Working in the user experience space can be an exciting a fulfilling career since it can allow you to work creatively, make an excellent salary, and be on the forefront of an exciting industry. While you might think that there’s only one or two career options for you in the UX space, the truth is that there are a number of different job titles available and a bunch of options when it comes to starting a career in UX.

Here’s what you need to know before you make the leap into a UX career.

There are many job types

Going into a career in UX means that you are going to have to consider which area you want to specialize in. When you are first starting out, you might immediately assume that you are going to jump to a designer role, but the truth is that you can often try several different things. You might become a project manager, involved in UI, go into UX writing, and more. No matter what your strengths are, you’re likely to find a job that you like.

You need a certificate

In order to find a job in UX that you will love, you might want to consider getting a certificate in that area. Some courses are self-paced, while others are directed by a university or program. You can get a lot out of both types of programs, and much of that will depend on whether or not you need help in reaching your goals. Most likely, you will need to do some research into which program appeals the most to you.

You’ll need a portfolio

Before you can start applying to positions, you are going to need to show that you can work with the tools that come along with a UX career. This can come down to design software like Figma or Sketch, or it can be app design software and working with a team. This is how you show that you know basic elements and how you can handle certain types of projects and working with others. Most companies won’t even consider you as a candidate without a portfolio available.

It might take time to find the right fit

If you don’t get a job immediately after finishing a bootcamp or you have been looking for a few months, don’t be disheartened if you don’t manage to get a job right away. It can take some time in order to find the right fit. Going into the process with an idea of what you want from a career can help you get that dream job in UX a lot faster and simpler.

In summary

When starting a career in UX, it can be helpful to think ahead to you make sure to have everything in order so that you can get the job you want as soon as possible. Keep in mind that it can be a process and that it might take some time.