Career growth rarely follows a straight line. Sometimes it begins by taking the skills you already have and applying them in an exciting new direction.
For Marina, that journey started with a degree in psychology and an unexpected introduction to UX design.
Since then, she has built a successful UX career across a range of industries, progressing to her current role as Senior UX/UI Designer at Eurobank Bulgaria AD (Postbank).
Marina completed the Professional Diploma in UX Design and recently earned her Certificate in AI Fundamentals for UX.
We caught up with her to learn more about her career journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way and the advice she’d give to aspiring UX designers.
Let’s dive in.
Where did your journey begin?
I moved from my home country, Bulgaria, when I was 18 to study psychology at the prestigious Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg.
Back then, I didn’t know that my passion for finding patterns in human behaviour would lead me to a career in the UX field. I was particularly interested in the clinical side of psychology.
Over time, my interests shifted toward organisational psychology and leadership.
I had the privilege of working in the HR department at Stadtwerke Heidelberg under the leadership of Managing Director Mathias Straub.
However, after graduating, I felt uncertain about what I wanted to do next until I “accidentally” came across an advertisement for a UX design course.
At the time, I didn’t even know what that meant. I did thorough research and decided that I wanted to become one.
I spent weeks analysing online courses to find the best one to start my journey. I can confidently say that I did!
What was your experience with the course like?
I learned the very basics of user experience design.
Changing fields can be intimidating, but I felt confident in my decision the moment I started the course.
The way Colman Walsh explained every concept, along with the industry examples he used, gave me the assurance that I was developing real expertise. To this day, whenever I feel stuck, I revisit the course materials and engage with the design community I am part of as an alumnus. Not to mention the valuable blog resources and events.
What I remember most vividly are the sessions where we reviewed different assignments. This not only gave me feedback on my own work, but also allowed me to learn from the mistakes of others.
I became aware of pitfalls I could easily have fallen into, without having to experience them firsthand. In my opinion, this was invaluable.
It is difficult to try something new and excel at it without a learning process that helps you avoid common rookie mistakes.
I am truly grateful that I learned the fundamentals properly, and I believe this is one of the reasons I was able to secure jobs without experiencing as many rejections as others in the field.
How did you build the career you have today?
After completion the Professional Diploma in UX Design, I decided to expand my knowledge in the UI Design well.
Soon after I landed my first role as a UX/UI Designer at a startup that provided devices for researchers in the pharmaceutical industry.
It was quite challenging because I had to learn a great deal about physics, chemistry and biology.
But at the same time I deepened my knowledge of usability tests in a way I couldn’t imagine. In my very first year, I even conducted practical workshop for developers, teaching them how to identify usability issues themselves.
Like many other designers, I also experienced the challenge of being laid off.
However, that did not diminish my confidence, and by applying the resilient mindset I developed during the Professional Diploma in UX Design, I quickly bounced back and secured my next role.
This time it was in the medical field. The combination of my previous experience with usability testing and my degree in psychology were highly valued.
I also significantly expanded my UI and design systems skills. I even had the opportunity to work on a large-scale government project, despite not yet being a senior designer.
I worked on designing the interface for the EPA (Elektronische Patientenakte — electronic patient record), which was being introduced nationwide by the government.
The complexity and challenges of that project made me an even stronger problem solver. Over time, however, I became homesick and decided to leave the company, which eventually led me to my current role in Bulgaria.
Right now I am a senior UX/UI Designer at Postbank (Eurobank Bulgaria AD).
I clearly remember the task of designing a seamless parking fee payment experience within a banking app. It was incredibly engaging, and I loved every second of designing the screens.
Even though I had no prior experience in fintech, I immediately accepted the offer when I received the call from HR.
Once again, it was my UX mindset that distinguished me from the other candidates.
I am very proud of what I have accomplished and of working for a company that truly values its users and gives me the freedom to express and test my ideas.
I love that our new slogan is “Inspired by You” because it truly reflects what the role of a UX designer is all about. It is about listening to users and finding inspiration in solving their problems.
I find that incredibly fulfilling!
Tell us a bit about the portfolio
It is very important to have a strong portfolio, but to this day I have kept my very firs (rookie) project from the UX course in mine.
I never want to forget how everything started. Every time I look at it I say to myself, “What the heck were you thinking back then?” and yet, it holds so much emotional value for me that I do not think I could ever remove it.
Every project reflects how much I have grown. Interestingly, I haven’t to updated my portfolio in the last 3 years. Ironically, there was never a real need to do so.
The designs I created during interview tasks consistently spoke clearly about my skills and capabilities.
I did experience some rejections along the way, but they never stopped me or diminished my motivation. Trust the process and everything you have learned and you’ll get to your dream job. I know I did.
I am not going to say that getting to where I am was easy. I completed countless exercises, took additional courses, and read books and articles in order to become a true specialist.
Most importantly, however, I would not have reached where I am today if I had not started my career with the knowledge the UX Design Institute provided me with. So, if want to start your journey with a solid foundation, you are in the right place.
But, it is important to understand that the role of a UX/UI Designer (or Product Designer) requires dedication and a genuine passion for the craft. I can only wish the very best of luck to all new students on their journey.
Marina’s story is a reminder that successful UX careers aren’t built overnight.
They are shaped through continuous learning, resilience and a willingness to embrace new challenges along the way.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your next step, investing in your skills today can open opportunities you may not even see yet.
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Looking for more inspiring career stories? Explore these:
- Meet Alaa: From Banking to Building Global Experiences as a Senior UX Architect
- Bridging the gap between strategy and design at a major South African bank: Chandika’s UX story
- From Brand Designer to Product Designer at Apple: Deborah’s career story
