On transitioning careers
Published: Monday, October 5th
I feel super lucky. I was in college and studying to get my undergraduate degree when I felt the fire. The fire is the energy you feel when you’ve found something you love doing so much that you can’t stop doing it. That’s what I felt when I first discovered UX Design about 7 years ago in 2013.
Fast forward to 2018 when I uploaded my first video to YouTube. I didn’t really know what I was doing but I loved film and wanted to get better at public speaking. It was two years later that I would recognize that fiery feeling again. And that’s why I decided to transition internally at Zendesk to be our Creative department’s Design Community Manager.
What I had realized was that for most of my professional career I loved being the person that was hands on in solving problems through leveraging technology. But once I started to teach, share stories, and create connection, I realized that how I got my energy had shifted. What get’s me most excited these days is when I can help bring people together, to enable them to solve the problems.
I’m not saying I’m some expert transiton-er now but I do have experience. It took me two years of making videos on YouTube, hosting live events, and building community on my own time to develop the skillset I would need for this new role and understanding that it was what I truly wanted to do next.
What I’ve learned? Transitioning takes time. I know it’s hard to be patient especially when there are design programs out there promising a smooth transition could happen to you in 6 months time, but the truth is, is that it typically takes longer. Even years longer. And that’s because some of the best things in life just take time.
I think it’s a simple equation: energy + creation
If you feel the fire, follow that energy and don’t stop creating — day in and day out. You will create crappy work; that is okay. Keep creating work anyway. With time, you will find your path into the career and life you want to lead for yourself.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any specific questions you’re trying to sort through about your design career.
Until next month, happy transitioning!
xo, A