Meet Ming Xuan🧑🎓, a proud GA User Experience Design graduate and successful UI/UX Designer. Read first-hand about her difficult but rewarding career change journey and see how General Assembly’s User Experience Design Immersive (UXDI) helped prepare her for a career in the UX Industry.
What were you doing before joining GA?
I was a farmer (farm specialist trainee) looking for full time opportunities but had little luck. I started taking up free online courses and learnt about UX. I later heard from my boyfriend that GA was offering an immersive course and, with his encouragement and support, I decided to take the leap of faith for a career switch.
What inspired you to decide to change careers and move into UX design specifically?
I have always been interested in design and found that UX was a great combination of art (design) and science (research). I was fascinated by how research could lead to designs which were both intuitive and aesthetic.
What was your GA journey like?
My GA journey was really great! I had super fun classmates who were a joy to work (and play) with. Many of my classmates were already in the creative industry and were very willing to share tips and tricks, and discuss various topics. The instructional team was also very experienced in the field and were super supportive and helpful throughout the intense course.
How did you feel throughout this career transition?
I was very nervous quitting my previous position to enter this completely unrelated field and afraid that I won’t be able to pass the course. Through the duration and intensity of the course, I got more confident in my abilities and skills.
When I graduated, I was faced with Imposter Syndrome and was very worried about not being able to land a job. A couple of us from class formed a support group and we just cheered each other on whenever any of us felt burnt out.
As a UX Designer, I find it most fruitful to see my designs slowly come to live and work through technical limitations with the developers. I look forward to seeing real users interacting with the products and further improving from there!
What advice would you give to someone who is keen to join a GA Course?
Do your research! Take up free online courses first to have a taste of what it’s like. If you like it and are ready to commit yourself to it, just take that leap of faith! It won’t be easy but “nothing worth having comes easy” right?