Alexandre Borges, student of our Bootcamp Master Interface, worked as a facilitator at Avon, but he was always an admirer of illustrations, graphic design and liked to draw. In 2016, she decided to start graphic design college. In the same year, he met Aela and enrolled with his brother, André Borges, in the MID Bootcamp to study UX Design.

Alexandre had only half an hour a day to study. He reconciled that time with college, Bootcamp, and work.

But even with all the difficulties, he managed to migrate to UX and got his first opportunity in a large company!

Alexandre, tell me a bit about your background

I didn't come from a design background.

My last job, before MJV, was as an Avon facilitator in 2017. However, I was studying graphic design on my own and I was always very passionate about creation and, especially, illustration.

So I started researching and getting to know the area more and more, until I discovered the MID Bootcamp. At the same time, I decided to go to graphic design college.

Thus, it was a great challenge to reconcile work with college and the Bootcamp. I honestly thought it was just “another online course” and that it would be “easy” to complete. But then I was wrong: The Bootcamp requires a lot of dedication and study.

Aela highly values the quality of teaching, making you truly learn. For this, you have the fundamental support of Mentoring, who is always there to give you feedback. The same job can go back and forth over and over again, until you really learn.

And it was with Aela that I learned more about UX Design - a term that I heard a lot and saw in college subjects. But I believe that it is only by “getting our hands dirty”, as we do at MID, that we can truly understand what UX Design is.

Reading Tip: Do I Need a Design Background to Migrate to UX?

How was it to reconcile college, the MID and work?

I didn't create huge goals for myself. I created small study objectives. Initially, with little time, I was just trying to understand more about the UX area.

As soon as I started the MID, I got a vacation from my job and was able to focus better on my studies and do my work.

However, when I returned from vacation, I only had half an hour a day to dedicate to the MID. But did I know that It was better to study little than nothing. That's how I continued.

I stayed in this work and study routine until I reached level 2 of the Bootcamp. I was already really tired, and I realized that to become a UX Designer, I would need to dedicate myself more.

In addition, my job, as a facilitator at Avon, was totally different from what I was studying at the time. In other words, there would be no possibility for me to apply what I was studying and enjoying, where I was.

For this reason, I made the decision to quit my job and focus solely on studies. That way, I would have the morning and afternoon periods to dedicate myself to the MID projects.

What was your new routine like, focusing only on your studies?

I now had more time and a study routine that ran from 07 in the morning until 17:00. But during the weekend I didn't study.

At this rate, I was left with approximately 8 months, from when I left my job until I got a position as UX Designer at MJV.

So, with more time available to dedicate to myself, I followed to the letter the tips given by the mentors not to skip the steps and carry out a job with rigor and consistency.

I knew that the moment I was going to explain my portfolio for a recruiter, you would need to speak properly about everything you had developed so far, explain in every detail the reason for each font, each color, each question, for example.

Reading Tip: UX Design Portfolio - 7 Mistakes You Don't Make

When did you start applying for UX Design jobs?

When I was already at level 3 of the MID.

I started to engage on LinkedIn, to prepare my portfolio — who had only the 3 jobs I had done at the MID — and updating my resume. That's when I started applying for some vacancies.

The fact that there were only 3 projects in my portfolio was not seen as a bad thing by the recruiters, since I knew how to explain very well what I had developed there.

How were your interviews?

In all, before joining MJV, I I did about 20 interviews.

The first time I applied for a vacancy, I received an almost immediate return. Practically on the same day.

However, I still wasn't so sure. I received a call from a recruiter and spoke with him for a few minutes. I think he noticed that I wasn't so ready yet because I was very nervous. He didn't call me the other day.

Despite that, I wasn't sad. I saw it as learning, because I knew that I would have other opportunities.

What was your process for joining MJV?

My interview at MJV seemed more like a conversation than a selection process, as such. Well, At that point, after several “no's” and participating in more than 20 interviews, I felt more secure.

I found this vacancy on LinkedIn and the description didn't specify whether I was a junior or not. However, I had all the requirements that were being requested.

Then, to my surprise, I received the call in less than a week and was invited to come to MJV to participate in an interview.

Once there, I went through 40 minutes of interview, with several questions. A Design leader asked specific and technical questions, and a woman represented HR.

From the first in contact I was sincere and made it clear that I had no experience and that I had never worked in a company as a UX Designer. In addition, I reinforced my desire to learn and build my career in that company.

To my surprise, I received the call that I had passed the selection process and was hired.

Reading Tip: LinkedIn for Designers - Tips to Improve Your Profile

How is your job today at MJV?

I have been with MJV for months and have been very well received. I arrived at the immersion stage well with one of the clients, who works in insurance policy management.

So, right off the bat, I felt part of that place and comfortable enough to express my opinion, according to the context of the project. I have already participated in a co-creation workshop and in every phase of creation of wireframe.

Now we are building the screens of the project, which has a lot of rules. This made me (and makes me) read the scope almost daily. But now we're already on delivery.

Israel, which is also a student of the MID Bootcamp, said something that makes a lot of sense and that's what I'm trying to do: understand the purpose of the company and the project. This is fundamental.

Therefore, I have a desire to develop my career at MJV. In addition, I want the UX Design is disseminated throughout the company, in a pleasant way. I also intend to focus on English, as it is very important in our area.

What are the tips you would give to those who want to migrate to UX Design?

Be patient, first of all.

Don't charge or compare yourself so much. Be more focused and less anxious.

Try to share with your family, with the people you live with on a daily basis, what your plans are. In my case, I aligned myself with my parents and with my brother who was going to spend 6 months just studying, because I really wanted to work as a UX Designer.

The portfolio is another very important point and it needs to be as complete and organized as possible.

Don't be afraid to do multiple interviews and get a lot of “no”. They are the ones that will leave you stronger, with more courage and maturity.

And the main tip: never stop studying. Read a lot about the area, engage on LinkedIn, and talk to people. Well, the questions, in the interviews, will not always be technical.