Ask me things

Hey there! People sometimes ask if they can meet up and pick my brain about certain topics. I’m not able to accommodate every request, so I’ve put a sort of FAQ together.

Tips about:  #UX  |  #therapy  |  #hiking  |  #gettingwork  |  #offeringwork

How do I become a UX designer?

I love to help other designers, but I don’t have one bulletproof answer! UX professionals come from all sorts of backgrounds. What I can tell you is what I did.

Try a meetup or conference: I discovered that UX was a career you could have, and started to figure out what it looked like, by showing up at a local conference for web designers & developers. Check your nearby colleges, Meetup.com, local professional organizations, and co-working spaces for events.

Take some classes: I took a mixture of code and design classes. An intro to HTML/CSS/JavaScript allowed me to start making own web projects, which helped me learn how designs translate into actual products. It also put my work out into the “real world”. (Do you have to learn to code? I don’t think so, but it can inform your design process.) I also took graphic and web design, typography, data visualization, and some coursework on qualitative research and design as social critique. I took these classes in person, while I was working at a local university (which is one way to get a discount!).

Volunteer or freelance: You’ll want to spend a little time building a portfolio and dipping your toes in the day-to-day work. See if you can get hooked up with local designers who have overflow projects, or nonprofits searching for volunteers. Try a hackathon. Offer to spruce up a neighborhood community group’s web presence. (Remember that you’re not obligated to work for free! Here are <a href="https://deardesignstudent.com/pricing-ad00ad5c4b7f" target=_blank" title="Dear Design Student: on pricing">a few tips on pricing</a> when you’re just starting out.)

Learn on the job: Should you work for a startup? Maybe. I did, but there are pros and cons. And while I don’t agree with every word of this article explaining why you shouldn’t, you do want to work in an environment that values your time and offers you mentorship. Think critically about what you want to spend your time building. Not every company that raised a funding round is good, or offers a healthy working environment. Not every product that can exist, should exist.

I do not have much of an opinion of design or code bootcamps, as I’ve never been to one. I’d recommend applying a critical eye to any program that promises you entry to the tech industry within a year. It could be a good starting place! But I'd think of becoming a UX professional as more of a five-year plan.

Here are some resources I’ve used and found helpful:

Can you share more mental health resources?

I’m glad you asked! I think therapy has done wonders for me, personally. And while I am not licensed to give health advice, I do believe in reducing the stigma around taking care of your mental and emotional well-being. Here are a few helpful tools and articles:

  • The Therapy Cost Calculator—my project that helps demystify paying for therapy
  • bit.ly/phillytherapists—I often get asked to recommend individual therapy practitioners, and while I don’t feel qualified to do this, here are some folks that people I know have visited and liked.
  • Generocity has a great article about low-cost therapy options around Philly, and this Buzzfeed article is also packed with tips.

Can you recommend a place to hike near Philly?

Yes! I’ve tried to capture everything I love about our local parks at phillydayhiker.com. There’s 15,000+ words of content over there, and I honestly don’t hold many secrets beyond that! If you’re looking for something specific—disc golf, a bit of a climb, a waterfall—you can search the site by keyword via Google, like this. There are plenty of places I haven’t been to, though. Feel free to use the tips form on the site to add your suggestions.

You can also subscribe to the Philly Day Hiker newsletter, where I do my best to dispense seasonally-appropriate tips a few times a year, or follow along on Instagram.

I don’t currently guide hikes or organize group activities. For now, I use my hiking time to check in with myself and clear my head.

Do you know of any tech companies hiring for [x]?

I tend to be a bit out of the loop on this one (unless it’s my company! You can check what we’re hiring for here). The tech scene around Philly is growing rapidly and I don’t know what’s happening in all corners of it. My recommendation for getting to know the ins and outs would be to check Technical.ly Philly’s current coverage (as well as their NET/WORK event and job board), try some Meetup.com events, and get yourself on the local Slack groups.

How do I hire a designer or developer? Do you know of any who might work on my project?

I don’t keep a list of people currently accepting freelance gigs, as availability tends to fluctuate quite a bit. And I mostly work with a set group of people at my current company. But there are lots of designers and design agencies in Philadelphia who would be happy to work with you! You should be prepared to talk specifics about your budget and timeline (and yes, you should have a budget). Some Philly-centric resources that might point you in the right direction:

Lauren elsewhere:   LinkedIn | GitHub | Bluesky | Instagram | Medium | Dribbble | Behance