Unlocking opportunities through community

‍TL;DR‍

Originally studying interior design, Rahul transitioned to product design and chose ownpath to help him along his journey. The industry projects he completed during the program were pivotal in opening up new opportunities for him.

Rahul recently landed a position as a Product Designer at Cosmofeed, crediting this opportunity to a connection made within his ownpath cohort. His eagerness to learn and dedication to work helped him seal the deal.

His advice to current Fellows is simple: Attend classes and workshops, engage in projects, build your network, and don't hesitate to ask for help when needed.

This is his story: 

I've always been interested in design and started using tools like Photoshop and Illustrator back when I was in the 4th grade. When the time came, I chose to study interior design.

However, during my second year, I completed an internship where I realised that interior design might not be the best fit for me. I enrolled in the Google UX Design certification on Coursera, and although it covered foundational concepts, it sparked my interest in product design. Some friends already working in the field shared their exciting career prospects and good earning potential. Seeing a brighter future in product design, I decided to transition once college ended.

I discovered ownpath through one of my mentors on ADPlist, who spoke highly of it. In contrast to other online courses, ownpath offered a much more comprehensive curriculum, with a repository of experienced mentors leading masterclasses and assisting in portfolio building.

During the Fellowship, besides classes, we had several workshops on UI design which, as a beginner, were very helpful to me. While taking the course, I was also applying to jobs and completing selection assignments with deadlines as short as 2 days. Aparna (Program Manager at ownpath), helped arrange calls with mentors every time I needed assistance.

What stood out for me at ownpath were the industry projects, and I participated in two such projects, one with Jiva and the other with Postman. It so happened that I ended up working on both projects solo, instead of with a team. I was unsure about my approach, but Aparna motivated me to proceed and do my best. This encouragement helped me, and I completed and presented both projects independently.

Looking back, I realise that this was the right decision. My work on the Jiva project ultimately led to a three-month contract role without any further processes.

At Jiva, I had a fantastic experience exploring both product design and UI design projects out of curiosity. As my contract role with Jiva was nearing its end, I had a one-on-one chat with Nav Pawera, the Head of Design, who has over 20 years of experience in the field. I was feeling stuck in my job search as many job openings required 2-3 years of experience, which I lacked as a fresher. However, Nav explained that in his extensive career, the difference between 0-1 and 2-3 years of experience in hard skills was minimal. He emphasised that softer skills like initiative and ownership were what set candidates apart.

Nav highlighted that my performance at Jiva demonstrated my eagerness to learn and my commitment to delivering quality work. His insights and encouragement provided valuable guidance for my job search.

After my contract role ended, I reached out to the ownpath team to explore job opportunities. Within a week, they contacted me with suitable options. Their prompt response and action were a refreshing change of pace for me.

During my time at ownpath, I realised the significance of community. While searching for team members for a project within the Fellowship, I met Sugandha. Although the project didn't materialise, my friendship with Sugandha, who was already working at Cosmofeed, stuck. When I found an opening at the company, I reached out to her, and she provided me with a referral.

The selection process started in the first week of March. After completing the assignment and meeting with the team in person, Sugandha’s referral, combined with my eagerness to learn and readiness to work, helped me secure the position.

It’s been about 2 months since I joined Cosmofeed as a Product Designer, and it's been a great experience so far. At startups, you get to explore various facets of design, not just product design. I’ve had the chance to wear multiple hats, which has been fantastic. Looking ahead, I seek to transition into product management in the long run. Given my temperament and the design experience I’m gaining, it seems like a natural progression.

My advice to current Fellows would be to attend all classes and the additional workshops offered by ownpath. These sessions are led by experienced industry professionals and offer valuable insights.

ownpath partners with reputable companies for industry projects, and I would encourage current Fellows to fully engage in these projects as they add a lot of value to your portfolio.

I've noticed some individuals feeling intimidated and dropping out midway. Remember, it's okay to ask for help; nobody is judging you.

Participating in such projects also helps you collaborate with other designers, allowing you to see things from different perspectives. Some designers may feel they've created something perfect and can't be improved upon, but that's not the best mindset.

Collaboration and constructive feedback is key for getting better.

Lastly, I want to stress the importance of building a network and community, both within and outside ownpath. You never know what opportunities may arise from these connections. Only in hindsight can you connect these dots.

______

If you're looking to make a career transition, or level up in product design, learn more about ownpath's Product Design Fellowship.

For regular updates, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.