Samantha wanted to break into user research but, like many career switchers, found it difficult to get hired without hands-on experience. She knew she had the curiosity and problem-solving mindset for the role, but needed a clear pathway into the field. That’s when she turned to the UX Design Institute to kick-start her new career. Here’s how she did it.
Starting out: Samantha’s background in psychology and people-focused roles
Samantha came from people-centred roles, including working as an assistant and office manager. At the time, these roles may not have seemed relevant to UX. In reality, they involved psychology, behavioural science and strong communication skills. They helped her understand people’s needs and listen closely to their motivations, skills that are essential in user research.
Trying to get into UX research and hitting the “lack of experience” barrier
Despite the many strengths Samantha had, she found making the switch to UX research wasn’t easy. In fact, she faced a familiar catch-22 that many aspiring UX researchers encounter.
After completing my MSc in Psychology, I wasn’t sure how to make the leap into UX research, as the industry seemed highly competitive. I felt stuck in the cycle of needing UX experience to get a job, and needing a job to gain that experience.
Learn more about reframing your “unrelated work experience” to get a job in UX.
Forging a practical pathway into UX with the Professional Certificate in User Research
Then Samantha found the UX Design Institute and the Professional Certificate in User Research, which she calls “instrumental” in starting her career in user research. The practical course bridged the gap, getting her the experience she needed to get a job. She completed hands-on learning to gain applicable skills in UX research that employers saw as relevant and useful to the industry.
The course broke everything down into clear, manageable pieces, so I never felt overwhelmed. I gained insights into how psychological principles can be applied within the business sector.
I appreciated the fact that the technological aspect was also included, for example, how to set up an interview. I believe these small but crucial details helped secure my new role as a UX Researcher.
Samantha valued the high-quality education she received. She found the course current and closely aligned with industry needs. Most importantly, it helped her turn a long-standing curiosity about people and behaviour into practical UX research skills. She learned how interests she had always been drawn to could be applied as clear, actionable research insights.
From theory to practice: gaining confidence as a UX researcher and landing her first role
Her confidence grew as she learned how to plan, run and analyse research through the Professional Certificate in User Research. She then applied those skills to real-world projects. With that experience, she was ready to step into her first full-time UX research role.
Today she works as a User researcher for AMS leading qualitative and quantitative studies, developing personas and facilitating rapid prototyping.
I have my dream job in UX research, thanks to the UX Design Institute.
Samantha’s story shows that many professional backgrounds can lead to a career in UX research. In her case, psychology and strong people skills were a natural fit, but they were not a requirement. With the comprehensive and supportive structure of the course, UX research is accessible to anyone willing to focus on empathy, problem-solving and understanding users.
Think a UX career is out of reach? A professional course can change that.
Like Samantha, you can break into UX research without prior experience and move towards your dream role. The Professional Certificate in User Research is designed to help you build job-ready skills through a structured, supportive learning path. You’ll gain practical experience, learn in-demand research methods and stay aligned with current industry trends.
With the Professional Certificate in User Research you’ll:
- Build a well-rounded UX research skillset by learning a complete range of in-demand research methods
- Develop the ability to turn research findings into clear, actionable insights and communicate them with confidence
- Apply your learning to practical projects and showcase your expertise in a professional UX research portfolio
- Gain a university credit-rated qualification that supports your long-term career growth
- Learn within a supportive environment, with guidance from career advisors, our Student Success team and an engaged student community
Take the first step towards your dream role today. Visit the official course page to learn more, or book a call with an education advisor for free advice.
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If you want to learn more about how other people have used the UX Design Institute’s certificates and diplomas to transform their careers, check out these stories:
- A new career in fashion tech: Kristýna’s UX journey
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From teaching to UX/UI design: Paula’s career change with the UX Design Institute
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From digital marketing to UX leadership: Emily’s career pivot with the UX Design Institute
