55. Learning the ABCs of UX Education With Julia Debari

From academia to bootcamps and self-learning, we unpack your options for your journey into UX.

In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Julia DeBari, a true gem in the UX field. With a rich background in UX design, education, and operations, Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our discussion on UX education.

Julia and I dig deep into the heart of UX education, exploring the nuances and intricacies of different learning paths. Julia’s experience, particularly in the realms of bootcamps and design education, sheds light on the evolving landscape of UX learning. We discuss the pros and cons of traditional academia, the dynamic world of bootcamps, and the self-driven route of learning, providing a comprehensive view that’s rarely discussed in such detail.

This episode is not just a discussion; it’s a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone just starting out in their UX career. So dive in as we unravel the “ABCs” of UX education with Julia DeBari and discover how to tailor your educational journey to fit your unique career aspirations in UX design.

Topics:
• 05:49 – Look for a career portfolio, not a ladder
• 08:54 – Colleges have accreditation program
• 15:04 – Types of education
• 18:23 – Certificate programs are often outsourced to private companies
• 20:32 – Certificate vs 4 yr degree
• 23:13 – University pros and cons
• 28:57 – Self-taught certificates
• 30:53 – Pros and cons of self-learning
• 35:20 – Red flags of boot camps
• 42:50 – Money-back guarantee
• 44:15 – Green flags
• 45:17 – Dedicated mentors who can focus on you
• 54:35 – Red/green flags of university programs
• 64:40 – How to get the most out of your investment

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Julia on LinkedIn
• juliad.com

Julia DeBari
Senior Service Designer | UX Educator & Mentor | Design Program Manager | Speaker | Accessibility Champion

About Julia

Julia has flown from San Francisco to Stockholm for a three-day weekend just to immerse herself in the experience. She approaches life with a quiet, principled version of humanism, deep thoughtfulness, and imagination, guided by her inner vision, personal values, conscientiousness, and integrity. With over two decades in the field, Julia has dug into user experience design, design education, and design operations. She’s passionate about optimizing processes and facilitating workshops. Her mission is to help improve people’s lives and businesses through human-centered design, systems thinking, and servant leadership.

Connect with Julia on LinkedIn

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