So you want to be a UX researcher?
So you want to be a UX researcher?
Some tips for transitioning from academia to UXR
One of the most commonly asked questions I get on LinkedIn and Twitter is how to break into UX. People asking are almost always academics — MSc/PhD students, lecturers, post-docs. In this post, I’ll be sharing some tips and advice to help you make this transition.
Why UX research?
Before discussing how you can become a UX researcher, we need to establish whether that’s something you want. There are more roles an academic can do in the industry — data science, engineering, market research, product management… UX research is not like academic research. Yes, rigor and proper methodology are still important but there are times when flexibility is required. If that’s something you can’t do, then this career choice will probably make you miserable.
Some tips
The tips below are based on my experience and my own research. They’re not an exhaustive list of the steps you can take to get started in UX research.
Networking is important: most PhDs are quick to learn and have most of the hard skills required for the job. However, our networks usually consist of other academics… Getting out of this small (or big) circle and meeting UX professionals is key in breaking into the industry. Attend UX-related events (remote or in-person) and talk to people. Mention that you’re looking for a new role and show them how relevant your skills are. Coming from a cognitive psychology background I usually bonded with people by talking about Don Norman, who not only defined UX but also influenced Cognitive science. I was lucky enough to meet his old collaborator, Tim Shallice while doing my MSc in London. You might have similar stories. Something you work on might apply to UX. Events like these can be the perfect chance to showcase this.
Establish an online presence. I was involved in various science communication projects since I did my undergrad degree. Create some posts relating to UX that you can share with prospective employers. Give a talk about how your area of expertise or a methodology you have expertise in can be used in UX research.
Get involved in enterprise activity. This can take many forms; take part in events connecting your university to local businesses, engage in science communication events, do consulting work through your department. There are always opportunities but sometimes you might need to reach out to multiple people.
Write an industry CV. I’ve seen many academics applying to UX research roles using an academic CV. Most employers don’t care about your publications and your academic achievements. Focus on transferrable skills. For example, do you have experience teaching and giving lectures? Did you win a teaching award? That’s proof that you have good public speaking skills.
Learn more about UX. You don’t need to attend a course or spend money on this. There are loads of resources you can use to learn more about UX research and specific methodologies. Understanding more about design and fields related to UX (e.g., Product Management, Engineering) will also be helpful when it comes to interviewing for a UX research role and being part of a team. You can choose whatever works best for you; books, online courses, podcasts, blogs.
Do you have any other tips? I’d be interested in hearing what helped you transition from academia to UX. Please leave a comment.