UX Design: Bridging Skills & Qualifications

After reviewing the different avenues in tech, I am most suited for user experience. Based on the research I’ve done, user experience focuses on a deep understanding of users and creating products that provide meaningful experiences for them. As a tech consumer, I am sometimes frustrated by user interfaces and believe I can provide insightful solutions based on user needs, as I am also a user. Moreover, after talking to my mentor more about this career path, I have realized that soft interpersonal skills are required for this role. User experience is for someone who has great communication skills, can work with a team, has time management skills, and can adapt. Being a part of Codetalk has further demonstrated to me that I have these skills and can succeed in a user experience role.

The position I have chosen is as an entry-level UX designer at OscarMike. The qualifications for this role include having empathy for users, being knowledgeable of the latest design standards, having at least one year of UX design experience, an online portfolio, proficiency in Figma and Adobe Suite, knowledge of responsive design, and communication skills. After reviewing the qualifications, I can confidently say I have met most of them, but I still need to work on my online portfolio, explore Adobe Suite, and gain more experience in UX design. Because of Codetalk, I have an online portfolio, all I need to do is complete two more UX design projects that I can add to create a stronger portfolio. I have never used Adobe Suite, so I am not sure if it is similar to Figma, but that is a program I have to familiarize myself with. Moreover, the job duties are similar to the process we discussed in our UX design module. This includes wireframing and prototyping, a basic understanding of information architecture, a basic level of scrum, and user flows. Overall, I have a few tasks that need to be completed before I can start applying for jobs and be sure I am qualified.