Why 2024 sucks for junior UX designers? (Part 2)
Two months have passed since I delved into the topic of “Why 2024 Sucks for Junior UX Designers?” This article to my astonishment, resonated widely within the design community, gathering thousands of views and sparking rich conversations among junior and senior designers. The struggles of job hunting post-graduation or following layoffs due to company downsizing were real and universally felt. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who read, shared and contributed their thoughts to that discussion. Your engagement created a truly magical moment for me, emphasizing the value and power of our community.
Now, with a bit more perspective, I’m eager to share the insights I’ve gathered on why this year poses unique challenges for junior designers, and more importantly, how we can collectively navigate these challenges.
The Unwavering Demand for Design
Contrary to the daunting job market, the demand for UX design expertise continues to rise. Conversations with seasoned designers like Alyona Volkova have revealed a persistent need for design skills across industries. However, companies often lack the resources to hire full-time positions, making this a perfect moment for freelancers or those considering freelancing. Alyona suggests showcasing your design process on certain projects or design challenges on LinkedIn or other platforms in an engaging manner to attract freelance clients, even if you lack a vast portfolio or extensive experience.
Specialization: A Key to Standing Out
As cliché, as it might sound, especially for new graduates, specialization can significantly enhance your marketability. It’s crucial to reflect on what aspects of design genuinely excite you and consider focusing your skills in that direction. It’s comforting to remember that our interests and focuses are allowed to evolve as we grow professionally. This flexibility in specialization is not a limitation but an opportunity for growth and exploration.
The Power of Networking
In recent months, I met many incredible people because of my graduation project about a startup incubator or random strangers who invited me on LinkedIn and wanted to hang out for dinner or coffee to talk about the current state of design and share their stories. That’s why, when you live in a bigger city, don’t be afraid to reach out to some designers and ask them politetly and with compassion if they would be down for some hang out to talk about advice, and who knows, maybe you will also get a job thanks to that. Power is in the community and people, always and forever!
Understanding the Job Market Dynamics
The job market, much like the stock market, is prone to fluctuations. This concept, shared with me by Andrew Grogan through The Cobweb Model, illustrates the cyclical nature of demand and supply in the labour market. High demand leads to increased training for specific skills, eventually saturating the market and causing a temporary dip in opportunities and wages. However, as time passes, and fewer people enter the market, opportunities rise again, and the cycle starts again. This cyclical model underscores the importance of patience and resilience in our career paths.
Staying Positive and Proactive
Despite the challenges, just keep on being positive, courageous, and motivated. Even if Nielsen Norman Group predicts significant growth from the current 1 million to about 100 million people in the UX industry, it doesn’t mean there is no demand for real talent, unique, driven, adventurous, young people like us. So let’s not worry about what’s out of our control, and focus on what is in our control like our mental well-being, family friends, and skills.
Always look for upsides, and sometimes take a break from the endless rush, go travel for a week or longer, and then come back with a fresh perspective. You will be surprised by how blind you were to simple solutions right under your nose to the problems you’re facing right now. It happened to me recently, when I returned from an Easter trip from Poland. Suddenly, I discovered, that I created more problems than there were in reality.
As we move forward, let’s continue to support each other, share our knowledge, and build a brighter future together. Remember, the journey in UX design is as much about the impact we make as it is about personal fulfilment and growth.
UX design is not just a career but a passion that offers endless possibilities for those willing to embrace it. Let’s continue to learn, innovate, and support each other in this dynamic and exciting field.
Thank you once again for your incredible support. Here’s to face the future with optimism, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in design. Cheers to a future filled with opportunity, learning, and meaningful connections. Let’s not forget, that there’s more to life than the relentless pursuit of the next job opportunity ;)
If you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to smash that “clap” button, and follow for more stories like that! 😎
