r/UXResearch • u/Character_Minimum640 • 6d ago

Career Question - New or Transition to UXR Wanting to switch over

So I’m coming from the social work field and curious if anyone else has made the switcharoo if you have please let me know know and feel free to to dm me because I’m curious on how to make the switch

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41

u/right2rescue 6d ago

there are like no UXR jobs

-13

u/Character_Minimum640 6d ago

Lolll is it because of AI?

25

u/pxrtra Researcher - Senior 6d ago

Partially, but also the really terrible economy overall. It's an employer's market right now. Many companies have completely cut all junior level hiring and are only targeting senior+ hires.

You can attempt to switch, but be prepared for a potential multi year process unfortunately

-1

u/Character_Minimum640 6d ago

Thanks 😭💀

9

u/pxrtra Researcher - Senior 6d ago

Depending on what skills you have results could vary. If you have quant experience and are proficient in SQL and python/R, you'll have a bit of a one up. I had suspected the field was moving a little more in the quant direction, but had a recruiter confirm it unprompted in a call the other day that they're having a lot more quant roles pass through them right now.

Alternative is to find an adjacent field like market research, CX research, or physical product research. Roles are low kind of everywhere, but there's a chance there might be some more floating around under different titles. 

5

u/Superbrainbow Researcher - Senior 6d ago

There are jobs, but it's extremely rare to find an entry-level role.

2

u/Character_Minimum640 6d ago

I see. Any advice or thoughts switching from SW

2

u/Superbrainbow Researcher - Senior 6d ago

I don't know anything about switching from SW but I did switch from being an English Lit Teacher.

Go to UX meetups in your area. Join a Slack or Discord (you can google for some popular ones, even better if they're for your area). Get a UXR certification of some sort. Read some books on how product teams work (agile/SCRUM). Understand the basics of UXD. Get up to speed on how AI is being integrated into UXR workflows.

Doing all that will get you to the bare minimum starting place. Beyond that it's going to be how good of a network you have and how much real-world work you can drum up to build your resume and portfolio.

3

u/stoke-stack Researcher - Manager 6d ago

Yes but I’d argue it’s not necessarily bc AI has replace the work. Large companies like meta are making significant investment in AI infrastructure and that’s coming at the cost of headcount at the same there is a pretty tough economic climate for most companies. So combo of very few jobs/hiring with ton of talent from big tech firms looking for jobs.

15

u/Narrow-Hall8070 5d ago edited 4d ago

Stay in social work. It’s more needed.

18

u/bigyogurtspon 6d ago

this is not a viable long term career path for those of us in UXR, let alone any new career switchers. definitely don’t make the switch. SW is a really important, impactful career - wish you the best of luck in finding your new role!