Are you considering changing into a UX-based career and you’re sure that is what you want to do? Whether you are just graduating from college or have been doing something different and ready for a change, keep reading.

For the past few years, the rise in popularity of UX boot camps has been hard to ignore. Learning educational systems have made it super easy for anyone to learn anything. As a person who loves to learn, this is exciting.

Being involved with the UX for over 17 years now, I have had countless people reaching out to me asking for advice on whether or not to take UX courses, what the UX industry is like, and what is expected of a UX or Product Designer role, types of skills needed, and transitioning into a UX role in general.

One of the most commonly asked questions from people seeking advice is “How effective are UX Bootcamps and should I consider taking one before applying for that first UX job?” Every time I tell them, it depends on your situation.

Below is a list of common reasons that may help you decide if you should or should not pursue a UX boot camp.

When You Should Consider a UX Boot Camp

• You want to move into a UX-based career and are not sure what the next step is.
• You want a solid background in the basic skills of UX and are not sure who to trust.
• You need a curriculum to refer back to when starting off in your UX career.
• You are struggling to pull together an effective UX Case Study portfolio for the upcoming application process.
• Limited time prevents you from hunting down all the information needed to adequately learn about UX.
• You don’t know what you don’t know about UX and want to be prepared for any surprises you may anticipate.
• You have several thousand dollars saved for education (yes, boot camps are expensive).

When You Should Not Consider a UX Boot Camp

• You have decided to move into a UX-based career and are confident about that next step.
• You’re already in a design or tech role and may be familiar with what the UX role may entail so there are no surprises.
• You love to learn and have the initiative to talk to others already in the industry and get their honest feedback about their UX roles and day-to-day activities and expectations.
• You consider today’s curriculum already obsolete and looking for the freshest UX ideas and innovation.
• You’re confident that building a portfolio is just doing a little research ahead of time.
• You have free resources accessible to you to learn about UX.
• Spending thousands of dollars doesn’t seem worth it to you for taking UX courses when you know what you need to learn already.

Conclusion

Taking a UX boot camp is a personal decision and should be made with care based on your situation.

Everyone is unique. We all have different needs when it comes to learning. Boot camps are there for people that do not feel 100% confident about what to learn. They help you be prepared for UX roles by filling in those educational gaps. In return, this boosts confidence. UX boot camps can also guide you on how to create effective portfolios when applying for your first UX job. UX bottom camps are also very expensive and the ROI is up to you and your personal situation.

If you have the time, the money, and the willpower to learn about UX without relying on a boot camp, that’s great! Connect with others that have already been working in the UX industry and that can pour into you and guide you, to boost your confidence to land your first UX job.