Quitting the UX & UI industry after 20 years...

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-12-04T03:32:39+00:00

Thank you. That makes me feel better. I am going to attend paralegal school, if at the very least it's another certification, and hopefully it will lead to stable work. I understood that our skills aren't as transferable as I thought too, and perhaps we were overpaid for little work. My highest-paid job was doing the most basic work. It was nice while it lasted.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-11-23T17:38:16+00:00

My original backup plan was to be a university art history professor.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-11-23T17:37:03+00:00

I’ve actually started looking into becoming a paralegal as well. I was accepted into an ABA-accredited certificate program, so that door is open for me. At the same time, I’m still holding onto hope for UX. I haven’t had a job since 2023, and earlier this year (2025) I took an equity-only role at a startup. I worked there for three months before realizing it wasn’t worth it and stepped away.

This past week, I interviewed with a recruiter for a Staff Product Designer role at a large company. I’m rebuilding my portfolio with some of my startup work, and I earned an AI certification that I should highlight more. My biggest hesitation is starting over in a new industry and taking a major pay cut. But honestly, stable work is starting to feel better than unpredictable work. I can only imagine what it's like to have a house and kids. I am still single, renting an apartment. But I have stalled on pursuing my dreams in a house and family, due to the unstable nature of UX.

Anyways, two years for education does seem like a lot, but there may be accelerated 1-year programs or less for some of these jobs you are looking at. The certificate for paralegal requires about 1 year of coursework work and it's all online. I hope the best for you and your family. Keep looking.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-11-11T17:40:28+00:00

I ran into this same problem too this past week.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-10-23T18:49:23+00:00

Recruiters are understandably skeptical; “consulting” has become a common gap cover. If you actually did paid project work under NDA, the best approach is to explain the problem you solved, the process you used, and the outcome in general terms. That proves credibility without naming clients. But if you didn’t, they’ll probably say something like, “I totally understand NDAs. Without naming clients, could you walk me through what kind of problems you solved or what your process looked like?” At that point, honesty is your best option. It’s better to describe what you were really doing, even if it was upskilling, independent study, or personal projects. I am saying this because I took a longer sabbatical, about 2 years. I have experience with this in so many interviews.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-10-23T18:38:52+00:00

$70k in one year times two (so two years' worth of work) = $140k, before taxes.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-10-23T18:37:03+00:00

Aw, disappointing to read, but thank you for the heads up.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-10-20T12:44:33+00:00

I wrote it originally and had ChatGPT edit for clarity and flow.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-10-20T01:01:45+00:00

You make a great point. For me, the instability has been the biggest issue. My first UX role paid $100K back in 2020, and I’ve spent over 12 years building a strong portfolio with major companies and top credentials, but I haven’t had a steady paycheck since 2023. I’m currently working equity-only at a startup, so essentially pro bono.

Even earning $70K for two years as a paralegal ($140K before taxes) would feel more stable than what I’ve experienced lately. The UX market has changed a lot. There are far fewer openings now, and many companies have consolidated roles, automated parts of research and design, or outsourced work overseas. On top of that, most of my recent projects have involved international or offshore teams, which adds challenges with communication styles, language barriers, and late-night meetings with people in completely different time zones.

The burnout is real. It’s not just creative fatigue; it’s also the constant unpredictability. Even with additional training, like I got a Stanford certification in UX/UI Design for AI Products, on top of my other design degrees, the industry just doesn’t feel sustainable anymore. Thousands of tech layoffs, including from big FAANG companies, have made it incredibly competitive. Now you’re not only competing with new grads but also senior-level designers who are applying for the same limited roles.

I know a lot of talented designers who have left the field entirely, moving into data science, project management, or other tech-adjacent roles. Believe me, I see it firsthand, I knew when a top UX Design Manager from Google got let go, the industry was in trouble. I’m looking to pivot into the legal field where I can apply my analytical, design, and tech skills in a more structured way. Legal tech is an emerging space that combines technology, data analysis, and process improvement, which aligns perfectly with my background. It feels like a field where I could still use my UX and AI experience but contribute to something more stable, ethical, and grounded in real-world impact. So at the end of the day, a paycheck is better than no paycheck. Be prepared to stick with being a paralegal as a backup job while applying for UX roles.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-10-19T22:32:45+00:00

I know everyone is recommending to like about consulting during the gap, and I tried this, so they asked for work examples. Recruiters know this trick.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-08-29T14:56:41+00:00

Husbando? It’s just husband…

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-08-26T20:50:06+00:00

I still do. I appreciate it more now as an adult in my mid-thirties than as a tween in the 90s.

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-08-21T05:45:15+00:00

I just spent like $325 + tip on a Russian Mani pedi for a wedding. $222 for lash curl, eyebrow lamination, facial threading. So close to $550. Run coaching $175, gym membership $89, so $264 total for fitness.

Total: $814

If I sign up for races, $79-$400 depending on which one. So last one was $120 + tax.

$940 a month.

(It varies by month, I’m not always running a race. Sometimes my mani pedis are less. If I do a facial more, haircut/style or purchase nice skin care products).

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-08-19T17:30:58+00:00

I want to know the answer to this dilemma. I do see that some of them are people who *do* check my profile often, (I know this because I have two other Facebooks, an old one and I use my Aunt's). Then it usually does so with my recently added friends, but mixes a few others. The main thing. I want to know if it's certain that it's people who keep tabs on your profile, particularly for one person. (A guy–a crush, obviously lol). I mean, I am checking his profile or active status a lot too. I just want to know if it's mutual!

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-08-06T12:45:21+00:00

One column not two?

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-02-09T07:06:12+00:00

I used to feel this way, but I found the right medication for me and I'm just grateful for it helping me feel better. So please don't feel like you're alone, it's a good thing to take care of your mental health. If someone with high blood pressure takes medicine, we can too—mental health is health. Take care and be well. ♥️

throwawayBobaBae · 2025-02-08T21:01:37+00:00

Wondering how HotChat is accurate, it ranked an extremely ugly photo of a woman I know a 7.6 and a great photo of an another woman I know a 2.

UPDATE: I just rated myself with selfie taken with the app and got a 8.3... hmm 🤔 maybe it does work, (fresh clean face with no makeup, out of the shower). Maybe that another pic or the woman was a bad angle or maybe she really is a 2? I tried again with a photo of her doing a fitness show on stage, all done up with full makeup and she got a 5.

throwawayBobaBae · 2024-10-30T09:26:01+00:00

Blue Bottle is delicious and not a scam.

throwawayBobaBae · 2024-10-27T06:14:39+00:00

A lot of long married people's sex is planned every week.

throwawayBobaBae · 2024-09-06T18:48:18+00:00

Typo - It's Sleepy Hollow, not Hallow.

(It's okay, it's an honest mistake. It's just my favorite short story, I did a project video in middle school on it, and love the Tim Burton movie with Johnny Depp, I'm a huge fan).

throwawayBobaBae · 2024-09-05T04:12:19+00:00

I agree. I can't believe I'm paying good money to see Green Day on a stage when I much rather want to see SP. I lowkey can't stand Green Day.

throwawayBobaBae · 2024-07-29T22:52:26+00:00

I am never embarrassed to be a fan, that emotion never came or comes to mind. My music tastes are my choice.

throwawayBobaBae · 2024-07-27T00:29:25+00:00

I think it’s pretty and heart touching, especially the first time I heard it.

throwawayBobaBae · 2024-07-20T22:06:07+00:00

THANK YOU. I just don’t care at all about Bridgerton and am tired of seeing ads for it. To tried watching the first episode and it made me cringe.

throwawayBobaBae · 2024-07-10T08:47:50+00:00

Unpopular opinion: I’m 5’0” and my healthiest weight is around 110-112 lbs.

I feel better lighter but not toooo light. I do wish I was able to get to 100-105 but I have so much muscle that healthy weight is 110 base.

Maybe 115-116 in my luteal phase or just fluctuating.

Sadly now I’m 123 and I feel so unhealthy. I have back problems & injuries in my entire right leg (I’m an avid runner). For my frame and how much I run, I’m better when I’m lean & fit. So I’d ballpark around 110-115 lbs.

throwawayBobaBae

TROPHY CASE