A new year opens the door to new possibilities, whether that means a bold career shift or growing deeper in the path you are already on. As we stepped into 2026, many of our graduates did exactly that. They put their new skills into practice, moving into dream roles or building the confidence to head in a direction they had always wanted.
Here are some of our recent alumni and the stories behind their journeys.
Samantha Engelbrecht
With an MSc in Psychology, Samantha was drawn to user research but felt unsure about making the leap. The UX job market felt highly competitive, and she found herself stuck in a familiar loop, needing UX experience to get a role, but needing a role to gain experience.
Samantha enrolled in the Professional Certificate in User Research, which helped bridge that gap. Through hands-on projects, portfolio work and a comprehensive grounding in research methods, she gained the confidence and capability to move into the field.
Today, I have my dream job in UX Research, thanks to the UX Design Institute.
Andreas Karamalikis
With a background in architecture, Andreas brought a strong foundation in design thinking, problem-solving and systems thinking into UX. By applying these skills to user-centred, evidence-based processes, he successfully transitioned into a rewarding career in UX design.
After completing the Professional Diploma in UX Design, Andreas has worked continuously in the field and is now a Senior Product Designer. He regularly refers back to the core principles he learned during the diploma.
The most valuable aspect was the strong focus on UX principles and structured thinking rather than tools or trends. The diploma taught me how to clearly define problems, ground decisions in research and articulate design rationale. These skills have scaled with me from my first UX role to my current position as a Product Designer.
Jesicca Martin
Jesicca brought years of experience testing and improving digital products across web and mobile platforms. Her long-standing interest in how people use technology naturally led her towards UX Research.
Through this qualification, I discovered how much I enjoy exploring user behaviour and translating insights into actionable product improvements. If you are questioning a course or career change, don’t.
By completing the Professional Certificate in UX Research, Jesicca was able to deepen her existing strengths and develop a well-rounded research skillset. Practical experience with usability testing, user interviews, affinity mapping and research planning helped her bridge the gap between product quality and meaningful user insight.
I pushed through moments of self-doubt and challenge, driven by determination and the excitement of each project. The hands-on nature of the course allowed me to build confidence through real research activities, helping me grow both personally and professionally.
Mark McGuiness
Mark had been working as a freelance digital designer since 2008, building strong visual design skills across a wide range of client projects. While he had some UX knowledge, he felt there were clear gaps in his process, particularly when it came to delivering structured, end-to-end UX work.
After researching several options, Mark chose the UX Design Institute for its comprehensive curriculum and strong reputation. Through hands-on student projects, he strengthened his UX foundations and gained practical experience across the full design process, from research and competitor benchmarking to user testing and affinity mapping.
The Professional Diploma in UX Design gave Mark the structure, tools and confidence he had been missing. Since completing the course, he has taken on specialist UX projects he previously would not have felt equipped to deliver. His work has helped clients reduce friction, improve conversion rates and increase profitability, all grounded in evidence-based UX decisions.
Learning a comprehensive UX design process that allowed me to deliver for my clients from research all the way through to delivery has been invaluable. The investment has definitely been worth it.
Mark now works as a Senior UI/UX Designer on a freelance basis, applying a robust UX process to deliver meaningful improvements for both clients and end users.
Our graduates show that career change and upskilling are achievable with the right mindset, support and education. UX is built on transferable skills, from research and analysis to problem-solving and communication, which makes it an accessible and rewarding path for people from a wide range of backgrounds.
If you are curious about how your current skills could transfer into UX, our education advisors are always happy to chat. You can book a free call to explore your options and take the first step towards your next chapter.
If you enjoyed reading this, here are a few more blogs worth a read.
- A civil servant who became a UX advocate: How learning UX design enhanced John’s career
- Breaking into UX: 2025 success stories
- Samantha’s career pivot with the UX Design Institute
