Are you interested in pursuing a career in User Experience (UX)? An internship can be a great way to get hands-on experience in the field and gain valuable skills that can help you kickstart your career. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to get a User Experience (UX) internship.
What Is A User Experience (UX) Internship
A User Experience (UX) Internship is an opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain practical experience in the field of UX design. UX design is the process of designing digital products, such as websites or mobile applications, with a focus on the user’s needs and goals.
During a UX internship, you will work alongside experienced designers and researchers on real-world projects. You may be involved in conducting user research, creating wireframes or prototypes, designing user interfaces, or testing designs with users.
As an intern, you will learn the fundamentals of user research, design thinking, and user interface (UI) design. You will gain valuable skills in creating personas, conducting user interviews, creating design mockups, and testing designs with users.
UX internships are typically offered by design agencies, tech companies, startups, non-profits, or government agencies. They can range in duration from a few weeks to several months, depending on the company and the position.
The goal of a UX internship is to provide students or recent graduates with practical experience in the field of UX design and to help them develop their skills and knowledge. UX internships can also serve as a stepping stone to a full-time career in UX design, as many companies use internships as a way to identify and hire talented designers.
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How To Get A UX Internship
Getting a User Experience (UX) internship can be a challenging process, but with the right approach, it is possible to land a great opportunity. Getting a UX internship requires a combination of building your skills, creating a strong portfolio, networking, and applying to internships.
You should also consider freelancing or volunteer work and leveraging your university’s resources to further increase your chances of landing a UX internship.
Build your skills
To stand out as a candidate for a UX internship, you need to have a strong foundation in design and research principles. Start by taking online courses, attending workshops or webinars, and reading books or articles on UX design. Some popular online courses and resources for UX design include Udemy, Coursera, and Nielsen Norman Group.
Create a portfolio
Your portfolio should showcase your design skills and demonstrate your thought process. Include case studies of projects you’ve worked on, design samples, and user research reports. Your portfolio should show your ability to identify user needs and design solutions that meet those needs.
Network
Attend UX design events, conferences, and meetups to connect with other professionals in the field. Networking can help you learn about job openings and get referrals. Reach out to designers and researchers on LinkedIn or other social media platforms to introduce yourself and ask for advice.
Apply to internships
Check job boards, company websites, and social media channels for UX internship openings. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your skills and experience, and customize your application for each position. Make sure to research the company and its products beforehand, so you can tailor your application to their specific needs.
Consider freelance or volunteer work
If you are having difficulty finding a UX internship, consider freelance or volunteer work. This can help you build your portfolio, gain practical experience, and make connections in the industry.
Leverage your university’s resources
Many universities have career centers that can help you find internships and connect with employers. Reach out to your university’s career center to see what resources are available.
What To Expect From A User Experience Internship
When starting a User Experience (UX) internship, it’s important to have a good understanding of what to expect in terms of work, projects, and responsibilities. Essentially, you can expect to gain valuable experience and develop your skills in UX design during a UX internship.
You will work collaboratively on real-world projects, use a range of tools and methodologies, and receive regular feedback on your work. The goal of a UX internship is to provide you with a foundation for a successful career in UX design.
- Learning and development: The primary goal of a UX internship is to learn and develop your skills in UX design. Expect to work on a range of projects that will allow you to gain hands-on experience in user research, design thinking, and UI design. You will also have the opportunity to learn from experienced UX designers, who can provide mentorship and feedback on your work.
- Collaborative work: UX design is a team effort, and you can expect to work collaboratively with other designers, researchers, developers, and stakeholders. This may involve brainstorming sessions, design critiques, or working in pairs or groups to complete projects.
- Real-world projects: UX internships typically involve working on real-world projects for clients or stakeholders. This means that your work will have a real-world impact and will be used by actual users.
- Exposure to different tools and methodologies: You can expect to work with a range of design and research tools and methodologies, depending on the company and position. Some common tools and methodologies include Sketch, Figma, InVision, usability testing, and user interviews.
- Professional development: In addition to learning design and research skills, you can expect to develop your professional skills, such as communication, collaboration, and time management. You may also have the opportunity to attend training sessions or workshops to further your learning.
- Evaluation and feedback: You can expect to receive regular feedback on your work, both from your peers and your supervisor. This feedback is intended to help you improve your skills and develop as a designer.
Where You Can Get A User Experience Internship
There are many sectors and companies that offer UX internships, ranging from technology and design agencies to e-commerce, healthcare, gaming, and non-profit organizations. When looking for a UX internship, it’s important to research the company and sector to ensure that the opportunity aligns with your career goals and interests.
Technology companies
Technology companies, such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple, are known for their UX design and often offer UX internships. For example, Google offers a UX Design Internship that involves working on a variety of projects, from mobile apps to web platforms.
Design agencies
Design agencies specialize in UX design and may offer internships that allow you to work on multiple client projects. Examples of design agencies that offer UX internships include IDEO and Frog Design.
E-commerce companies
E-commerce companies, such as Amazon and Etsy, rely heavily on UX design to create engaging user experiences for their customers. Amazon, for example, offers a UX Design Internship where interns work on projects related to product design, prototyping, and testing.
Financial services companies
Financial services companies, such as JPMorgan Chase and Capital One, are increasingly investing in UX design to create more user-friendly banking experiences. JPMorgan Chase offers a UX Design Internship that involves working on digital products and services for their clients.
Healthcare companies
Healthcare companies, such as Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer, are also investing in UX design to create more user-friendly healthcare products and services. Pfizer, for example, offers a UX Design Internship that focuses on designing user interfaces for healthcare products.
Gaming companies
Gaming companies, such as Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, are known for their engaging user experiences and often offer UX internships. Electronic Arts, for example, offers a UX Design Internship that involves working on games for mobile and console platforms.
Non-profit organizations
Non-profit organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Wildlife Fund, also rely on UX design to create engaging user experiences for their websites and digital products. The United Nations offers a UX Design Internship that involves working on projects related to sustainable development and social impact.
How To Get A Return Offer From Your UX Internship
Getting an offer to return for another internship or a full-time position from the company you’re interning with can be a great way to kick-start your career in UX design. Here are 6 tips that will increase your chances of receiving a return offer:
- Be proactive and take ownership of your work: During your internship, take ownership of your work and be proactive in seeking feedback and guidance from your supervisor and team. This shows that you are committed to your work and are eager to learn and improve your skills.
- Build strong relationships with your team members: Building strong relationships with your team members can help you learn more about the company culture and expectations. It can also help you demonstrate that you are a good fit for the company and are capable of working collaboratively with others.
- Meet or exceed expectations: Throughout your internship, be sure to meet or exceed the expectations set by your supervisor and team. This means delivering high-quality work on time and being responsive to feedback.
- Demonstrate your value to the company: Be sure to highlight your contributions to the company during your internship, such as the impact of your work on the user experience or the successful completion of projects. This demonstrates your value to the company and your ability to contribute to the organization.
- Express your interest in returning: If you are interested in returning to the company, be sure to express your interest to your supervisor and team. This shows that you are committed to the company and interested in continuing to contribute to its success.
- Stay in touch after the internship: After your internship ends, stay in touch with your supervisor and team members. This can help you stay connected to the company and potentially lead to future job opportunities.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, a UX internship can be a great way to gain hands-on experience in the field and kickstart your career in UX design. By building your skills, creating a portfolio, networking, and applying to internships, you can increase your chances of landing a great opportunity.
During your internship, you’ll have the opportunity to work on real projects, collaborate with experienced designers and researchers, and gain valuable skills in user research, design thinking, and UI design.
With the tips and advice offered in this article, you should be well on your way to landing your first UX design internship. Good luck!