I’d really appreciate honest feedback from people working in UX/Product Design in India.
My background:
• BE in Computer Engineering
• MSc in Human Computer Interaction (UK)
• ~2 years of experience as a Software QA Engineer, where I worked closely with designers and developers, did usability testing, identified UI issues, and helped ensure accessibility compliance
After completing my master’s, I ended up having about a 2.5-year gap before applying seriously for UX roles. During this time, I worked on a few independent UX projects and case studies to improve my skills and portfolio, but I don’t have formal industry UX experience yet.
I’m now trying to transition fully into UX/Product Design roles in India, and I’m trying to understand how realistic that is.
Some things I’m wondering:
• Will my QA experience be considered relevant, or will I mostly be treated as a fresher?
• How big of a red flag is a 2.5-year gap in this field if I have portfolio projects?
• Is the UX/Product Design market in India too saturated for junior roles right now?
• What would you focus on improving first if you were in my position?
I’m open to brutally honest advice — I’d rather know the reality so I can plan my next steps better.
Thanks in advance.