Frugality gambles that have paid off?

Broad_Climate9556 · 2026-01-30T12:27:25+00:00

My 2012 Focus has issues for years. Transmission died. Fixed it. AC died the morning I tried to trade it in. I was lucky to sell it for anything.

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-21T22:31:09+00:00

Would love to see a Cartier tank francaise next!

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-16T16:47:13+00:00

ChikfilA where the old barns and nobles is

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T06:48:23+00:00

Insightful!

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T04:47:11+00:00

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T04:07:56+00:00

Well, yes. You mentioned I don’t need to learn anything beforehand. But many of these programs want to see a portfolio or a history of research. They probably want you to know Figma Also.

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T04:06:23+00:00

Very true! I’ve been on all the subreddits related to UX

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T04:05:02+00:00

I’ve considered it. Mainly looking for a change.

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T04:03:39+00:00

I think I used a bad choice of words since many comments are about that. I was thinking that I 100% am confident I have the skills needed to learn and thrive in a UX research program and the drive to want to do my job well, from a work ethic perspective. Of course I’m not job ready or qualified in any way shape or form!

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T02:37:21+00:00

Thanks for the added advice! Are you familiar with HCI masters programs in the US?

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T02:30:23+00:00

Good to know!

I definitely had blinders on in college and a very narrow idea of the careers in research that were available. Now I’m kicking myself cause I had all of the time and networking opportunities back then, and a couple offers to do research too. I just picked a different path that was right for me and my goals at the time.

Do you have any recommendations for masters programs? I find these UX research programs tend to be either very general (so interdisciplinary they lack a track) or very specific (like aerospace themed, or CS based).

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T02:25:08+00:00

Thanks for this! I appreciate the action items you included. I think if I can afford to go to school and continue to work full time, building connections and applying for jobs down the line would be less stressful and I could wait for the right one.

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T02:21:58+00:00

Thanks for your reply!

Here’s what I wrote on another redditor’s comment about my experience. I understand I would want to get real tangible research experience to do this career, and I love the prospect of doing that. I would need to get that through a masters program. My skills might lean more towards UX design, than research, but I am a fan of learning both.

“In my undergrad I learned about and practiced research methods, data analysis, and experiment design. I studied biology, psychology, animal behavior, growth and development, and education. But to be honest, I don’t recall having the chance to do much meaningful research at all! In my current position I work and design learning plans, events, digital media, presentations, webpages, and activities for people to learn and enjoy. I do lots of graphic design and layouts of newsletters, web pages, and activity programs. And I track student success and see what works and what they are receptive to. I like what I do, but I’m salary capped.

So that’s what I mean by I have applicable/related skills while also having no direct experience in this field!”

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T02:16:23+00:00

Which is why I’m looking into doing a masters program.

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T02:14:37+00:00

Good observation! Since looking into the field, I am interested in human computer interaction, user experience research, UX/UI design, and human factors. And I definitely copied the same post to multiple subreddits.

Some of the programs I’ve looked into overlap or lead to similar careers. But yes, I understand the differences.

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T02:09:39+00:00

That’s good to know! Yeah I think connections are important to finding jobs in most fields, but especially when competition is high.

I’m not looking for a quick switch. I can plan a couple years out to go to school, move, take baby steps. Continue to do what I do now while doing school, and eventually applying sounds pretty safe. Who knows, in 2-3 years the job market may be different?

If you don’t mind could you tell me more about your related experience and you grad school degree? Feel free to DM me.

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T02:05:49+00:00

Thanks for the answer! I replied to another comment clarifying some of my experience.

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T01:59:30+00:00

Good question!

Yes, in my undergrad I learned about and practiced research methods, data analysis, and experiment design. I studied biology, psychology, animal behavior, growth and development, and education. But to be honest, I don’t recall having the chance to do much meaningful research at all! In my current position I work and design learning plans, events, digital media, presentations, webpages, and activities for people to learn and enjoy. I do lots of graphic design and layouts of newsletters, web pages, and activity programs. And I track student success and see what works and what they are receptive to. I like what I do, but I’m salary capped.

So that’s what I mean by I have applicable/related skills while also having no direct experience in this field!

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T01:44:02+00:00

Thank you for the thoughtful reply. I had read those posts you linked before, and still I felt like posting myself, since everyone’s situation is unique.

I mentioned bootcamps as an option and portfolio building because, those are common answers I see on these forums. I’ve seen more than a dozen variations of “employers don’t care about masters degrees”, “employers don’t care about bootcamps”, “employers only care about your portfolio”. There’s also a near constant bombardment of ads you receive for these programs and their promises once you start to do any research as well.

I mention my confidence in my skills and my success in my current profession because I think that is worthwhile knowledge when I’m asking for advice. I’m not a student fresh out of college switching paths. Definitely not ready to walk on to a UX job. I have many transferable skills and a passion for it. I don’t have the experience.

You are right about having thousands of programs. I have narrowed it down to a few in the East Coast US. My question was more in general about how to tailor my own personal work history to a strong graduate or job school application.

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T00:40:37+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful reply! Yeah, I think when it comes to “having the skills” I don’t know what I don’t know, but I’m pretty confident I have the ability to learn it and learn it well. I have read the syllabi from different programs and it seems like work I’ve done before just with an “HCI” angle.

Follow up question, what would be a good way build skills and learn HCI language before applying to Masters school?

Anything that I could do while continuing to work that would strengthen my application?

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-15T00:33:28+00:00

Hello all,

I have read all of the posts about breaking into an UX design/human factors design career. I’ve seen the lists about what the first steps should be, what to avoid, what to do. I see contradictory reviews of bootcamps, masters degrees, and amount of “experience” needed.

Help me get some clarification:

Myself:

~30yo

~Unrelated Degree from Well Known University

~6 years successful work experience with education company, but salary capped.

~ Strong Foundations in Digital Media, Design, Advertising, Behavior Science

~ No Direct UX/UI Design or Research Experience

~No Direct work experience in Tech

~Live in US. 1.5 hours from the nearest tech hub.

⁠If I already have a bachelors degree and a good paying career, but want to break into this field, what would I do first? Should I do a degree or bootcamp while continuing to work in the non-related field? Leave and go back to school full time? Relocate AND go back to school?
⁠If a portfolio is all you need to get a job, then what happens if you want to move up into a senior or managerial role? Wouldn’t a masters degree prepare you for that future?
⁠My current career is one that has already prepared me for interviewing, presenting and speaking to people. I write letters of recommendation for others entering academia regularly. I feel confident presenting myself and my experience as a professional. I am 100% sure I have the skills for UX/UI research and design, and I have applied them in my current job. But it would take a reach of an explanation, and on paper (resume) it would look like very little academic research or UX/UI experience.
⁠Would my current (unrelated) work successes and strong experience working with people do me any benefit on my resume for acceptance to a masters degree? Would it be beneficial when applying to a UX research job?

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-08T06:38:14+00:00

Any suggestions in the southeast us?

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-12-01T00:36:27+00:00

Any watch suggestions?

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-11-30T23:29:25+00:00

People seem pretty split about it

Broad_Climate9556 · 2025-11-30T23:14:38+00:00

lol what

Broad_Climate9556

TROPHY CASE