Hi Gen!
I'm a little late to the party but thought I'd share my experience as a current UX Researcher, and from my knowledge of fellow UXRs in the industry:
- 'No Relevant Experience' is not an obstacle
Everyone starts from ground 0 - especially in a relatively new-niche field like UX Research, where Bootcamps and University Programmes were hard to find (or non-existent in SG) a decade or two ago. In such a field, there isn't a straightforward track where you get a specific degree or bootcamp certificate and it guarantees your job. What you could start with is: pick up a few fundamental books to learn the core skills, apply it by carrying out independent research projects in your own time, and post it to share / get feedback. This is where no. 2 comes in -
- Get in touch! Join relevant communities
The great thing about this field is that everyone's always learning and ready to share: there are lots of active UX Research communities on Slack, and amazing podcasts as well as Medium publications to learn from, and discuss with. This is where you can start asking questions, post drafts and get feedback from people who are experienced in the field :)
- Read, Discuss, Try - Rinse and Repeat
You sound really interested in UX Research, and that's great because you'll need that motivation and resilience to self-learn / learn independently. UX Research is more than a skillset, but a frame of mind: there are plenty of opportunities in every day life and spaces to start an independent project - and the key is, it does not have to be perfect. The thing that will make you stand out is having an original or creative approach, tweaking "standard processes" you learn about, to apply to the problem at hand.
To answer your question on whether or not joining a Bootcamp will increase prospects of being hired: At the end of the day, it's not about the Bootcamp certificate that you'll get, but the way you think about - and solve - a problem that will get you hired :) I personally believe that you can learn just as effectively without a bootcamp as long as you set challenges and _just do it, try, ask for help, and repeat. _Bootcamp, on the other hand, offers a more handheld and structured approach that might benefit you more if you prefer that form of learning: but I wouldn't take it to be a passport to a first internship or job.
Hope that answers your question - the TLDR is that you just have to get your hands dirty and post your attempts and thought processes online, Bootcamp or not. Zongzong has given a great tip as well. All the best Gen!
Hi Gen!
I'm a little late to the party but thought I'd share my experience as a current UX Researcher, and from my knowledge of fellow UXRs in the industry:
Everyone starts from ground 0 - especially in a relatively new-niche field like UX Research, where Bootcamps and University Programmes were hard to find (or non-existent in SG) a decade or two ago. In such a field, there isn't a straightforward track where you get a specific degree or bootcamp certificate and it guarantees your job. What you could start with is: pick up a few fundamental books to learn the core skills, apply it by carrying out independent research projects in your own time, and post it to share / get feedback. This is where no. 2 comes in -
The great thing about this field is that everyone's always learning and ready to share: there are lots of active UX Research communities on Slack, and amazing podcasts as well as Medium publications to learn from, and discuss with. This is where you can start asking questions, post drafts and get feedback from people who are experienced in the field :)
You sound really interested in UX Research, and that's great because you'll need that motivation and resilience to self-learn / learn independently. UX Research is more than a skillset, but a frame of mind: there are plenty of opportunities in every day life and spaces to start an independent project - and the key is, it does not have to be perfect. The thing that will make you stand out is having an original or creative approach, tweaking "standard processes" you learn about, to apply to the problem at hand.
To answer your question on whether or not joining a Bootcamp will increase prospects of being hired: At the end of the day, it's not about the Bootcamp certificate that you'll get, but the way you think about - and solve - a problem that will get you hired :) I personally believe that you can learn just as effectively without a bootcamp as long as you set challenges and _just do it, try, ask for help, and repeat. _Bootcamp, on the other hand, offers a more handheld and structured approach that might benefit you more if you prefer that form of learning: but I wouldn't take it to be a passport to a first internship or job.
Hope that answers your question - the TLDR is that you just have to get your hands dirty and post your attempts and thought processes online, Bootcamp or not. Zongzong has given a great tip as well. All the best Gen!