From zero UX experience to a six-figure salary? Armando C.'s career pivot to UX proves it's never too late to change course 🚀
College wasn't the 'aha' moment Armando expected. Instead, it left him feeling more lost and confused than ever. So, he made a bold decision: drop out, move to LA, and figure out what he really wanted from life.
In LA, Armando became a preschool teacher, a role he held for almost four years. But as life evolved, so did his priorities. “I was making about $30,000 a year, renting a shoebox in LA. It was just me and my lady at the time and when we found out we were expecting, I was like what are we gonna do? How are we gonna support a family?”
Driven by the need for a more stable future, Armando moved to Reno and began considering a career in UX design. He was drawn to the field's blend of creativity and psychology, and the potential for remote work appealed to him as a soon-to-be father.
He shares, "Having been a preschool teacher, I know exactly how important those early years are with kids and how impressionable they are, so I really wanted a career that let me work from home and be present for my own child. That was huge for me and another thing that attracted me to UX.”
Armando enrolled in the Google UX Design Certificate and completed it within eight months. His newfound passion and motivation helped him persevere in a tough job market, and land a position as a UX researcher.
“After the Google course, I felt like I knew my stuff. I felt good about my skills, and I really think that confidence played a huge part in me being able to interview for this job and get it."
His company previously had no UX department, and Armando has since led the charge in building a team and integrating UX methodology into the larger organization.
Reflecting on his journey, Armando shares, "Having taken the Google course and just putting in a few months to really grind on the job hunt and freelance work, I was able to get this full-time position. I have great benefits, make six figures, work flexibly, and have a path forward.”
He adds, “I bought a house. Now I go skiing on the weekends. I can support my family. This is a dream for a young Latino kid from the burbs in Atlanta. I really am grateful to Google [Career Certificates] because this truly has changed my life.”
Armando’s journey to UX is an inspiring example of how the Google UX Design Career Certificate can help you achieve your career goals. Ready to write your own success story? → https://goo.gle/3N5Klhq
📢 Have a Google Career Certificate success story of your own? We'd love to hear it! Share your journey and inspire others by commenting below or messaging us directly → https://lnkd.in/dc9gDS4r
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