjoy. I'm having lots of doubts, and insecurities about it because I don't have lots of experience in research. Your videos are very helpful in lighting a fire under me to keep going.
Hi Rick, thank you so much for saying that. I know you'll get where you want to be! Doubts and insecurities were a part of my journey (still is as I'm growing!). Best of luck, mad love and happy new years
Keep me posted, Rick!
I transfer from graphic design to UX this year with no experiences in this field and I feel so lost. Thanks for your video, i know that I'm not alone
You're definitely not alone! Lemme know what things you'd like to see next!
@@zerotoux Thank you. Since I'm new in this field, i have faced some difficulties in making the company i work for understand the need of UX in product development. Can you do a topic about blockers during doing UX in organization?
Great video! Thanks for sharing your story. I am finding more and more videos and blogs from UX UI professionals who joined the field from a non-tech related background. It's comforting to know that if I work to prove myself then I could break into it as well. Looking forward to more posts.
Thanks for sharing this part of your journey. You really did just further inspire me to continue my career switch into UX research.
I have my masters in public health and up until Jan 2020 I worked in academic research settings. I understand what you mean about "change" being a slow process in that field. Personally, I also didn't like how academic researchers often used grants and publications to compare themselves to each other. I found the environment toxic to my mental health. I Jan 2020, I got a job with NYC's health department. When COVID made its way to the city, I got switched into a qualitative analyst role. I've worked on qualitative projects before facilitating interviews and focus groups; I even assisted in analyzing the qual data collected. My COVID response role has me working with a variety of qual data sources, but the most exciting data I've gotten to work with has been qualitative social media data. This sparked my interest in UX research because I began thinking about ways to use this experience to enhance my career development.
Because I don't have experience specifically in UX research, I've recently reached out to a fitness app startup and offered my assistance in gratuity. I'm being transparent with them by letting them know I'm offering free assistance because I want to show I can apply the research experience I do have to UX. I also do like the concept behind the fitness app they're developing, so I don't mind doing the work without being paid. At least for now lol. Anyway, I just wanted to share this and thank you again for further inspiring me.
I totally feel you on the academic comparison, ivory tower-esque competition thing. So happy to hear of you taking initiative and volunteering with some startups!! That's good hustle right there, Freddy. Good luck on it and lemme know if you have questions about it!!
Thank you again for watching and sharing your story as well !!
Happy new year!! 🥳 mad love
Hi Kevin, I really liked your video and I am will definitely be watching your other videos. I have a background in Advertising and Journalism and decided to learn a new language and moved from Brazil to Canada. Been here for 4 years working in the event industry and Education industry and also got my Marketing Business Diploma. Always loved research, human behaviour, talking to people but never worked with research per se. Had a professor in one of my Research classes who said it was a very hard field to get into which made me feel lost. Lost my job during the pandemic and decided to study UX research a month ago. I am still in the process of learning and even though I feel at a disadvantage with English not being my native language, I am very excited for this new path I decided to take. I am sure your videos will be of great help to me.
Thank you! You made me feel like I can make a jump into the ux world successfully🍀
Thanks to the recommendation algorithm. Really inspiring story :)
Thank you for watching Xianxian!
I did my master in cognitive sciences and then did a UX design course, now I am applying for jobs but getting a rejection on a daily basis. But I am motivated and optimistic that soon I will get a job.
Stay optimistic, friend! Landing a job is definitely a marathon and not a sprint. You got this
@Suhaib , did master in cognitive Science isn't enough for UX researcher job, I had been listening this is enough. Thanks for your comment
@@sargambox6234 yes it would be enough for ux research
how is it going?
i'm doing cognitive science now but i'm not going to be applying for a job i'm hoping to get an internship summer 2021. I can't wait to be done with finals so I can do what I want to do - LEARN UX DESIGN!!!
Hi! I’m about to graduate from my bachelors in Art and Art History and I applied for grad school but got rejected. It’s been more like a redirection towards UX which I didn’t know about either, but it’s been fun! I’m taking a course online and I spend most of my time studying and reading about everything related to it. I am barely starting this journey, and I’m grateful to have found this video. I related to your story, I laughed and I also ended the video feeling inspired and hopeful. Thank you for that!
Yes!! It's not rejection, it's redirection! Thank you so much for watching - and welcome to your UX journey - I hope I can help out in any way I can and provide stories from my own struggles and experiences to help :) mad love
The Starbucks interview idea is gold!!
Definitely gotta hustle!!
Dude! This was inspiring. Kudos for putting forth the grunt work in applying & immersing yourself not only in theory but also in action, literally "going out into the field" and working towards where you're at now. It's not easy but it requires patience & determination... My journey into UXR was way different! Short version: In 2016, I completed a UX bootcamp (w/ mixed feelings on bootcamps) - not feeling job ready - I reenrolled back to school to finish getting my BA degree - took more UX & graphic design courses (also worked full time in customer service at a start up.) Struggled for a while - but being in school allowed me apply to at internships (Experience is key!) - While my classmates slept, I applied everywhere! - out of the blue, the VP of UX at NBCUniversal reached out for an internship opportunity. I interviewed. I got it. That shifted my life. Went on to intern full time as a UX researcher at both Ticketmaster and now Disney - getting my degree this year (finally) - always learning, growing, and continuing to level up as a UX designer & researcher. Cheers!
Hi Juan, thanks for watching and for sharing! Your path into UXR being contacted by the VP of UX sounds so dope! UX at DISNEY?? sounds pretty magical, I know a few friends who would be so jealous!
Hi Kevin! Your story blew my mind! Your background is so similar to my own! Well, except for the fact that I live in Moscow. And what you achieved is very close to what I’m trying to find for myself right now.
Look: I chose Biology as my major in College, but then switched to Psychology; while I was studying I was trying to find a job in tech (cause I was always obsessed with tech) and after a year of searching I got a part time job in UX team in a small design company! Then guess what, I changed two positions, graduated with MSc in Psy, and for the last 4 years I have been working in one of the best Russian tech companies, leading search engine, Yandex!
Now I want to get some personal growth so I started looking for jobs outside Russia. I know stats and data analysis in R pretty well, but most of my ux interviews were in Russia and language barrier might be a bit of a challenge. So it’s hard to estimate my chances.
Can you give me some advice? Where to start? Is it common to hire foreign researchers?
Thanks for your story, it is really inspiring to me. Best of luck!
Hey Лёша, thanks for sharing your journey! I'm not familiar with the Russian market, but certainly larger companies tend to have international presence where they may have opportunities in their offices.
I know for the US at least that they require work visas or citizenship. So in short, there may be larger companies you can look for - they might have UX research opportunities :)
Kevin Liang thank for answering! Will be try :)
I’m planning to do my masters in Cognitive Neuroscience. This has been in the plans for over a year but I’m suddenly scared that I won’t survive in academia. I looked up other careers and unfortunately most of them need technical knowledge that I do not possess. UX design is the first suitable option I’ve heard of that is in line with my interest. Thank you for introducing me to it. Now I know if academia doesn’t work out, I might have a chance somewhere else.
Wow literally the same story. I'm a Biology major with a minor in psychology. You're an inspiration dude!
Woot woot! How is your journey into UX (if that's your journey)?
Wow! Thank you for sharing you adventure!!! You have inspired me on my new journey :) !!! You have given me a clue to my treasure hunt. Super excited!!!!
Thank you for your kind words!! Lemme know when you get the treasure!! Mad love!
Hey Kevin. Wow this is crazy. So up to this point I've still been on the pre med route and I'm still set to take my MCAT in the Fall. However, I've been on the fence somewhat. I did take some time off of school and went back to finish my degree. Because of this, I'm somewhat reluctant to dedicate what would seem to be at least 7 more years of my time for my career and financial security to take shape. Like you I've started mapping out other back up careers. I recently talked to my cousin's significant other at a family function who I learned was in the UX field. I started doing some digging, came across your video and to my surprise it seems like we share almost identical stories.
Naturally with my degree I've had to take some psyche and soc courses (obviously this is a requirement for medical school). I do have undergraduate research experience however my experience is mostly bench research, not human based. Do you think this would translate and serve as a good stepping stone for a ux internship?
Hey Luke! Thanks for sharing your story. Having done research in general is perfect for an internship. If you've taken psych and soc classes you'll have some exposure to behavioural research as well, so both together would make you a force to be reckoned with! I'd start focusing more on the behavioural aspects of research if you want to get into UX research
Thanks for sharing your story! I just got my masters in I/O psych and I am pretty certain I want to get into UX. I thought I was too tech deficient or even too old. This video really helped to answer some questions about getting into the field! Thank you!
Dude you are inspiring and killing it!
Thanks so much!!
Hi Kevin, just want to tell you I actually loved the vid thanks a lot for it. At the moment I'm an ex math teacher who got into a career I didn't want to be in finding out that i'm quite introverted. A friend of mine told a career as a data scientist might be good for me so I studied that for a year but the coding side is definitely a struggle for me. I've been doing a lot of researching and asking around and so far UX is the most interesting industry as it links to tech to me. With time i've developed a love for psychology and being inquisitive so hopefully this could be for me.
Welcome to your UX journey! Thank you so much for watching :) lemme know if there are any videos you'd like me to create! I also have a few videos for a long livestream Q&A I did with viewers who had many great questions! Check that out!
Kevin Liang will do
Hey Kevin, this video is so encouraging! We all get lost sometimes and I think I get a little bit inspired by your experience. Thank you so much.
I'm finishing up my MA in Forensic Mental Health Counseling right now, and I decided that I want to go into UX research, so I'm looking for jobs in the field right now. I have a similar background to you, and making the mindset shift from therapy to tech it's really crazy but exciting to me!! I laughed when you mentioned academic research being slow because that's EXACTLY why I think I'll prefer UX research to the psych research I've done. I feel way better after watching this video!!
I'm graduating this summer with anthropology, history, and sociology and I know I want to be in this field, but i'm so lost in how to start. I have great research skills and projects to show for it, but internship requirements with wireframing/prototyping programs discourage me and confuse me. This video really helped me get a clearer view of how it can start.
Thanks for watching, Beesly! Internships requiring prototyping and wireframing are probably UX or UI design, not research positions.
My company, Upwork, is hiring a UXR intern this summer, check it out!!,
I love you videos. Very informative for someone new in the field like myself. I’m a Snr Sales Manager within the hospitality industry, but I recently decided to try something more challenging and at the same time interesting. Keep up the good job.
Thank you for watching! Hope my videos can help!
Thank you for sharing your story! I’m currently working on becoming a UX researcher and I find this video is very inspiring!
Thank you for watching, Cedric! You got this!
holy crap this is so helpful and so inspiring! thx so much for telling your story in such an authentic way!
Thanks ,Faith!!! Welcome, badass UX leader ✌️🤩🥳
Thanks Kevin for sharing your experience. You rock, dude!
Thank you, Emma! YOU rock!!! ✌️
Thank you dor your story man!
I'm on the crossroads of my career and an honest story shared gives me a lot of hope. Thanks!
Yes!!! Good luck on the journey :) Thank you for watching, Suraj!
This was so funny and helpful at the same time. Appreciate it 🙌
I'm a second year student studying b.des ux/ui .I would like to pursue my career as a UX RESEARCHER in the industry. Today i was searching for ux reasearch videos , found your channel , your journey is amazing. THANKYOU !! Hoping your videos would inspire me to achieve the same. Fingers Crossed !
What an awesome video! Thank you for being authentic and sharing.
Omg! Similar storyyyyyy, but no job yet. almost there. Thanks for the motivation. Creating a UX Portfolio right now
You got this, Yolany!!!
Omg, thank you for sharing your story, I feel the same, I am working on my Ph.D. but I feel that it's so slow, academia world is a slow process and I am planning to move on to become a UX researcher.
Hey not bad, keep up the good work. I’m entering this field now so I’m finally relieve that my skills will be appreciated now
You got this!
Kevin Liang thanks dude. Appreciate it
Thanks for posting this Kevin! I could pretty much imagine the despair you must've been feeling in unemployment, feeling like you've fallen into a maze of a rabbit hole, because I've been through something similar. I'm a copywriter, who has a little experience in design and working with designers, and have been in denial that I probably enjoy coding more than I've been wanting to admit because I've struggled with math and programming courses at school, so for a long time, I didn't think doing anything tech-y as a career is possible for me.
I brought up the despair part because...I'm about to make another major change in my life, and while knowing the possibilities of what might lay ahead brings ne comfort, I'm also feeling anxious.
Having realized the things I mentioned about myself and more, I stumbled upon UX and I'm thinking I wanna be a UX engineer. I'm still not quite sure how to pivot to that but your video gave me hope. Maybe it's not that far a reach as I think.
So again, thank you for sharing your journey.
Hi Nikki, thank you for watching and especially for sharing your current story. Despair was definitely part of it, anxiety and uncertainty about the future, as well. But it's not that far reach! I recently spoke with a UX Designer who's in his 40s (and recorded our conversation for TH-cam which will be out in about a month!!). It took him about 20 years to get into UX after weaving in and out of different IT roles. His passion is in creative arts, and he eventually found his way into UX - sometimes the journey may be windy, but it'll be worth it!
I wish you best of luck and let me know how I can help! You can join the Zero to UX Slack channel where there's a community of others doing the same :)
Thanks again for watching and your comment!
@Kevin Liang looking forward to the video!
That slack channel sounds cool! How do I get on that?
Thank you for your story. I find this when I feel tired. This so inspired me.
Im right now transitioning from my current (tedious and draining) HR job to ux design. I graduated with a BA in psychology and i am terrified to make this transition but feel motivated to make a change. I know many say that UX is just the career for those who want a change in career (which guilty of) but hearing stories of peoples successes, struggles, and advice really helps.
OMG I love your channel. This story is so inspiring! I was a UI designer when I first graduated then transfered to UX. Now I'm so interested into UX research. Your channel is really helpful on that. Love it! Keep posting more video Kevin! (This is literally first time I commenting people's videos on TH-cam because I really love it!)
😲 such an honor to have your first comment!!! 🙏 Very happy to hear it's been helpful and thanks for your support, Judy!
Smart to have backups. That’s also how I got into Psych, which is actually the most applicable background for UXR, and it was the best thing I did. Because in Psych I was lucky to have a Human Factors professor teach an entry level course and mentioned HF/UXR and I knew I needed to pursue that M.S.
Wonderful story! Bravo!!! 💪💪 And yes, you have the storytelling skill that I recently discovered is necessary for UXR.
Thank you so much!
Great, informative and funny video! Thanks, Kevin!
I am also coming from a psychology background, BSc Psychology with Cog Neuro, and I feel the same about academia. I did multiple smaller research projects throughout the degree, assisted at one PhD students' behavioural study, co-created three bigger res projects. The process really gets daunting, it being so slow and solitary (I did only online research during covid). In my three years at Uni I think I also haven't ever heard anyone mentioning UX, nor did I speak with my friends about it. Now that I discovered how many research skills I already have and how they can be transferred to the UX I am just as hyped at getting into the field as you were at the begging of your journey. :-) Will surely watch more of your content. Thank you and all the best!
Kevin this is so inspiring! You'll overcome anything in life.
I have worked as UX designer in 1 year. But my skills are focus on the research. Some people advice me can switch my career path to be a UX researcher. I think your sharing can help me. Thank you, Kevin!
How did you do it? How hard was it? And how is it now?
Aw thanks for making this video! I'm coming from psychology background and I'm also looking into UX as well!
Thanks so much for watching! I hope it can help inspire people and be less fearful of the journey!