"Career Strategy Lab: A New Approach to UX Education" – Sarah Doody

“Career Strategy Lab: A New Approach to UX Education” - Act 01 - Scene 30 – Sarah Doody

In this conversation, Naresh Shan and Sarah Doody discuss the evolution of UX design, the challenges faced by job seekers in the current market, and the importance of effective communication and portfolio presentation. Sarah shares insights from her experience running the Career Strategy Lab, emphasizing the need for tailored job applications and the value of research in UX. They also touch on the impact of AI on design standards and the ongoing issues of ageism in the job market.

Takeaways

· Sarah Doody founded Career Strategy Lab to help UX professionals advance their careers.

· The bootcamp model often fails to prepare candidates for real-world job demands.

· Job seekers frequently struggle with overwhelming application processes and lack of results.

· The current job market has opportunities outside of big tech companies.

· Effective communication skills are essential for UX professionals to succeed.

· Portfolios should tell a story and showcase the process, not just the final product.

· Candidates should focus on quality over quantity in job applications.

· The industry is shifting back towards valuing generalists over specialists.

· Designers must advocate for the value of their work to avoid being seen as 'pixel pushers.'

· Ageism exists in the job market, but many experienced professionals still find opportunities.

Chapters

00:48 – The Art of Nonverbal Communication in Meetings

03:40 – The Birth of Career Strategy Lab

09:48 – Understanding Job Seekers’ Challenges

16:39 – The Role of Portfolios in Job Applications

22:47 – The Shift from Specialists to Generalists

28:11 – Addressing Ageism in Hiring

33:17 – Ethics in the Workplace: The Pixel Pusher Dilemma

40:36 – Changing Perceptions of Research: The Big Reveal

50:11 – Career Strategy: When to Seek Help

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The DesignOps Aligned - Podcast Show is a podcast dedicated to empowering design teams to work smarter, not harder. Focusing on the intersection of design and business, we bring you proven processes to grow any design team and deliver real value—both creatively and strategically. Whether you’re a design leader or part of an expanding creative team, our episodes offer practical insights into optimizing workflows, boosting ROI, and staying ahead of industry trends.

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