In 2020, I made the decision to leave early childhood education behind and pursue a career that was better suited for me. The catch? I didn’t know what career that was. I researched careers and came across UX design.

I felt the twinge of excitement in my stomach. I could combine my interest in psychology and creativity for a job?! Amazing! Now, how do I get there? My background was nowhere near tech or design.

Bootcamps were increasing in popularity at the time. Many were similar, except for Springboard, which offered 1:1 mentorship and access to career services and coaching. I felt like I had nothing to lose, so I took the plunge and invested in myself.

Many ups and downs and 11 months later, I finished the course and entered into the job search phase. I quickly realized that my work was just beginning and there was still so much to learn. Yes, I learned the foundations of design, but not the nuances and day-to-day reality of working in a company.

I felt at a disadvantage. Months went by and I struggled to find anything. I was slowly losing hope. Did I make the right choice changing careers? Am I even meant to do this? At the 6-month mark, I finally found a position and the beginning of my UX design career.