Women own less, save less, carry more debt, and are less financially literate than men. That changes now.
free advice from…
Get answers straight from the career and finance pros.
If you've considered a career change, don't sleep on roles in UX design. To learn more about a job in this space, we spoke with Sarah Doody, a UX designer (aka someone who makes websites user-friendly) and the founder of Career Strategy Lab, a career growth resource for professionals in UX, product development, and tech.
What drew you to UX as a career?
I read a book called “Information Architecture for the World Wide Web,” which is about how websites are organized. I thought, “This is what I need to do because it combines the technical and creative sides of my brain.” It challenged me intellectually and creatively, and I think that's what has really made me stick with it.
What makes UX design a good career choice in today’s job market?
There are so many businesses that want to add a digital component to their offerings or use digital services to make their operations run smoother. For example, hair salons that need to implement online booking, and government websites that need to be optimized. All of these businesses are evolving in a more digital way, and that’s not changing in the next five years.
What are three things you wish every aspiring UX designer knew?
1. Your education is never over. If you think you're just going to spend six months learning and then be done, this may not be for you. I still learn new stuff every single day.
2. Focus on soft skills. Methods change. But your ability to write clearly, think critically, and not freak out if you're called into a meeting with the chief revenue officer is very valuable.
3. Treat your career like a product. Be open to both experimenting and failing in your career. You, as a person, are not a failure. It's just the experiment that failed.
Answers are edited and condensed for clarity.
ask an expert
You told us you want more expert-backed advice and we heard you. Starting next week, our Free Advice column will become Ask an Expert, a feature you’ll start seeing across theSkimm. How it works: Each week, we’ll pose three questions for you to choose from. You vote on the one you most want to be answered. Then, in an upcoming edition of Skimm Money, we’ll tap an expert to respond to the winning question. Get in on the action by voting in the first poll below. Happy asking!
money win
An inside look at how women are building wealth.
“I moved my family from Texas to Colorado and purchased my first home in the same month that I landed a director of social media position at my dream social impact agency!”
— Jillian B (CO). Manifesting a new house and a dream job? Talk about Lucky Girl Syndrome.
Scored a raise, saved up for a big purchase, or reached another money goal? Tell us about it here. Quotes are edited and condensed for clarity.
for the group chat
The money stories everyone’s talking about.
AI might be able to predict the future…
Of home prices.
The latest CPI data is in, and food prices are slightly up…
Here's why things could get worse.
Airfare prices are falling slightly, according to data from Hopper…
But it might be too good to last.
Many BIPOC workers prefer WFH to avoid in-office microaggressions…
And many also dread the idea of returning to the office.
investment piece
The items celebs and influencers think are worth the big bucks.
Investing in travel goes beyond just purchasing a plane ticket. Which is something that Courtney Orgias, the world traveler and mom behind @o.family.adventures, knows all too well. Below, Orgias, who’s traveled with her family to places like Brazil and Portugal, fills us in on a recent purchase that’s improved her travel experience and keeps her belongings safe while on the go.
What’s a recent purchase you made that felt like an investment?
A three-piece set of Samsonite luggage. It's a really cute blue color, which makes finding it at the end of a flight really easy.
How much did you spend on it?
About $1,100. (Psst…the set is currently selling for $809.97 at Saks Fifth Avenue.)
Why do you consider it a good investment?
If you travel often, a durable, high-quality set of luggage is indispensable. It's gonna make your life easier and better. And if you invest in good, high-quality pieces, you're protecting all of your other, smaller investments. Like if you travel for work with your technology, you're making sure that all of your things are protected by investing in that one asset.
Answers are edited and condensed for clarity.
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