Fellowship Experience: Vikas Jarmale

TL;DR

Vikas from Mysore, India, shares his transformative journey with ownpath, overcoming COVID-related challenges to become a skilled designer through real projects and collaborative learning. The Fellowship not only enhanced his skills but also provided ongoing support, shaping his successful career in the design field. He also talks about his experience with the Design Collective (previously called Design Residency) and how his learnings at the startup helped him grow professionally. Vikas encourages aspiring designers to explore ownpath for a life-changing experience.

Here’s his story:

My name is Vikas, and I'm from Mysore, India. I've always been interested in art and technology, so I decided to study engineering. After graduation, I took a JavaScript class, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. Then, I discovered design and knew I had found my passion. I enrolled in a design school and quickly realised I had a knack for it. However, finding a job as a designer after college proved challenging. Right when I was starting to get my footing, the COVID pandemic hit, making it even tougher to land a design role. Despite the setbacks, I didn't give up and continued working on my design skills and developing an app idea for the Bangalore Metro. I also kept applying for jobs, but rejections were the norm.

One day, I stumbled upon ownpath's Product Design fellowship that seemed too good to be true. I applied, but my lack of internship experience led to an initial rejection. Undeterred, I continued to hone my skills and eventually secured an internship. After my internship, I reapplied to ownpath, and this time they accepted me! I spent four or five months in ownpath, and it was an amazing experience. I learned so much about design, and I met a lot of great people. ownpath helped me become a better designer. I learned how to approach design problems, how to think about user needs, and how to communicate my ideas effectively.

The masterclasses offered during the fellowship were a valuable resource. Manali Mitra's sessions on storytelling taught me how to structure and present my work effectively. Shivani Gupta and Akshay's classes were equally enriching, and Mahima's user testing workshops left a lasting impact. The true value of these lessons became evident when I applied them to my projects.

My first industry project was with Postman, a two-month experience that highlighted the importance of collaboration. As a designer, I was challenged to explain and justify my design decisions, which helped me refine my presentation skills. Working with my teammate, Sameer, we formed a dynamic partnership that fostered our articulation skills. Initially, I was hesitant about networking, but collaborating with Sameer changed my perspective, and I ended up making many friends. ownpath's community model encouraged open interactions and knowledge sharing, creating an ideal environment for personal and professional development.

Later, I joined the Design Collective (previously called Design residency) and unlocked an opportunity in a fast-paced startup, introducing me to the dynamic world of startups. The constant influx of new projects and rapid decision-making processes imparted invaluable lessons. ownpath's support extended beyond placement, evident in my ongoing interactions with the mentors.

My ownpath journey has been nothing short of transformative. The skills, knowledge, and network I gained have empowered me to excel in the design field. While challenges were inevitable, the unwavering support and opportunities provided have shaped my career trajectory. I'm grateful for the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the confidence gained. ownpath has truly been a collaborative adventure that I'll cherish forever.

If you're an aspiring designer, I encourage you to check out ownpath. It's a great program that can help you reach your goals.

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If you’re a designer, you can join our Product Design Fellowship. The next cohort begins soon!

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