Alumni profile 

Course studied: Skills Bootcamp in UI/UX Design

Magda decided to undertake a Skills Bootcamp with the Short Course Unit (SCU) at 黑料正能量 (BSU) following a career break. She had previously worked in arts and culture in visitor experience and wanted a change of direction, but one which still centred people. Working with a careers coach she identified her strengths, values, skills and skills gaps, and explored the different potential paths she could take, before landing on user experience (UX) Design as her new desired chosen career. 

Whilst waiting for her Skills Bootcamp in UX/UI Design to start, the SCU recommended that she explore BSU’s Click Start Programme to develop her skills in digital marketing, UX/UI and web development. This enabled her to build key digital skills, explore industry tools and gain a holistic understanding of different digital roles and their work ahead of her Skills Bootcamp.   

Once on her Skills Bootcamp in UX/UI Design, Magda found that the hybrid structure of the Skills Bootcamp, the content, and support of the tutors and her peers hugely helped her on her journey and was not something she felt that she could get from other resources. Reflecting on the course Magda said, “The user research part of the course was really valuable and is something that to this day I use in my work”. 

Following the Skills Bootcamp, Magda spent time building her experience and developing her portfolio through freelance and volunteering opportunities with charities whilst applying for roles. Following this she secured a Senior Content Designer role and has now progressed into a new job as a Human Centred Designer which allows her to amalgamate her love of user research, service design, product design and content design. 

Magda shared the following advice to other learners seeking to change careers:  

“Be very honest with yourself about what your needs and strengths are, and your non-negotiables. Once you have figured out what the right path is for you, just be patient and persistent, it can take a while. There are so many wonderful people out there willing to support you, make the most of them and it will all come together.”