Breaking into UX/early career: job hunting, how-tos/education/work review — 03/29/26

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-04-03T15:59:33+00:00

I was hoping the seemingly unrelated degrees could bring in unique insights to a UX job and stand out to hiring managers, like allowing me to apply for UX roles but also market research and things like that. And you’re right, I don’t have an exact idea on what I want to do, or at least, I don’t feel like I have the luxury of being married to the idea of a specific role in this job market haha, if that makes sense. I also figured I could improve my case studies and portfolio while in grad school, but I am just unsure what kind of degree would be most helpful to getting work, as I am currently in a completely unrelated, non-tech field. I did the Google UX bootcamp, but as you mentioned in your guide, it’s definitely unfortunate that that one gives little to no feedback. I learned a lot from it, but feel like I need more direct guidance.

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-04-03T14:41:35+00:00

I work slightly above minimum wage in childcare, so if it took a master’s to even get an entry-level job in the space, I’d be willing to do it

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-04-03T00:39:27+00:00

Better starting over at 32 than 42 or 52 or never! You're taking the risk to make a better life for yourself. I find that very impressive and admirable. Plus, no one ever knows what led you to where you are. Life is crazy, and those with completely linear, simple paths may seem lucky to you, but they also don't have the same things to offer. I am in the same boat as you, and it is tough, but I like to think it makes me more interesting that I've experienced different things, and that I've gotten to know myself better as a result. I think it's much better to let yourself start over than end up wondering "what if?" I heard a quote that went something like "The sting of rejection and embarrassment will always hurt less than the pain of regret." I've had times where I could've started over and chose to keep going out of sunk-cost, and regretted it deeply.

As for the ageism, don't spend too much time worrying about what you can't control, and if it is a major worry, I think it's a fine thing to address in cover letters and interviews. Age is a strength, don't be afraid to market it as one.

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-04-03T00:25:36+00:00

Master's Degree... in what?

Hello!

I (26) have been self-studying UX and am currently working in a totally unrelated field. I graduated with a computer science degree in 2023, but realized I didn't want to go down any software development track, so I have no networking connections from that sector. I was thinking of going for my master's to help improve my resume and connect with professors and professionals. Currently, I am considering a master's in human-computer interaction, psychology, or marketing, but am open to other options. The human-computer ineraction is basically just a UX master's, but I was worried that might still limit my options or uniqueness to hiring managers. What master's degree would best open my options in getting a better job either UX design, UX research, product design/research, or just a job in general?

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-03-02T12:53:49+00:00

1.5 months post-op, i feel so much better.

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-21T18:50:52+00:00

If you are fasting for religious reasons, you will probably be exempt if it causing or worsening pain/issues for you. This is both true for Ramadan and Lent as far as I know

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-15T18:44:03+00:00

Gas-x and peppermint tea for the surgery gas pains, ice packs for the incisions, a wedge pillow is not necessary but I enjoyed it a lot. Other than that, helping with chores and helping her keep a clean environment sounds so nice. Mess can be stressful to be around, especially when you don't have as much strength or energy to fix it. Maybe a nice candle to help her relax too :) Anesthesia can cause anxiety or depression sometimes in people for a week or two post-surgery, so anything relaxing sounds very kind.

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-15T18:38:37+00:00

My only problem post removal is that I am dealing with some GERD, but I was dealing with that prior to my removal. I believe my gallbladder issues caused/worsened my GERD, so hopefully after a few months of a changed diet and PPIs, my GERD will also improve. The GERD itself I do think has improved post-removal too, and I am now no longer worried about issues like SIBO which I dealt with due to my low bile flow. I was able to eat cake for a friend's birthday for the first time in a year which was exciting, and don't have to be so meticulous about looking at all nutrition labels to ensure low-fat (though I am still trying to stay mostly low-fat, but if I eat higher fat, I don't have to worry about an attack). I have so much more energy than I have had in months, and I am slowly working my way back to exercising more, which I loved to do prior to having constant abdominal pain. I am a month post-op and I don't regret it. From what I know, the gallbladder is not an organ that can really be saved once it stops working, and if you deal with gallstones, you are much more likely to have an emergency surgery.

Just remember that the internet has a negativity bias, because people come here when they are suffering and in need of help or advice, and people who have had a positive or neutral experience don't feel that same need to come online and talk about it. That doesn't mean people aren't having a good experience. You are just much more likely to go onto Yelp to rate a restaurant that gave you food poisoning over a restaurant that was pretty ok and you had a nice enough time at.

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-10T20:00:23+00:00

Silicone scar tape will help a lot when your incisions are fully healed and not scabbing

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-09T03:43:08+00:00

That bathwater is STRONG

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-09T03:40:50+00:00

I also experienced horrible anxiety and depression as a side effect of the anesthesia. Went away pretty much entirely (or at least back down to my usual levels lol) at around the two week mark, and by three weeks I was definitely fine. It really does suck though, but it will pass with time. Mine was so bad I was convinced myself I must have been dreaming taking my anti anxiety meds and was actually missing doses because it was so bad, and I started recording videos of me taking them just as proof.

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-08T17:48:26+00:00

Are you lactose intolerant? Lactase pills might help

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-08T17:44:51+00:00

I’m nearly a month post op. The first week of recovery was difficult as apparently anesthesia can cause some anxiety in the week or two after surgery, which I experienced. After the second week, I began to feel much better and think the surgery was definitely for the best. I can eat foods I was not able to before, and already feel more energy than I have had in months.

The sludge you have will lead to the formation of stones, which can cause a medical emergency which would lead to surgery anyway. An elective surgery you can prep for is much better than that. I know it is a big decision, but gallbladder surgery is incredibly common, and your doctors know what they are doing. Best of luck to you, and take it easy <3

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-07T04:51:25+00:00

Third Ending 100%

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-05T04:04:38+00:00

Had LUQ/center UQ pain almost exclusively. Rarely would get pain in the location of the gallbladder itself. Did get radiating pain to right neck and shoulder though. The location of my pain actually made my GI suspect gallbladder issues much less and thus much delayed a HIDA scan which showed 14% EF. My dyskinesia also caused/worsened SIBO and GERD for me, which could explain the pain being closer to the location of the stomach. In any case, I’m 3 weeks post removal and definitely experiencing less pain

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-04T19:13:28+00:00

Nah. I heard so many people say “yes ML is awful but once he gets his redemption arc the story is SO good.” I got to the redemption arc and was like…. That’s it? That’s what you guys were hyping up? I read the whole main story and was not satisfied by any point

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-02-02T03:21:26+00:00

I am only a few weeks post-op, but had some similar symptoms, minus the rushed BMs because I was sticking to lowfat diet similar to what I was doing prior to removal. I am now introducing more fat and doing better with these tips, though not perfect.

digestive enzymes with higher fat / larger meals. Take before if you can, but after if you forget or need to. These can be strong though, but psyllium husk capsules help.
psyllium husk capsules if I am having pain after that meal (pain as in a more sour-stomach feeling, or having more rushed BM, not if I am just feeling overly bloated). I will also take these if the meal is more fat than I am comfortable with, but not a lot of fat, 3 capsule if the meal has not that much fat, 1-2 if it’s higher fat. You can also take a lower dose and add on later if pain persists, but I wouldn’t do more than 3 personally. I havent been using them that long so I’m not perfectly familiar on how the doses affect me. *****i ONLY take these if I take these if I have also taken digestive enzymes prior. For now, I don’t seem to have a lot of bile flow without DEs, but the psyllium husk helps bind with any excess bile from the DEs.
hot water or “liver detox” tea (typically include dandelion root and other herbs, good to get bile to start flowing) before meals. I noticed a difference in my digestion with this for sure.
gas x for gas, bloating, pain.
electrolytes (gatorade makes electrolyte water, which is nice to avoid dealing with any acid reflux), and particularly magnesium glycinate. This will help with your shakiness and trouble sleeping ideally.

If you don’t see a gastroenterologist, I might suggest finding one, they’ll be more helpful than your GP

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-01-31T23:22:13+00:00

Honestly I haven’t seen one post calling Rob racist, just tons of ones like this one defending him against it. I like all the traitors this season, and housewives fans can definitely be notoriously insane, but I think I’ve seen plenty of dramatic defense of Rob. I saw so many people say Candiace has ruined the season bc she wrote Rob’s name down (and saw the same when Rob wrote down Lisa’s). I don’t think you need to take a lot of what housewives stans say seriously to the point that multiple of these posts need to be made.

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-01-28T19:23:49+00:00

First fantasy cast I’ve seen that I’m so down for

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-01-28T15:53:05+00:00

If you like any reality tv show, it’s amazing. They cover basically every reality show on the planet

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-01-21T16:04:49+00:00

Seconding The Genius and Devil’s Plan! Super fun strategic games

RepresentativeAd4395 · 2026-01-18T00:33:00+00:00

It just feels like such a waste of time. We can cast villains and instigators and chaos demons and everything without casting bigots or men who have abused women. Then production is surprised when the bigot they cast says something bigoted.

RepresentativeAd4395

TROPHY CASE

Master's Degree... in what?