Career paths
Compare each path, then follow the recommended one’s action plan.
Built around what you said is holding you back: Finding higher-value clients, Choosing the next skill to learn, Presenting portfolio work clearly, Building confidence in interviews, Growing income consistently
Transition to Product Design · Recommended
This path involves transitioning from web engineering to product design by acquiring new skills, building a portfolio, and networking.
Skills to add: Product design, User experience (UX), User interface (UI) design, Prototyping tools, Market research
Timeline: 12 months
Income uplift: Significant increase
Clears: Finding higher-value clients, Choosing the next skill to learn, Presenting portfolio work clearly, Building confidence in interviews, Growing income consistently
Specialize in Web Engineering
This path focuses on specializing further in web engineering by acquiring advanced skills and networking to grow income.
Skills to add: Advanced web technologies, Security, Performance optimization
Timeline: 12 months
Income uplift: Moderate increase
Clears: Finding higher-value clients, Choosing the next skill to learn, Growing income consistently
Freelance Web Development
This path involves transitioning to freelance web development, focusing on finding higher-value clients and building a diverse portfolio.
Skills to add: Freelance management, Marketing, Client acquisition
Timeline: 12 months
Income uplift: Variable
Clears: Finding higher-value clients, Growing income consistently
Immediate actions
Do these next.
- Research potential career paths as a product designer, focusing on the skills and experience required for higher-value clients.
- Attend workshops or webinars to learn the next skill relevant to product design.
- Network with professionals in the product design field to gain insights and opportunities.
Timeline to goal
Month-by-month milestones (12-month plan)
- Month 1
Research potential career paths as a product designer.
Tackles: Finding higher-value clients, Choosing the next skill to learn
- Month 2
Attend workshops or webinars on product design.
Tackles: Choosing the next skill to learn
- Month 3
Build a basic portfolio showcasing product design skills.
Tackles: Presenting portfolio work clearly
- Month 4
Network with professionals in the product design field.
Tackles: Finding higher-value clients
- Month 5
Start a personal project to apply product design skills.
- Month 6
Prepare for interviews with a focus on product design roles.
Tackles: Building confidence in interviews
- Month 7
Attend a networking event or industry meetup.
Tackles: Finding higher-value clients
- Month 8
Begin learning advanced product design tools.
Tackles: Choosing the next skill to learn
- Month 9
Update portfolio with advanced project.
Tackles: Presenting portfolio work clearly
- Month 10
Mock interviews to build confidence.
Tackles: Building confidence in interviews
- Month 11
Research salary expectations for product designers.
Tackles: Growing income consistently
- Month 12
Apply for product design positions.
Tackles: Building confidence in interviews, Growing income consistently
Take action