Software engineer to UX design?
I'm a new grad at Amazon, been here less than a year. I've found that I really just do not enjoy coding. Interviews were doable bc it was mainly pattern-seeking but not enjoyable, but I figured it's not enjoyable for anyone, and I thought I'd be able to find interesting work and such. Not really shading my team: the truth is I just don't enjoy the actual coding process especially when it's pretty much all I do. On the other hand, when I've made apps on the side for fun, I've really enjoyed the design process. I've been working in Figma and such, doing app redesigns, and learning about UX from free resources online, and refining what I've made. I think I've also got a good grasp of aesthetics. My question is, for those who have made the transition from software engineer to UX designer, how did you do it? Is it feasible for me, and what should I expect? For those of you at Amazon, do you think it's possible for me to transfer internally to a UX role? And if so, how? TC bc y'all ask for it: $130k #engineering #softwareadvice #design #ui/ux #uxdesigner #amazon
why not switch to a front end role?
I've thought about it, and wouldn't be entirely opposed to that, but I like the actual design process and workflow itself over the nitpicky technical implementation part. I like the doing the research, I like the visual aspect, I like trying to make something feel nice in its flow. I just don't feel like I get to enjoy the creative parts when I'm trying to fix bugs and the like.
Never worked at Amazon, but FE teams have a lot more say in the design process than just nitpicking the implementation (especially if your team maintains a design system)
Do you not like money? UX is moving buttons in Figma or whatever. Any pleb can do it.
And coding is just copypasting stuff in an IDE or whatever. Anyone can do it. Is the compensation differential that wide?
It’s not much of a difference, L5 still cracks 200k
Hi.. i am also interested in switching from sde. Did you find anything or nay info for switching to ui/ux?
I think it’s possible to transfer, you just have to find a hiring manager willing to take a risk on you. The best case would be that your immediate manager opens up a UX position and you express interest in it. Aside from this, reach out to HMs with open UX roles on job finder and ask to have an informal chat. Note that there are different types of UX roles (designer, researcher, design technologist) and some of them may have some level of SDE knowledge as a prerequisite. During the chat, show interest in the role and ask questions about what they are looking for and what it might take for you as an SDE to transition. There’s no set route for how to navigate this, you’ll have to knock on a good number of doors and leverage the inbuilt network Amazon provides. It might help to reach out to some UXers on the internal mentorship portal and having the same kind of conversations with them.
Thanks for the response. It's unlikely that my team will be opening up a UX role soon, so I'll definitely start asking around. Would I have worse luck trying to start anew outside of Amazon?
The key to getting a UX role as an external hire at any company will be a good portfolio. Internally, you might find a HM that will take a chance on you, and like I said, it obviously also helps to build a rapport with them. At Amazon, you’ve at least passed some bar to get here, now you just have to convince a HM you have the drive and ability to pick up the skills required for a role you have little to no background in. If you don’t have a portfolio yet, start working on one. It wouldn’t hurt to shop around internally before deciding to try externally.