How I started my career as an UI/UX Engineer
I was an University student in Physical Science faculty, who had no idea about whom I want to be in future or which path I should choose after my studies.
At the University, I studied Computer science, Physics and Mathematics but I had no interest on any of those subjects.
During my first year, I wanted to do a personalized birthday card for one of my friend. That was the first time I started to use Photoshop. From then I used to play around with Photoshop whenever I get a free time. Because it was the best media to express all crazy design ideas which was going in my mind. I did designs for T-shirts, posters, banners and logos for various events happened in my university.
Most of the designs were done for free for my friends because I really enjoyed playing around Photoshop and day by day I fall in love with it.
Eventually I wanted to become a graphic designer, because that’s the only career i heard when it comes to a design path.
As the time goes, during the 3rd year of my university life one of my friend applied for hackathon event. (For me, hackathon is free food :-p) We built up a team with 4 members and went for the hackathon. Magic started at the moment when judges announced that it’s not another hackathon event but a designathon.
Which means it’s a design challenge and no programming or coding work. Yey!! I was amazed with what I just heard and “This is the competition i was waited for whole time” I told to myself.
While listening to further details about the event I heard the word called “UI/UX” It was the first time I heard that word. Quite a surprise to hear this new word and I was very curious to know about it. Is it a method of design or something else? Lot of questions started to going around my mind. I started to google and then I found some interesting definitions as UI/UX means simply how people use a product or service. Interesting..!! Isn’t it?
I was all gear up for this designathon and came up with a fantastic mobile application design for the challenge given by judges. Guess what, we became runners-up and won 50000 LKR. I came home like Sri lanka cricket team who won 96 World Cup..(Actually i have no idea about 96 world cup celebration.)
From that day I started to research about UI/UX. I watched videos, read articles, joined forums/groups, started to follow online tutorials and started to apply for every UI/UX job openings. (Even though some positions required 2–3 year experience)
Then there was a time came where all my friends got internships as Software engineers, QA engineers but i was just applying only for UI/UX positions. Just like a blind lover..
As they say that there is a silver line in every dark cloud, one day I received a call from a company for an interview for UI/UX position. I was over the clouds after receiving this call and then I prepared myself for the interview with some printouts of my portfolio because that is the only way to present my design skills.
I couldn’t be exactly answer for some of the interview questions theoretically but I share what I learnt from my research on UI/UX. Then a week passed. I received a call from that company and they offered me an internship as an UI/UX engineer. That was the best day of my life. I feel like i won a lottery.
I completed my 6 months internship very well and managed to get permanent position as an Associate UI/UX engineer. And the story continues….
I am still a beginner in my career. But i will reach to my goal soon..
I would like to share my story to someone out there who is worrying about their passion or wonder how to start their career in the field they are interested in.
I just want to say “If you want to drive, start on any vehicle. But make sure you go to the destination”.
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