 As I look back on my journey, I can't help but reflect on the steps that led me to becoming a UX designer. It wasn't easy, but with the right mindset and dedication, anyone can achieve the goals in this field. The first step is to immerse yourself in the world of design. Watch videos, read articles, and take online courses. Every morning, like clockwork, at 5am, I would wake up and study. I learned about the user-centered design process, research, and how to design interfaces. It was by passion. I mastered the design tools at night by watching every video I could, probably like you. But before we go any further, there are some truths you need to know about UX design. Regardless of what pretty much every video says, becoming a UX designer is not easy. But it is possible and rewarding. You're not going to make $1000 a day in the next year. But it is possible within 5 years, with hard work and dedication. UX design isn't just design and user interfaces though, it's much more than that. It's the psychology behind the experience, and you've got to have a bearing desire to make that experience as simple as possible. Dieter Rams of the Braun company once said, good design is as little as possible. Less but better, because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity. You need to know that it's a constantly evolving field. When I got my first job, the team UX designer wasn't even around. And that was just 15 years ago. Technology is constantly changing, and so are the tools we use. Just a few years ago, I was using Photoshop to design some of the world's biggest websites and apps. This has evolved now to Figma, but the truth is it's going to change again, and it really doesn't matter. Once you know the principles of how to design, you could use Microsoft Painter Designer website. I've just given developers sketches for some of the world's biggest website and it works. My key message is to stay relevant and successful in the field, you need to be adaptable and always learning. Every morning was my time, and I've never been a night owl, but you structure it however it works best for you. But the point is you actually do it, set aside some time every day, even if it's just half an hour. And trust me, there are many paths to success. I studied design for six years, so I'm not going to tell you I did it in three months. But I've met loads of designers over the years who are self taught and come from other fields and became UX designers later on in their career. So it is possible. But what matters most is your dedication, hard work and passion for the field. Next, I created my own projects. Whether it's designing a website or an app, having a portfolio to showcase your work is essential in this field. And remember, it's not just about creating something that looks good, it's about creating something that's user friendly and actually solves a problem. I created my portfolio because of university and that's what any good UX course will teach you. I know this is a huge challenge for most people and that's why I created my course on AnthonyCombo.com. I teach you the design, your own portfolio that you can use to get a job and include all the important things you need to stand out. I know this because I've interviewed many designers over the years. You can do this on your own but this will save you loads of time and I'll be a mentor along the way. I was lucky to have a few mentors in my early career, from teachers to some of the world's best art directors. They helped guide me in the right direction and without them, I would have given up and I wouldn't be writing this 15 years later. Once you've got a good portfolio with three to five case studies in it, networking is the next important step to becoming a UX designer. Here's the truth. I wouldn't be in the position I am today without networking. I got my first job because I already knew the hiring manager. This wasn't luck though. Once I graduated university, I applied for an internship at British Folk and because of my portfolio, I was very lucky to be given two weeks in London to prove my skills. I'm from Liverpool which is two hours away by train but because I was a student, I had to get the megabus for one pound return. This wasn't as glamorous as it sounds but luckily I'm a laptop to keep me entertained on the five hour drive. My friend was kind enough and while he was on holiday, he let me stay in his flat for two weeks. While I was in work, I networked as much as I possibly could. I went down to the other floors in the building and introduced myself. I went to a local pub every night after work to make friends with all the designers in the company. I dove head first and my mission, to be honest, was just to gain experience. Because I had quite a good portfolio, I managed to get two more internships in the building, a GQ magazine and Ferrari. And my manager at GQ would later become the art director at Wired and he's the one who gave me my first job. This was because of the relationship we already had. But trust me, you don't need to be in the building to have relationships with people. It's actually easier than ever now. You can attend conferences, join design communities online. And the most important thing you can do is connect with other professionals on LinkedIn. It wasn't around when I got my first job, but every other job I've had since then has been through LinkedIn. Even if you've got no experience, start a profile right now and add me as a connection to get you going. Then start adding people in the industry you want to connect with and send them personal invites. Yeah, to be honest, everyone's not going to reply. But some will. And that's the point. It's a numbers game. You need to grow your network. I've been growing my network on LinkedIn for the past 10 years. Building relationships with others in the industry can lead to job opportunities and even friendships and mentors. You need to put yourself out there. Let's be honest, no one's going to do this for you. I know it's scary, but it's something you must do to look after yourself. And you've got to take risks and go above and beyond what's expected. Show your dedication and passion for the field by going the extra mile in your work. This will set you apart from others and show your potential employees that you're serious about becoming your ex designer. I've done this my entire career. And honestly, it's paid off massively. Don't fall into the trap of thinking this easy. I promise you I've been a professional designer for 15 years. And anyone who thinks it's easy stays at the bottom. Yes, you can make a few hundred dollars a day after a year or so. But that's just the start. I worked for three summers with no pay. And my first roll was 30k. But eventually, I was earning over 500 pound today. But that's because I became one of the best designers in the country. And by going above and beyond, to get a role like this has an immense amount of competition. And be honest, you're not going to get it after three months. But the key thing is you can do it. And it's not some get rich quick scheme. It's about providing value. And that's your skills and expertise, which takes time. So relax and take the right path. Companies value this highly because it makes them loads of money. Short cuts get you nowhere. And on the inside, I think you know it too. I've been tempted myself by these get rich quick schemes and I've never got anywhere. So to anyone who's interested in actually becoming a UX designer, start with the next video. This will teach you the foundational skills you need to start your journey. Good luck.