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Original poster

38, Just finished MA in Web Design - no prospects, feeling rock bottom. Any tips?

34 replies

Zazango · 03/10/2023 22:08

Hi, all. I've just handed in my last piece of coursework for a MA in web design, and while I was elated to finish, I'm now facing unemployment and no prospects.

I'm not a spring chicken, either. I started the masters relatively later in life because I was feeling very unfulfilled as a library manager, and wanted to change to a more mentally fulfilling career. Before that I was a nursery teacher, which paid terribly. Managing public libraries was a bit dead-end to me, because once you became a manager there wasn't really any further you could go.

The course was great, and I loved working on my designs and my code. I also helped others with their code, and I felt really alive and pleased. But without getting too techy here, the course did not teach web developer levels of coding (only basic JavaScript). That means that I'm now underqualified for full on developer roles, while design roles are EXTREMELY hard to come by. I've only had either flat out rejections to roles I've applied to or silence. During the course I spoke to alumni who said they only got into their web roles through coding bootcamps. What was the point of the degree, then? It feels so futile. Bootcamps are also extremely competitive to get on. I've applied to one, but I'm not sure what my chances are.

Even if I found a job that would only use 1% of what I've learned, I'd feel happy. As it stands now, I don't have any money coming in, so I may have to ask for a part time position at the libraries I used to manage.

I'd love to get into marketing or comms, for example, but my degree isn't relevant. I just want a job that has room for growth. Travel for work would be a dream. I feel so demoralised and low, like I'm meant to stay in low-paying/unfulfilling roles for the rest of my life. I feel like I've wasted my savings on this degree for nothing.

If anyone has any tips or thoughts, I'd love to hear them. Thank you for reading!

OP posts:
cherryassam · 03/10/2023 22:12

Does your university have a careers service? I’d be asking them for some support - they might have some ideas of other destinations for alumni of your course too.

I’m not sure what you’ve done exactly on your course - but is there a way of bringing together your librarian experience and your web design education now. Something to do with informatics or education technology / course design?

amidsummernightsdream · 03/10/2023 22:14

How about setting up on your own offering design services freelance

marketing101 · 03/10/2023 22:17

Can you build websites?

Could you freelance whilst working library job to build up your portfolio, offer to local businesses? Everyone needs a website now

DesignCareerChanger · 03/10/2023 22:20

Hi there, take a look at https://ladiesthatux.com/ - really supportive community and lots of tips there. You could also think about user research and interaction design roles rather than ones called web design. Good luck!

Ladies that UX

https://ladiesthatux.com/

Focalpoint · 03/10/2023 23:14

Are you applying for jobs in the field you want to work in?

Focalpoint · 03/10/2023 23:15

Sorry - I meant jobs in the wider fields like marketing and comms?

Cyanchicken · 04/10/2023 08:51

UX/UI is the highly employable end of this space now particularly as most organisations are looking at digital transformation to some extent. What is your experience prior to the MA?

Cyanchicken · 04/10/2023 08:55

Apologies - I reread and see your experience is in librarianship. There is a lot of work in consultancy for digital knowledge management - is this something that you could look into and leverage your librarian / knowledge skill set along with the web piece?

Also look at IT apprenticeships as a way in - and join as many women in tech networks as you possibly can on LinkedIn

It's a little bit quiet in tech at the moment due to the layoffs but hopefully the hiring freezes will be lifted in the new year.

Cyanchicken · 04/10/2023 08:57

Also the graduate milk round is kicking off now - would you consider a graduate role in IT? Look at the big 6 but also civil service, utilities companies etc

ProvisionsOnTheDock · 04/10/2023 09:01

Look into design, data and technology (DDaT) roles in the civil service, specifically in interaction design or content design.

Startingagainandagain · 04/10/2023 09:24

Have you looked at the Civil Service and content designer roles?

From what I understand there are roles that don't involve coding and instead look after designing the written content and accessibility for their websites and general project management.

You could also look at roles with charities that are usually advertised as communications or marketing roles but involve managing the charity's website and social media accounts. I have had that type of roles for a while and I only have basic coding skills. I have ad hoc support with freelance web developers or web agencies when some really technical needs to be done with the site.

TheThinWhiteDutchess · 04/10/2023 09:30

Have a look at the Reed Women in Technology mentoring programme. Through there you can find a mentor and advice. They have regular 'community coffee' meetings that are good for a chat and advice from all sorts of people. It is run by a man and he is a really nice guy and may even be able to advise on finding a job in tech.

TheThinWhiteDutchess · 04/10/2023 09:32

Also, please don't give up. Women are so underrepresented in the tech sector, you just need to get your foot in the door somewhere. I really hope it works out for you.

Chocolatehobnobs2948 · 04/10/2023 13:41

Look into UX design, interaction design or content design. You might need to brush up on some extra skills but you can do free short courses on the likes of Udemy/Code Academy. Content design in particular has lots of people who transition into it from other fields. Marketing and comms are an option too, but they can be quite stressful and not as well paid as tech, unless you're in a big name company in London.

MariaVT65 · 04/10/2023 13:56

Yes i was also going to suggest UX/UI

Original poster
Zazango · 04/10/2023 20:08

cherryassam · 03/10/2023 22:12

Does your university have a careers service? I’d be asking them for some support - they might have some ideas of other destinations for alumni of your course too.

I’m not sure what you’ve done exactly on your course - but is there a way of bringing together your librarian experience and your web design education now. Something to do with informatics or education technology / course design?

Hi cherry, thanks for your reply. The careers services at our uni is a little weak. My coursemates tried them and didn't hear back. It did seem somewhat a waste of energy.
About combining libraries and tech - today I applied for a tech project management apprenticeship with a council, so that might be a good route. The recruitment process is somewhat gruelling though - I can imagine being around 21 year olds and just freaking out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Zazango · 04/10/2023 20:10

marketing101 · 03/10/2023 22:17

Can you build websites?

Could you freelance whilst working library job to build up your portfolio, offer to local businesses? Everyone needs a website now

I can build websites. Would love to be in a job to get more training. I'm about to start making one for a friend's business. However, I just need money to live on, and I don't know if my skillset is right for asking for large amounts of money.

OP posts:
Original poster
Zazango · 04/10/2023 20:11

DesignCareerChanger · 03/10/2023 22:20

Hi there, take a look at https://ladiesthatux.com/ - really supportive community and lots of tips there. You could also think about user research and interaction design roles rather than ones called web design. Good luck!

User research and interaction design is SATURATED with applicants. I'm still applying though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Zazango · 04/10/2023 20:12

TheThinWhiteDutchess · 04/10/2023 09:32

Also, please don't give up. Women are so underrepresented in the tech sector, you just need to get your foot in the door somewhere. I really hope it works out for you.

Thank you :)

OP posts:
Original poster
Zazango · 04/10/2023 20:13

ProvisionsOnTheDock · 04/10/2023 09:01

Look into design, data and technology (DDaT) roles in the civil service, specifically in interaction design or content design.

Thank you. I was just rejected for a Civil Service Interaction Design Junior/Intern role :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Zazango · 04/10/2023 20:13

TheThinWhiteDutchess · 04/10/2023 09:30

Have a look at the Reed Women in Technology mentoring programme. Through there you can find a mentor and advice. They have regular 'community coffee' meetings that are good for a chat and advice from all sorts of people. It is run by a man and he is a really nice guy and may even be able to advise on finding a job in tech.

Thank you, I will :)

OP posts:
Colourfulponderings · 04/10/2023 20:15

Have you got a good portfolio put together - even if it’s examples from uni rather than paid work?

I recruit marketing teams including designers and it would mostly be on the quality of your design work, rather than work history, that I’d make a decision.

Dotcheck · 04/10/2023 20:17

If you want to get into marketing, you may want to get the L3 CIM qualification

Original poster
Zazango · 04/10/2023 20:17

Startingagainandagain · 04/10/2023 09:24

Have you looked at the Civil Service and content designer roles?

From what I understand there are roles that don't involve coding and instead look after designing the written content and accessibility for their websites and general project management.

You could also look at roles with charities that are usually advertised as communications or marketing roles but involve managing the charity's website and social media accounts. I have had that type of roles for a while and I only have basic coding skills. I have ad hoc support with freelance web developers or web agencies when some really technical needs to be done with the site.

Hiya, yes I was just rejected for a junior design role with the Civil Service. :(

I've applied to a few marketing/comms roles and social media types. I'll certainly keep applying. I've also just applied to a Web Content Writing role, which would have been great as I'm a creative writing tutor as well. They looked at my LinkedIn profile today, but then silence...

OP posts:
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