Why Every Designer Needs a Plan B With Edward Chechique

What if your job title doesn’t define your career? What if your “career” wasn’t the point at all?

We were told that if we worked hard, got good at UX, and built a solid portfolio, we’d be fine. But in 2025, none of that seems to be working. In this episode, I sit down with Edward Chechique to talk about what happens when the traditional path to career success just… stops working.

Edward has been laid off, ghosted, and judged by hiring managers who didn’t get it. So he stopped waiting. He built his own path—from writing and content creation to launching products and teaching others how to use AI to work smarter. This isn’t a fairytale story about becoming a millionaire. It’s about regaining your agency and deciding what you want from your career.

If you’re tired of trying to fit into boxes that never seemed to fit quite right, this episode is your permission slip to stop waiting for the industry to come save you—and start building a version of success that actually works for you.

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Edward on LinkedIn
• Watch Edward on YouTube
• Follow Edward on Medium

Topics:
• 02:46 – Redefining Careers in Design
• 03:17 – Interview with Edward Chechique
• 04:59 – Edward’s Journey in Design
• 09:10 – Navigating the Job Market
• 13:32 – Adapting and Diversifying Skills
• 16:24 – Entrepreneurial Mindset and Self-Employment
• 27:10 – Challenges and Realities of Self-Employment
• 30:38 – Entrepreneurial Upbringing vs. Traditional Employment
• 31:55 – Navigating Financial Uncertainty
• 33:33 – Saving Strategies and Lifestyle Choices
• 38:49 – Cultural Shifts and Economic Impact
• 41:42 – Closing Thoughts

Edward Chechique
Head of Digital Product, Design & Data at Mindful Chef

About Edward

Edward is a Digital Product Designer with over a decade of experience designing complex, high-impact applications. With a strong foundation in AI, he’s spent the last 5 years working hands-on with artificial intelligence—exploring how designers can harness it to work smarter, not harder. Beyond his design work, he’s a passionate educator and content creator. He shares practical tips for working with AI on his YouTube channel, posts daily insights on LinkedIn, and writes regularly for top design publications like UX Planet and UX Collective. Since 2020, his writing has focused on topics like AI in design, user-centered thinking, and UX research strategies. He’s all about helping other designers grow—and making sure the future of design includes all of us.

Connect with Edward on LinkedIn

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