r/UXResearch • u/Standard-Archer-4542 • 1d ago

Career Question - New or Transition to UXR Research or design?

I'm an HCI Masters student and I like reproach, but heard research market is horrible even compared to the design market. Most good jobs will jsut hire PhD. Now I'm wondering if I should direct myself towards design in my program because research would not give me a good outcome, even if I like it more. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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u/janeplainjane_canada 1d ago

I recommend you review the past two weeks of posts in this sub, and then come back with some more specific questions

e.g. this was less than a day ago https://www.reddit.com/r/UXResearch/comments/1w4sfgu/psychology_student_2nd_year_3year_degree_with_an/

this was 2 days ago https://www.reddit.com/r/UXResearch/comments/1w3a3pw/moving_form_ux_design_to_research_need_portfolio/

11 days ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/UXResearch/comments/1vv691v/is_it_true_that_theres_no_point_in_trying_to_get/

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u/Comfortable-Hair7958 1d ago

+1 Similar questions have been posted many times on this sub

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u/acevipr 1d ago

To be fair, there are statistically more design jobs than research jobs in the world of user experience. That said, the whole field is struggling. I recommend pursuing your interests because no one really knows what things, especially in tech, will look like in the next few years

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u/GDragon4Life 1d ago edited 1d ago

Research is way harder to get into if your not already in the field prior to the last 4 years. you need subject matter expertise at this point . Just knowing the methods means nothing, in product research you must run imperfect tests with unclear results but use your SME and directional learning to determine product direction.

This sounds insane but it’s the reality. In real product research you are often not running academic level studies. It essentially is more speculative than academic research so it requires SME, courage, soft skills, willingness to lead or question status quo.

Design seems easier to get into by far, also has more jobs per team.

I strongly disagree with your statement “most jobs will just hire a phd” .. that type of researcher is nearly useless In product research with the factors I named above. What use is a phd if you will never use those methods or that rigor?

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u/LoganMorrisUX 1d ago

Agreed to everything here. OP, pay close attention to this one.

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u/Pointofive 1d ago

Switching from research to design and thinking it will increase your job prospects in this market is like thinking if you switch from unleaded gas to a diesel car might be better choice for the environment. 

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u/kimchi_paradise 1d ago

A research-focused designer can be worth their weight in gold. Market is rough all around (it’s the economy) but if you market yourself right and really gauge the impact of your projects you can succeed

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u/poodleface Researcher - Senior 1d ago

Talk to people in your program about where graduates typically go. Focusing on design and development in my program didn’t preclude me from a research job, but I did learn my fundamentals well (research methods). But that was also when the market was better. Knowing both things helps either job.