Meet Paula: A teacher who took the leap into UX
Paula spent more than two decades in education. At her stage of life, she wasn’t sure a career change was possible. But after an introduction from a member of the UX Design Institute team in 2023, she was inspired to enrol in the Professional Diploma in UX Design.
The qualification, together with strong support and encouragement, gave Paula the confidence to take the first step into her new career.
Today, she works as a UX/UI Designer in the Cabinet Office, a role she landed after starting out as a Service Designer in local government.
From uncertainty to confidence
After so long in the classroom, Paula doubted whether she could start again. She felt apprehensive about switching careers, but her curiosity about human behaviour and passion for creativity led her to UX design.
Her years in education gave her a strong foundation. Skills like creative thinking, problem solving and communication transferred directly into UX. These transferable strengths gave her the belief that she could succeed.
At 52, I wasn’t entirely sure whether switching careers as a mature woman was possible, but UX Design immediately felt like the right fit. It brought together my passion for creativity, empathy, curiosity about human behaviour and love of design, alongside my confidence with digital tools.
Building skills with the UX Design Institute
During the six-month diploma, Paula appreciated the wide range of support. She found the Slack community invaluable. It gave her a space to connect with peers, share advice and discover opportunities.
She also valued webinars, talks from industry experts and her one-to-one career coaching sessions with Eoghain Cooper, Career Advisor at the UX Design Institute.
“I was reassured that my transferable skills were a real strength and this gave me confidence that this change was absolutely achievable.”
By studying alongside like-minded peers and learning directly from experts, Paula developed the confidence and skills she needed to move forward.
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From theory to practice: getting hands-on experience
When Paula completed the diploma, she knew that practical projects would strengthen her CV. She volunteered her time to build real experience and strengthen her portfolio.
She worked on three projects:
- NHS: an opportunity found through the Slack community (Jan 2024-Aug 2025). Paula continued this project in her spare time while working as a Service Designer.
- Stroud Commons: a local community project bringing land, housing, energy and leisure facilities into community ownership (Jan-June 2024).
- Organisation for Identity & Cultural Development: supporting organisations to harness identity dynamics and build stronger, more inclusive cultures (Jan-March 2024).
These experiences helped her create a portfolio that showcased her skills. As the State of UX Hiring Report 2024 highlights, “90% of those responsible for hiring said that an entry-level candidate’s portfolio is important when evaluating applications.”
With portfolio projects built into the UX Design Institute programme, Paula knew exactly what employers were looking for and took action while working at her teaching role.
From teaching to service design to UX/UI
In the summer of 2024, Paula took on short freelance roles to broaden her experience. At Green Knight Studios, she focused on user research and competitive analysis. She then joined the London School of Childcare Studies, where she worked on content and UX design.
By September 2024, Paula secured her first full-time role as a Service Designer in local government. Soon after, she returned to the UX Design Institute to study the 12-week Professional Certificate in UI Design.
The additional certificate gave her a well-rounded skill set. By September 2025, she stepped into her current role as a UX/UI Designer in the Cabinet Office.
Looking back, the UX Design Institute gave me the confidence, knowledge and connections to successfully change career paths, and to do so at a stage in life when I once doubted it was possible.
Are you ready to make a change?
Paula’s story shows it’s never too late to move into UX. Transferable skills like problem solving, empathy and collaboration are valuable starting points. With the right education and support, you can build on those foundations and open the door to new opportunities.
At the UX Design Institute, you’ll get:
- A credit-rated qualification
- Access to a dedicated peer community
- One-to-one career support from experienced advisors
As Paula says, “The whole team at the UX Design Institute were so supportive and I couldn’t have changed my career without them.”
Visit the UX Design Institute website to explore the curriculum, or book a free call with an education advisor for impartial advice.
Want to hear more stories from people like Paula? Check out the following:
- From sales to UX consulting: Kim’s career transformation
- From digital marketing to UX leadership: Emily’s career pivot
- Keelan’s success story: Upskilling to become a product lead
