Breaking Into UX in 2025: My Honest Progress So Far

In 2023, I graduated with an MSc in UX Engineering from Goldsmiths, University of London. I’d already completed the Google UX Design Certificate, spent years building in Figma, and had experience freelancing as an audio producer and sound designer. Still, I found myself facing a reality many new UX professionals encounter: breaking into UX is not linear — it's layered, competitive, and deeply personal.

In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learned so far, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how I’m navigating my journey in a rapidly evolving UX landscape. If you’re trying to break into UX — especially in 2025 — I hope my story offers perspective, clarity, and momentum.

What Does "Breaking Into UX" in 2025 Even Mean?

With AI reshaping the tech space, the UX industry is in a state of transformation. Roles are shifting, companies are leaner, and expectations are higher.

Breaking into UX in 2025 means:

• Competing with AI-augmented portfolios

• Knowing more than just design — collaboration, research, systems thinking

• Navigating a saturated job market where entry-level doesn’t always mean beginner

• Adapting fast and showcasing more than just wireframes

The bar is rising, but so are the opportunities — especially for those who stay curious, resilient, and resourceful.

My Background: UX + Audio = A Different Angle

Before I ever touched a wireframe, I was producing music, designing audio environments, and freelancing with global clients as a Level 2 Fiverr seller. That creative experience taught me to think in layers — how sound affects emotion, how interfaces guide behaviour.

When I transitioned into UX, I realized this background wasn’t just relevant — it was an asset. It helped me approach usability and accessibility with a deeper lens. During my time at Goldsmiths, I explored audio-centric UX use cases, including a research project on IRIS Clarity — an AI-based noise suppression tool used in call centers.

That project taught me how to:

• Conduct user interviews in high-pressure environments

• Translate technical features into user-centric flows

• Present research to both academic and commercial audiences

My Approach to UX Learning: It Never Ends

One mindset that’s helped me is this: UX cannot be mastered, only practiced. Every product has different users, and every user behaves differently.

Instead of seeking perfection, I:

• Work on projects that stretch my comfort zone

• Read case studies and reverse-engineer them

• Observe real-world interfaces obsessively (from Spotify to flight booking apps)

• Collaborate with devs and content folks to learn their language

I believe that no two UX roles are the same — that’s why I’ve stayed open to different titles (Product Designer, UX Researcher, UX Engineer), knowing that each team defines these differently. My focus is on building transferable skills and adapting to each context.

The Hard Part: Getting a Foot in the Door

I’ve interviewed at brands like IBM, JustEat, and Interactive Investor. The designs? Solid. The research? Backed. But one thing kept coming up: work authorization.

As a graduate visa holder in the UK, many companies shy away from sponsoring junior candidates. Some explicitly mention they want someone long-term, and without offering visas, the conversation ends there.

This has nothing to do with skills. It’s a structural challenge many international grads face. I mention this not to discourage, but to say: if you’re struggling, it’s not just you.

In the meantime, I’ve kept building — freelancing, collaborating, sharpening my systems thinking, and staying close to the industry pulse.

What’s Working for Me So Far

If you’re breaking into UX in 2025, here are some strategies that are helping me gain traction:

1. Treat your portfolio like a product Your portfolio isn’t just a showcase — it’s a UX challenge in itself. I keep refining mine to:

• Tell one clear story per case study

• Show thought process, not just pretty screens

• Be mobile-friendly and fast to navigate

2. Share your voice Platforms like LinkedIn and personal blogs help you:

• Demonstrate your thinking

• Get discovered by recruiters

• Connect with others in similar positions

3. Stay updated on tools & trends New prototyping tools, AI in UX, accessible design trends — knowing what’s current helps in interviews and actual practice.

4. Build outside of job titles I’ve worked on passion projects, collaborated on tools for musicians, and even redesigned existing apps for fun. It keeps skills sharp and builds your body of work.

5. Focus on systems, not screens A lot of UX is about designing how parts work together. I’ve invested time in design systems, research synthesis, and communicating cross-functionally — this is what hiring managers value in 2025.

What I’d Tell Myself a Year Ago

• Don’t obsess over the "UX job title" — focus on practicing UX thinking

• Keep shipping, even if it’s imperfect

• Talk to other designers — everyone’s path is messy

• Build credibility in public (blogs, videos, talks, etc.)

• Don’t wait for permission — start designing, documenting, and sharing now

Key Takeaways

How to break into UX in 2025?

• Learn by doing (side projects, collaborations)

• Build a portfolio that tells real stories

• Focus on soft skills: communication, adaptability, research

• Stay active in communities (LinkedIn, UX forums)

• Apply widely — and be ready to pivot

These are not hacks. They are habits.

Final Thoughts

UX in 2025 is evolving fast. But so are you. If you're early in your journey, know this: everyone starts somewhere, and progress is still progress — even if it’s not a straight line.

Feel free to reach out if you’re navigating similar waters. I’m learning, building, and sharing — and I’d love to connect.

📩 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagansalwan/

Thanks for reading.

– Gagan