Time has flown by since I completed the CareerFoundry (CF) UX Design Course. As I look back, I feel the profound impact that experience has had on my personal growth. So here I am, sharing my observations to help people like you figure out if the course is worth the hustle. Some time ago, I was in the exact same spot as you, wondering if investing money and time was gonna pay off. Pay attention to Small Alerts where I talk about what went differently than expected. I also put a few tips at the end of the article that could be helpful for those who just started a course. Let's dive in!
*Keep in mind that the review is based on the experience from 2019 that might have changed since then.
CareerFoundry stands out with their diverse program options, offering both full-time (5 months) and part-time (10 months) alternatives, allowing students to choose what timeline suits them best. The best part is the self-paced curriculum, giving learners the freedom to decide when and how to organize their studies. Whether you prefer to knock out two tasks per week or take your time and complete a whole section in one weekend, it's all up to you. Flexibility at its finest.
CF provides a progress timeline that shows if you keep up with a curriculum. If you see a timeline like the one below, you need to speed up so that the top green indicator catches the one below. It's all about making sure you stay on track and keep that learning run smoothly.
Based on your progress, CF calculates how many tasks you have to tackle each week to hit the deadline. It's like having your own personal study coach, making sure you stay ahead of the game.
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According to CF, completing the UX Design Course would take around 5 months at 30 hours per week for the full-time program or 10 months at 15 hours per week for the part-time option. However, many students I've talked to admit that it often takes longer than the estimated timeframe. So, while you might meet the final deadline, be prepared for it to potentially take more than the recommended hours per week.
The good news is that there are some flexibilities in the timeline. If your tutor or mentor take days off, you'll automatically get extra days to work on your project. Similarly, if you fall sick and can provide a sick note, you'll receive additional time as well. If you still find it challenging to complete everything on time, the Student advisors can grant you a two-month extension at no extra cost.
However, keep in mind that any further extensions beyond the initial two months may come with additional charges. So, plan your schedule wisely and make the most out of the available support to ensure a fulfilling learning experience!
Learning UX design with tutorials, podcasts, articles, and books is great, but if you're just jumping around without a plan, it's hard to see the big picture of what you've actually learned. That's why sticking to a structured curriculum can be really effective.
Your UX course is split into three parts: First, you've got the Fundamentals (one-month long) where you'll get the basics and even design a vocabulary app. Then comes the Immersion (7 months!), where you'll really dive into the nitty-gritty of UX design by working on one of your chosen projects. Lastly, there's the Specialisation (two months), where you can dig deep into UI, Web Development, or Voice User Interface.
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Going for a specialization won't turn you into a full-fledged expert, but it will give you more understanding of the specific area. For example, UI specialization teaches you how to create custom icons instead of grabbing them from ready kits. Although the UI crash course was a bit repetitive in some parts, it gave me the valuable theory behind layout, typography, colour, imagery, animation, and responsive design.
The course structure is pretty straightforward. You start with a reading session that takes about 30-40 minutes. After that, you'll have a task to apply what you've learned. Don't worry; tutors will check your tasks, but there are no grades – just feedback and a chance to revise if needed.
If you ever get stuck on a task, you can reach out to your tutor for help and guidance. And if you have broader industry-related questions, there's a Mentor you can contact. You'll have video calls with them to discuss all things related to the field. The best part is that the readings are fun and easy to understand. Personally, I found myself even more excited about UX design after starting this course.
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Some chapters provide rather a broad overview without going into all the specifics. When I was working on my first Style Guide, I had a clear idea of what sections to include, but I lacked knowledge on how to create each of them. For instance, I knew the basics of typography, but I wasn't sure how to successfully combine two fonts. As a result, I had to conduct additional research on my own to bridge this knowledge gap.
During the course, you'll get a tutor and mentor to help you out throughout the learning journey until the Specialisation part. Since the course goes on for months, there's a chance you might experience a replacement change. I got the chance to learn from four amazing people supporting me as I developed my design skills.
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Sometimes a sudden tutor change can be demotivating, especially if you've already bonded and made progress together. It's unexpected, and it's natural to feel a bit down. But it is gonna be alright. Even though it may not align with your expectations, having multiple mentors is great for diverse feedback, so make the most of this opportunity.
If the connection is just not there, changing tutors or mentors can be tough without a strong reason. Many students avoid difficult conversations or providing feedback on the go to avoid awkward situations due to the course length.
I would highly recommend taking the Job Preparation (JP) course; even though it's optional, it's incredibly valuable for job hunting and interviews in the design industry. You get the perfect opportunity to polish your portfolio, update your CV and LinkedIn profile, and work on your personal branding. The career specialists are very helpful and continue to support you even after the program ends. This short course gave me valuable insights into how my work was viewed, not just by other designers but also by recruiters.
Additionally, JP is a requirement for the Job Guarantee, which is a big draw for many students. CareerFoundry promises to refund the program cost if you don't secure a job within 6 months of graduating. It sounds enticing, but make sure to review all the requirements in Terms and Conditions. Based on my experience (Spring 2019 – Spring 2020), it's achievable, but it's undoubtedly challenging.
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Make sure to finish the Job Preparation course within 30 days. I thought I had two months to work on it since I completed the Specialisation a bit early, but my progress indicator showed only one month left. So, if you're aiming for the Job Guarantee, be smart and start working on the career assignments earlier (you can officially start when you reach half of the Immersion course). Regardless of how early you complete Specialisation, you'll still have one month to finish JP to qualify for the Job Guarantee. Yet, if it isn't your priority, the career team can be flexible and give you more time to manage all assignments on time.
Focus on the task content. Don’t overthink and spend too much time on task presentations.
I spent too much time presenting tasks ‘creatively’ in the PowerPoint right at the beginning of the course. It was not relevant and just slowed me down. What I can see from my experience is that student submissions in the later stages looked much more minimal than those who just started. No one will judge how ‘wild’ you can go with creativity. Your aesthetic taste will likely be shaped along the whole course way.
Do not worry about being active on the Slack channel right from the start.
CareerFoundry Slack channel is great, and you are highly encouraged to make use of it as soon as possible. It’s a place where you can find a study buddy, get some advice if you are stuck on the task, and find participants for your questionnaires or usability tests. But don't stress about doing everything right away. When I started, I had a lot of information to process too. As soon as I got into the swing of things, it came very naturally. Plus, the best part is you get lifelong community access, so there's plenty of time to get involved.
Don’t be afraid to give honest feedback to your tutors and mentors about the teaching process.
Those who've got your back also want to hear how they can do better. While you can always provide feedback anonymously, open conversation is a more transparent and caring way to add real value. Anonymous ratings without precise comments may not offer the clarity needed to address issues or make improvements.
Keep in contact with your tutors, mentors, and career specialists also after the end of the course.
These are the people who have witnessed your journey from the beginning, seen your growth and challenges. They genuinely care about your success and will be there to offer advice and support in your career. Likewise, you can be there for them if they ever need help from your side. It's a two-way relationship built on mutual care and support.
Just so you know, this is all based on my own journey, and things might vary depending on the course you choose. CareerFoundry gave me confidence that I was on the right path. Most importantly, it took me by the hand and guided me through the entire waterfall UX design process, which can be unrealistic to follow in real-life projects. Having a clear outline from the concept to the prototyping process still helps me navigate projects from any point I jump into them.
Just keep in mind, no matter how great any course is, it alone won’t be enough to secure a seat at the product table. You'll also need to learn how to leverage interactions to achieve business goals, collaborate with others, and articulate your design choices. Imposter syndrome never truly disappears, but with time, it gets easier to manage and grow from. Each day, I may feel like I know just a bit less of nothing than the day before, and that's okay. Learn to have fun in the process, and if the fun fades, take some time to bring it back. This will keep you mentally fit to handle whatever comes your way.
