Raul Menegotto

Raul Menegetto had an academic background in communications and media, but despite having a bachelor’s degree, he struggled to find a rewarding job. Yearning for a career change, he decided to apply to General Assembly, particularly to its User Experience Design program. He applied for a loan to cover his tuition fees and used his savings throughout his training for his daily expenses. And when he secured a job with Ogilvy as a mid-level UX Designer, his career took off.

Tell us about your background. What were you doing before attending the program?

Before joining the immersive UX design program, I worked in market research for nearly seven years. I started as an interviewer and progressed to the role of project delivery manager. Before that, I worked in event planning and management. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with an emphasis in marketing and advertising. 

What motivated you to explore a new career or upskill in your existing field, and why did you decide to pick this program?

First, I yearned for years for that precious feeling of knowing where I’m going and being in control of my choices. Until then, I had let my path unfold before me without much steering from my end. That was fun as a 20-something straight out of university, but I grew increasingly aware that it was not aging well. Over time, it became something I began feeling slightly embarrassed about.

When I finally decided to put myself behind the wheel, research led me to user experience design. I had no idea what it was, but it sounded quite exciting and promising according to the few specialized blogs I came across. I could improve people’s relationships with things and, at the same time, pivot my legacy skills. I was sold!

Over the first year after my first contact with UX Design, I took a few courses on the subject, but despite all my excitement, life—i.e., money and time—came in the way. The trail went cold. Then, COVID-19 happened and I moved to the countryside. The pandemic gave me time to look into my life and, most importantly, save money. I ran out of excuses. It was time to do it!

How did you finance your education, and what were some of your biggest considerations when making this choice?

I had my savings and support from my partner. Also, I managed to secure a loan that covered the tuition fees. A tip to those considering a career change: there’s never a good time to do it, you can always find excuses. I learned that through years of putting off big decisions.

What did you like about the program? Are there any highlights that stood out to you?

The cadence, the environment of the well-managed online classes, and the knowledge and humbleness of the instructors. Also, the school has very good connections in the industry, which meant I had a lot of exposure to high-calibre guest speakers working for a wide range of companies.

How did you fit the program into your schedule?

I enrolled in the full-time program, so my life had to fit the program, not the other way around. It was quite challenging because this was the 2020/21 winter lockdown, which meant basic things like grocery shopping had to be carefully planned, especially when I didn’t have a lot of time off from Zoom calls.

Can you give us any examples of projects that you worked on during the program?

I had the chance to work on all kinds of projects, ranging from simple prototypes, rebranding, and reskinning a charity’s website to more complex tasks, which required collaboration with colleagues to solve the brief in hand.

Do you have any advice for someone considering this program?

Focus on learning the design process, not so much on the tools, such as Figma and Axure. New tools are always being released, so learn the underpinning gist of each of them but don’t obsess over the details.

Did you find a job after the program?

Yes, I found a great job!

How did the program support you in finding a job?

It taught me how to follow the design process and that my legacy skills are invaluable in this career. Also, the fortnightly stand-ups━career and job search mentoring with the outcomes team were a great source of inspiration and support.

Was the job search process different from what you expected?

Well, it had been ages since the last time I looked for a job while being unemployed. Things have changed significantly since then it’s not a straightforward process at all. I guess the most challenging part was to motivate myself to network. Moreover, the sheer number of job boards, networking channels, platforms, and blogs can be overwhelming. In the end, I found a job through my network.

How many companies did you interview with? How did you choose which one to work with?

I interviewed with three companies, but I got to the final stages with two of them, including the company that offered me a job.

How are the skills you gained from the course useful in your current career?

First and foremost, it gave me a framework to follow, a structure to abide by. It reshaped my mindset, and equipped me with a roadmap. Perhaps the most useful skills I learned from the course were how to empathize, remove myself from the equation, and realize that I know next to nothing about most things.

What do you think is different about your life now versus before the program?

I’ve taken a quantum leap. My professional life before the program was quite aimless. I had taken a few wrong turns and thought a course correction would not be possible. The course helped me see that the “wrong turns” I had taken were just part of my path. 

What do you find fulfilling about your current line of work?

The most fulfilling thing about my current job is that I am part of [re]designing experiences, or better yet, smoother paths. That’s something I always expect as a user. I know that may sound a bit cheesy. However, that entails a lot, mainly being open to new mindsets.

Do you have any job search advice for someone considering a career in your field?

Don’t disregard what you have done before, use your legacy skills, and do not forget to tap into your network. Be true to yourself, and don’t be afraid to show your true colors. People appreciate that.