Big Tech or famous startups might be tempting for many. But it was my intentional decision to avoid them. No, I didn’t fail job interviews and I can work in a fast-paced development. I love much more complex challenges (read: I love swimming upstream). You get tons of it in non-tech industries that underestimated digitalization and now try to automate manual processes with digital solutions.
A 3-hour generative research in such environment gives you astonishingly useful insights and a solid reason for excitement. Sometimes you don’t even have to talk to customers. Observe and talk to your colleagues from different departments who work with customers. You’ll uncover a pile of improvement areas that would secure a UX strategy for the next 2 years at least. Most importantly, you contribute to something meaningful for many people, especially in a public domain.
Of course, there are downsides to working as a UX designer in such a field. First, you have to deal with rigid internal processes that prevent you or your colleagues from doing the job well. Second, you have to consider and navigate legal, governmental or technical constraints. These are usually more restrictive in public or similar non-tech domains (at least in Germany). Finally, you’d also be the only UX person or part of a small UX team. It means you’ll likely cover many task areas (research, concept, detailed design, UX writing, testing, and even branding). Some of you would consider it a plus, though, and I’d agree.
Because it’s a lot of fun, as you’ve probably sensed. In my experience, this option is great for growing fast and learning continuously. You just need a pinch of courage and a pretty thick skin.