Are you feeling stuck in your current career path and yearning for a change? Perhaps, like me, you’ve experienced a major life shift that has altered your perspective on your professional life. After dedicating years to Radiologic Technology and specializing as a CT Technologist since my graduation in 2017, I found my passion waning, especially after the challenges of the COVID era. The drive I once possessed had diminished, and I knew I needed to explore new horizons. This led me on an extensive search for the perfect bootcamp to facilitate a career transition.
The online world is saturated with bootcamps promising incredible outcomes, often accompanied by hefty price tags. Navigating this landscape to find a program that genuinely prioritizes your success over profit can be overwhelming. Avocademy immediately stood out because of its affordability compared to other bootcamps I researched. Intrigued, I delved deeper, watching countless video testimonials and reading numerous reviews. Ultimately, I scheduled an information call to learn more.
That call proved to be a pivotal moment. I genuinely felt that the Avocademy team cared about my aspirations and were invested in my potential success. Venturing into UX/UI design was a significant departure from my established healthcare career, a leap of faith into unfamiliar territory. I needed reassurance that I would be supported throughout this journey, and Avocademy provided that confidence. If you are questioning whether Avocademy is the right bootcamp for you, I wholeheartedly recommend considering their Career Jumpstart program.
Avocademy’s program is thoughtfully structured into two key phases: Foundations and Career Jumpstart (CJ). The Foundations section is meticulously designed to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of UX/UI design principles. Crucially, the program reinforces this knowledge through hands-on project work, allowing you to build a tangible portfolio piece as you learn. The Career Jumpstart phase then elevates your learning by applying your newly acquired skills to real-world projects with actual clients. Working collaboratively with fellow Avocademy designers, you’ll contribute to project deliverables, adding valuable experience and portfolio pieces that showcase your practical abilities. Concurrently, while immersed in these projects, you’ll begin the job application process, armed with a growing portfolio and real-world project experience.
My personal journey through this phase coincided with a significant personal challenge – my fiancé’s job layoff. Balancing job applications, multiple design projects, full-time work commitments, and a cross-country move proved to be an incredibly demanding period. It was undoubtedly challenging, pushing me to my limits, but far from impossible. This experience underscored the program’s intensity and the level of commitment required for a successful career transition.
While my recommendation for Avocademy is strong, it’s crucial to understand that this bootcamp is not a passive experience. Career transitions demand dedication and hard work, and Avocademy’s program is structured to reward those who are willing to invest the necessary effort. If you are seeking a program where minimal effort yields maximum results, or if you are inclined towards a less proactive approach, Avocademy might not be the ideal fit. Your commitment directly impacts not only your own success but also the collaborative projects and the learning environment for your fellow designers.
One of Avocademy’s standout qualities is its commitment to continuous improvement. While no bootcamp is flawless, Avocademy demonstrates a proactive approach to feedback, consistently incorporating student input and introducing updated content to enhance the user experience. Ultimately, the level of support you receive from the mentors and staff at Avocademy is, in my opinion, worth the tuition investment alone.
Upon completing the program, I emerged with a polished resume, a compelling portfolio, valuable new connections within the design community, and, most importantly, a new job as a UX Designer. Avocademy’s career services team excels at crafting resumes specifically tailored to the UX field. They skillfully leveraged my 7 years of healthcare experience, effectively highlighting transferable skills relevant to UX design. The portfolio development process is equally rigorous, incorporating multiple review stages to ensure quality and presentation. The positive feedback I received from recruiters regarding the clarity and organization of my portfolio speaks volumes about the program’s effectiveness in preparing job-ready candidates. Furthermore, the opportunity to network with other designers within Avocademy, who are navigating similar career transitions, fostered meaningful connections that I believe will be invaluable throughout my career.
If you find yourself on the fence, contemplating a career shift into UX/UI design, I strongly encourage you to choose Avocademy’s Career Jumpstart program. Just a few months ago, in October 2022, I was in the same position, diligently reading reviews on platforms like Course Report, searching for the right path. Now, I am on the cusp of starting my new career as a UX Designer in just two weeks! Avocademy provided the launchpad I needed to jumpstart my tech career.
