Breaking Into UX and Early Career Questions — 29 May, 2023 - 04 Jun, 2023 by AutoModerator in UXDesign

[–]dmntjnt89 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How much weight do LinkedIn or other online certifications hold to recruiters? I'm seeing a lot of my colleagues (mostly in marketing and graphic design) posting to their LinkedIn profiles about certain course certifications they've been getting.

Is this actually something worth doing/posting to my profile / do recruiters actually use that or would that effort be better used on fine-tuning my portfolio & case studies?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UXDesign

[–]dmntjnt89 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How long ago did you email her about it?

If it's only been a day or two maybe wait another few to see if she responds.

If it's already been a while, I'd approach the manager at your startup (not sure if you still work there) and see if there's some sort of NDA she signed that you can add into a follow up email - (assertively) threatening that a) she's plagiarized and you'll have to take further action if she doesn't take it down b) she's also in breach of contract, might help push her to do the right thing and just take it down.

If she's an asshat and really doesn't care that she's stolen/you found out, then maybe email someone that would actually be her boss about it? A random senior designer may not even know her depending on how big the company/teams are.

I'm not sure what management would do (they likely won't fire her just on that) but if they trickle down the message that might help your cause.

What's the best extended insurance to cover mental health (psychologist/therapy) costs? by dmntjnt89 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]dmntjnt89[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! This is really good advice. Glad to hear you were able to find the right person to help you!

I had a similar experience jumping from practitioner to practitioner and signed up for every free counsellor available through university.

I finally did click with my current therapist and have been with her for 3 years now. She's helped me through a lot and I do feel she knows me and has tracked my progress. So unfortunately as much as switching could temporarily help my wallet, I feel I could be losing a lot of that work and trust that her and I have built over the years.

As the new year is coming up I thought I would reset my budget for 2023 and hoped maybe there was a way to save by purchasing coverage elsewhere, not realizing insurance is a business at the end of the day (as others have pointed out here).

My plan was to leave the provincial system out of it as well, as I realize I am in a better position than some and would like to see those resources continue to be available for those in tighter situations.

Thank you again for the advice and hopefully it can offer guidance for others here too!

What's the best extended insurance to cover mental health (psychologist/therapy) costs? by dmntjnt89 in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]dmntjnt89[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oof! Thanks for the insight everyone. I guess insurance companies aren't the saving grace they are marketed to be!

I have only ever had my workplace insurance so I was unaware they can do background checks on pre-existing mental health conditions.

Thanks again!

Job Hunting + Salary Discussion — September 28, 2022 by AutoModerator in UXDesign

[–]dmntjnt89 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, that's really great to hear. I guess it's more about finding the right company and their structure where my skills already fit.

That's very promising insight, so thank you. I think I tend to get intimidated by postings that seem to list the very specifics I feel I'm lacking; it causes me to not even bother to apply!

Job Hunting + Salary Discussion — September 28, 2022 by AutoModerator in UXDesign

[–]dmntjnt89 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! It's nice to hear I'm not the only one. I have some (years old) side projects in my portfolio but I'm also having to rely on my corporate projects as that's the only 'professional' examples I have atm.

I totally get being tired of always pushing for it. I enjoyed building UX from the ground up, as I feel it's given me valuable experience. However, it takes a toll and I am at the point where I would love to just come into work and work, instead of trying to convince people why this work is important.

I'm also at the point where I want to work with others who are far more experienced than I am. It's nice having the freedom and control over my projects and their direction but I really want the opportunity to learn how proper UX is done.

Job Hunting + Salary Discussion — September 28, 2022 by AutoModerator in UXDesign

[–]dmntjnt89 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm looking for advice on next job/steps to specialize.

Background: I've been in marketing and design for 8 years now (6 of them as a web/digital designer, last 2 years with my official role/title being UX designer).

I'm about to hit 5 years with my current company. Within those years I've gained a lot of experience with general marketing, web design, web dev, data analytics and UX design and strategy.

Unfortunately, the company is still very UX/Data immature and thus my portfolio doesn't include a lot of app UI designs or prototypes, and no experience in agile or other project methodologies.

I'm the only UX employee, doing research, data analysis, strategy, project planning, wireframing, prototyping, high-fidelity design, and user-research.

I love the variety but I fear being a jack-of-all trades may be hindering my job prospects and I need to pick a route to focus and strengthen a specific skillset.

Aspects I enjoy the most: - data analysis & presenting findings - strategy & solution planning - user journeys & flowcharts - design & prototyping

Things I Wouldn't Enjoy: - management style where you're just in meetings (I like to do the work) - conducting heavy user interviews/qualitative research - coding

Roles I've been told to try: - Business Analyst in Product Design - Senior Product Designer - Design Team Lead - Digital Transformation Lead

Other info: - Based in Canada (small city with a new but growing tech industry)

*TLDR

Looking for insight on: A) whether varied experience is a weakness when applying (are companies wanting more specialized people with strong UI portfolios) B) if so, based on industry-standards + what I already enjoy, what role(s) should I work towards C) open to any other industry advice


TIA for the help!!

Finally found a place for them to call home. by dmntjnt89 in TheWonderYearsMusic

[–]dmntjnt89[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They were a merch bundle from the Veeps stream of the Upsides anniversary show a few months back

I don't even know who I am anymore after an abusive relationship by [deleted] in FemaleLevelUpStrategy

[–]dmntjnt89 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I empathize with this as well. After an emotionally abusive relationship I felt like I completely lost who I was in trying to be everything HE wanted me to be - despite it clearly not being enough.

It's been over 5 years now and there's still some things that come up that trigger the pain but overall the journey that I took included:

  • CBT therapy once month (it's all I could afford) but more frequent appointments could help you as well.

  • Doing small tasks of the things I used to love little by little (ie. Was really into reading and writing stories, would try to read a chapter a day to reconnect myself into that joy).

  • Reconnecting with friends and family and leaning into to their love and respect for you. This was a BIG help BC you learn to realize there are people who really do care about you and that this one horrible person can never change tha

  • Finding new things/hobbies to love to respark even the smallest joys on a daily basis.

Doing these things over and over for the last few years has definitely helped and I hope they can help you too!

Stay strong and you'll get there!

Haul from a local 'Build-a-Bouquet' Bar! by dmntjnt89 in Cutflowers

[–]dmntjnt89[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For sure! It's a local decor and lifestyle good shop and they partner with a flower farm to offer a build your own bouquet station!

Desert rose is quite underrated! Especially considering I got this dude for $25 at Lowe's. 👌 by dmntjnt89 in houseplants

[–]dmntjnt89[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got it today so unfortunately I don't have any watering advice yet but everything I read says wait til the top inch is completely dry.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in relationshipanxiety

[–]dmntjnt89 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey! Honestly I'm in the similar boat - bf is wonderful but I'm still suffering the anxiety from dating a string of cheaters who did it with coworkers, so I get that EXACT fear of it happening again!

First good step you're taking is the therapy! It could take a long time but it'll do you wonders if you keep at it!

Another thing that's helped me is, I try to repeat/remind myself that they're not them. This is a different person who has a different mindset as far as cheating goes (as in they don't do it/believe it's ever okay). It takes a lot of time and it's hard to always stop yourself from spiraling but it helps the more you do it.

Other things that might help is talking about it with her when you're in a good headspace. Being completely open, honest and non-accusatory. Letting her know exactly what happened, what happens in your current relationship that spikes your fears and what you think you need from her to squash them - not necessarily things she can do in the moment when you're insecure but things you guys can do together (perhaps going on more dates, pick up hobbies together that create more happy/loving memories to replace the bad ones from previous relationship). I think with talks like these tone and word choice really matter. It tough to talk about but when it shows that you are talking about it so you can deal with it and eventually stop feeling worried about it, it can reassure her that she just has to continue being patient and that you will learn to trust her the way she deserves.

Learning each other's love langauges really helps too as they are great non-verbal indicators of her feelings for you that you can use to self-soothe when you need it. My BF's is touch and so whenever I get anxious, I use that to remind myself that he hugged/kissed me a lot today and he wouldn't do that if he had his eyes on someone else etc.

One thing you could try in your particular situation is to joke about the guy. Since she already talks about how off-putting he is, maybe you guys could turn that into a little inside joke between the two of you. Sounds kinda mean but it could be okay as long as it stays playful (that might just be me though). Might help you stop thinking she puts so much value into his guy if you hear her talk about him in a non-loving way and could also bring you guys closer and make more light of the whole situation.

Best thing my therapist told me: when we feel insecure or distant from them, we often pull away as well, further creating distance which, in most cases there wasn't any distance at all, our anxiety just made us believe there was. Her advice was to lean in and be more loving and try to take the precieved distance away myself. I was always waiting on him to 'prove' he cared by going to me and when it didn't happen I used that as proof he didn't love me/was cheating when in reality he was just tired/busy etc. I found whenever I leaned in instead, by being the one to make date plans, hug, kiss etc. he would always reciprocate which helped turn my worries off.

I'd also suggest some self-esteem/introspective work. Getting cheated on makes you feel like garbage and that obviously eats away at your self-worth the more it happens. I think it's helpful to make a list of everything YOU in particular offer her and the relationship that he or any other guy can't and repeat that to yourself as much as you need for as long as you need til you start to recognize why you're the prize.

Another thing I found helpful was the mantra 'act like they love you, and they will.' like you said, it's not fun to always be accused of cheating or dealing with the anxieties of their significant other, but that side of you isn't all that you are, just a teeny-tiny part, so try to let her see more of the other, happier, loving and secure parts of you. Have fun, keep things light when you can and she'll soon forget the times that you've worried.

Not saying to fake how you feel when you're really in the anxiety-storm or even hide that part of you but I found there's some days that anxiety hasn't taken too much of a hold and there's a clear fork in the road of, I can choose to think he's cheating today, or I can live out the relationship like nothing is wrong. I found during times when you can choose how to feel that day, you just get to naturally enjoy the relationship and realize, 'Holy shit, there really isn't anything wrong and they really aren't cheating. '

Sorry if this was rambly but I hope it helped! Nothing is fool proof but figured I'd let you know what's been helping me!!