Navigating the current job market for early career UX designers
Understanding what’s impacting the job market, whether to pursue a degree to increase chances of landing a UX job and when big companies are likely to start hiring again.
Last week, one of my former UX/UI Bootcamp students reached out with a question:
“I haven’t been having luck with interviews and all of the jobs that I have had have been through referral. I also haven’t been able to get a permanent position at a well established company. I have only had luck with working temporary jobs for start-ups and small companies.
I am thinking of taking competency based courses online to get a bachelor’s degree quickly. I figured that if I majored in software development it would compliment the UX skill set that I already have and I could apply to UX Engineer type positions. I wanted to know what your opinion is of this direction I am about to take.
I haven’t had a job since November of last year and I am thinking that at least having a bachelor’s degree would help to get employers to notice me. I have done some research on competency based online colleges and am currently looking at WGU’s software development program. I think this is the right move for me, but I am still somewhat hesitant because I don’t want it to be a big waste of time and money. Do you think there is another degree that would better compliment UX design? Please let me know if you have any thoughts about this direction of pursuing a bachelor’s degree to compliment UX skills and if you think it’s worth the time and money. Also I would love to hear any advice you can give on what kind of degree would assure that I can get a job even if it’s outside of UX Design. I really appreciate you keeping in contact long after the bootcamp and continuing to help.”
The job market for early career UX designers is undeniably challenging right now. Many talented individuals are finding it difficult to secure permanent positions at well-established companies. Instead, they often find themselves in temporary roles with startups and small businesses. This situation, though frustrating, is quite common given the current economic and political climate.
Let me explain what I think the factors contributing to this difficult job market are, the potential value of further education, and why I believe it will take another year for significant hiring to resume.
Understanding the Job Market Dynamics
The landscape of employment has shifted dramatically in the past few years. The ways startups and established businesses are run and funded have undergone significant changes, particularly in the last 18 months. This shift has affected hiring practices and job stability across the board. Even seasoned professionals are finding it challenging to navigate this new landscape, and early career designers are facing even more significant hurdles.
The traditional pathways to employment are not as reliable as they once were. Referrals and networking still play a crucial role, but even these connections are not yielding the same results they once did. Companies are cautious about making long-term commitments, often opting for temporary contracts and project-based work instead of permanent hires.
The Impact of Political and Economic Factors
Several political and economic factors contribute to the current instability in the job market. One major influence is the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming U.S. presidential election. This period of uncertainty affects business investment and hiring decisions. Companies are hesitant to make significant investments, including hiring new employees, until they have a clearer picture of the future political landscape.
Additionally, changes in tax policies and financial regulations have had a substantial impact on how businesses operate. For example, the alterations in R&D tax credits starting in 2017, which came into full effect in 2022, have influenced how companies allocate their resources. These changes have contributed to the waves of layoffs as businesses adjust to new financial realities, prioritizing short-term cost savings over long-term investments in human capital.
The First 100 Days of the New Administration
The first 100 days of a new presidential administration are critical. This period is often seen as an indicator of the administration’s priorities and effectiveness. Businesses closely watch these initial days to gauge the potential impact on the economy and regulatory environment. This cautious approach means that significant hiring decisions are often postponed until after this period.
If the upcoming election results in a change of administration, it will take time for the new leadership to settle in and implement their policies. Even if the current administration continues, the political and economic uncertainties leading up to the election will have caused a slowdown in business activities.
I think companies will likely wait until they have a clear understanding of the new administration’s policies before resuming significant hiring.
The Role of Further Education
Given these challenging conditions, many early career professionals might be considering further education to enhance their qualifications and improve their job prospects. Competency-based online programs, which allow students to earn degrees at their own pace, are an attractive option. These programs can provide valuable skills and credentials, potentially making candidates more competitive in the job market.
For instance, pursuing a degree in software development can complement a UX designer’s skill set and open up opportunities for roles like UX engineer. These roles involve rapid prototyping and require knowledge of programming frameworks such as React, Vue, and Flutter. However, the decision to invest in further education should be carefully weighed against the costs, especially if it involves taking on significant debt.
I think it’s hard to say for sure whether or not this will be beneficial to your career. I don’t have a four year degree, and I struggled for the first few years to gain traction, but now I don’t ever see a reason to pursue a degree. That doesn’t mean I’m done learning! I’m just not going to do it in the structured format of a degree program.
Testing the Value of a Degree
One way–and I’m not saying this is the right thing to do, it’s just something you could do–to determine if a degree will make a significant difference is to conduct an experiment. By creating two versions of your resume — one with a degree and one without — you can apply to the same jobs and compare the responses. This method could provide some rough insights into whether the lack of a degree is a barrier to job opportunities. If you’re currently seeking work, though, this probably isn’t the best use of your time.
Regardless of how you test the value of a degree, it’s essential to consider the time and financial investment required to complete a degree program. Competency-based programs allow students to test out of certain courses, but there will still be classes that require time and effort to complete. Additionally, the job market could change significantly by the time you finish the program, potentially affecting the value of the degree.
I think it’s best to ‘keep on keeping on’ with what you’re doing, rather than adding the stress, cost and time investment of pursuing a degree while also looking for work.
Practical Advice for Navigating the Job Market
In the meantime, gaining practical experience is crucial. Temporary jobs and positions at startups offer valuable learning opportunities and help build a diverse portfolio. These roles, while not permanent, can provide the experience and skills needed to advance your career. Dig into making your case studies easy to process, demonstrative of impact and build your brand.
If financial stability is a concern, consider taking any job that meets your basic needs, even if it’s outside of UX. The primary goal should be to maintain stability while continuing to develop your UX skills. You can and should build a UX portfolio while working a ‘regular job.’
Looking Ahead
Despite the current challenges, I am optimistic about the future job market. I believe we will see significant improvements within the next year, particularly after the first 100 days of the new administration. This period will allow businesses to adjust to the new political and economic landscape and regain confidence in making long-term investments, including hiring new employees.
Several factors contribute to this optimism. First, the uncertainty surrounding the election will be resolved, providing businesses with a clearer picture of the future. Second, the new administration’s policies will begin to take effect, offering stability and predictability. Third, the economic cycle will likely improve, with businesses recovering from the recent downturn and starting to invest in growth again.
I would bet real money that, about a year from now, we are all feeling more abundance (not that social media will reflect it).
Final Thoughts
Navigating the current job market as an early career UX designer is incredibly challenging right now, there’s no other way to see it, but it’s important to stay resilient and adaptable. Continue gaining practical experience, consider the value of further education carefully, and keep an eye on the evolving political and economic landscape. While the road ahead may be uncertain, there are reasons to be hopeful about the future.
By staying focused, building your skills, and being patient, you can position yourself for success when the job market stabilizes. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and better days are on the horizon. Stay determined, keep learning, and don’t lose sight of your goals.
Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need further advice. I’m here to support you through these challenging times.
I’m Maigen Thomas and I’m on a mission to empower 1,000 early-career designers and other digital technologists with the skills and tools they need to increase their socio-economic status.
I’m the Founder of Level 11 Technology, an Apprenticeship Agency. I bring 10+ years of experience in enterprise software SaaS product design and a background in full-stack development to her UX and Gamification Design Consulting. I taught 3 cohorts of the UX/UI Design Bootcamp at UC Berkeley and wrote the $1m flagship UX/UI Design curriculum. Follow me on LinkedIn or join the MaigenUX Patreon for exclusive access to quests (with cash prizes!), professional mentorship and motivation, and Accessibility and Usability learning content.
