Baseball and UX- An Analogy
The other day, I was thinking about what was the best analogy of my journey in UX.
First, some background information.
I began by taking General Assembly's UX Design Immersive bootcamp program. I thought I was going to be a designer, but after freelancing for a year (emphasis on "free"), I found that my UX superpower was in research.
I freelanced (again, emphasis on "free") for almost 2 years at Orcasound and DemocracyLab before I was offered my first paid contract role at Google. I was ecstatic! This was my dream company. Feeling a heavy dose of imposter syndrome, I vowed I'd give it all I had. And I did.
Near the end of my 6 month contract, I was beset by recruiters. It was a bit much, honestly, getting cold-called multiple times a day and my LinkedIn inbox blowing up with multiple roles. UX Research was hot!
During my nearly 3 years of trying to break into UX, I had developed a pretty severe scarcity mindset. I took all offers for interviews, which there were many. I had multiple offers for roles at Meta, Microsoft, and other companies.
As my contract at Google ended and was not renewed, I felt this weird mix of a sense of failure but also one of pride- I had options, and all paid more than my Google role!
Long story short, I ended up working 2 more roles as a UX Researcher before layoffs replaced the unsustainable hiring spree in the tech industry.
I was laid off from my UXR role at Optum 2 months early. My manager loved the work I did. I loved working with the Product Owners, designers, and other cross-functional team members. Everyone said they loved working with me. However, executives higher up had other ideas.
I thought, "Hey, I've worked at 3 enterprise level companies- I'll get offers soon!" I freelanced at Orcasound again to continue to build my professional skills. Days turned into weeks, and no offers to interview. Every tech company continued to lay off tens of thousands of employees.
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7 months later, and still no interviews for UX Research roles. It's quite disconcerting.
I've learned a lot in the past 5ish years as a UXer, especially as a researcher. I've gotten a lot better at planning, moderating, synthesizing, and presenting studies. I love UX Research.
Now, back to my earlier statement about what analogy best fits my career in UX.
At first I thought that it was like being in elementary school- my freelancing (free) was like playing on the playground. I could practice in a UX "sandbox", learning from mistakes without fear of losing my job. Then, when I started to get paid for UX Research, I graduated to junior high school. No more recess. But it's not like I've regressed back to elementary school from junior high now.
Instead, I like the analogy of baseball.
I love baseball- I grew up watching games with my dad. He was a Cubs fan, only because they were the ultimate underdog team in the MLB. We didn't live in Chicago, but in California. I am a Cubs fan to this day because of my dad.
It's like I was a pitcher in the minors, playing the best I could so that scouts would see me play and send me to the big leagues. After a year playing on some random minor league team, a scout liked what they saw and I was offered a starting position on a major league team (let's say the Cubs!). I pitched a few games, and then was unceremoniously sent back to my old minor league team.
Now, I could see myself as a failure and quit baseball (UX). But no, I love baseball (UX)!
I'll continue playing in the minor leagues (freelancing) until the next scout picks me for a major league team.
I know it will happen.
Technical Writer
10moThanks for sharing your journey, Brendan! I'm wishing all the best for your next time up at the plate.
Software Engineer, Runner, Foodie.
1yI think this is a perfect example of a true journey. You didn't sugar coat it, you didn't alter it, you told it as it is. Thank you for sharing, Brendan!
Host of The UX Growth Podcast | UI/UX Designer | Content Strategist
1yWow, what a journey you've had in UX! Your baseball analogy is spot on, and just like in baseball, perseverance and passion will lead you to the major leagues again. Keep swinging for the fences!
Buddhist| Technical Program Manager| Mentor
1yThis is a bountiful piece Brendan Thatcher I love your analogy of connecting the journey with baseball. Just remember : Quitters are not winners and you are a winner my friend. Thank you for sharing this and giving me the opportunity to work and learn from you.