Breaking into UX Research

This session is for folks who aren’t coming from a design degree or a formal HCI program—but who feel deeply pulled toward UX Research (yes, that was me!). Maybe you're in marketing, psychology, product, engineering, or even academia, wondering, "Is it too late to switch? Am I even qualified?"

I get it—because I was you (good old days!). I broke into UXR from industry myself, and I know how confusing, intimidating, and isolating that transition can feel.

In our session, I’ll walk you through:

• My own transition story: the mindset shifts, the mistakes, and the breakthroughs.
• How to identify and translate your existing skills into UX research language.
• What hiring managers are really looking for (and how to stand out).
• Portfolio tips for career-switchers (even if you don’t have formal UXR experience yet).
• Resume tips and resume rephrasing for UX research
• Personalized next steps tailored to your background and goals.

This will NOT be a generic “career coaching” chat–it’s a grounded, candid, and strategic conversation between two humans. My goal is to meet you where you are and give you tools, encouragement, and clarity to take your next step confidently.