Transforming Career with Human-Centered Design: Stories from UX Design Alumni

When I moved from Colombia to Sweden nearly five years ago, it was for a job that seemed like the perfect opportunity to advance my career as a programmer. With over a decade of experience, I felt confident in my professional path, but relocating to a new country, especially with my partner, caused challenges beyond the work environment. As anyone who has relocated knows, the need for a sense of community and support is as important as career advancement.

Upon arriving in Sweden, my partner began her own professional journey, and it was through her experience that I first heard about Hyper Island. A manager had recommended Hyper Island’s courses to her, and she decided to give it a try. She was immediately drawn to the learning environment and soon made friends who became an essential part of her new life in Sweden. Seeing how much she gained from the experience, I knew that one day, I would want to explore Hyper Island for myself.

Balancing a full-time job while making time for further education can be tricky. The demands of my career left little room for full-time study, but when I learned about Hyper Island’s Upskill Courses, I realized I didn’t have to choose between my job and expanding my skill set. These courses were designed to be remote and part-time, making them an ideal fit for my busy life.
Considering my hectic schedule, I opted for a UX design course. Though I was already somewhat familiar with the topic, I knew that diving deeper into UX design would still be an enriching experience.

Taking this course at Hyper Island turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. It wasn’t just the course content that made an impact, but the overall experience. The course connected me with industry professionals, expanding my network and providing valuable resources for future opportunities.
Beyond professional connections, I made lasting friendships. As someone who relocated from another country, finding a community with shared interests has been invaluable. Looking back, upskilling at Hyper Island was about more than career growth; it enriched my life. For anyone balancing a busy life and seeking further education, I recommend Hyper Island upskill courses.

For the past 15 years, I've been deeply involved in education and technology. Recently, it became clear that I needed to dive deeper in UX and design thinking, which led me on a search for the right course. I hadn’t heard of Hyper Island before, but as I started asking around I quickly learned it’s a well-known school, celebrated for its creativity and innovation. I decided to enroll.

As an educator, my expectations were high. I wasn’t just looking to learn about UX — I wanted a rich educational experience that would also inspire me as a Learning Experience Designer. Hyper Island exceeded those expectations. What struck me most was how the theoretical concepts I read about came to life in a vivid, practical way. My core values have always been collaboration, ethics, and empathy. I believe that caring about people, the world, and the work we do is key to building the kind of world we want to live in. At Hyper Island, I found these values reflected in the collaborative, diverse, and creative environment. It wasn’t just about networking — it was about forming deep, meaningful connections with others.

Hyper Island is designed for creative individuals who are eager to take responsibility for their own learning. What makes it special is that it’s not about being passively taught, it’s about engaging with powerful learning environments and interactions. You meet industry leaders, engage in research, and take hands-on action in a very experiential way. However, it's crucial to understand that you have to be ready to meet that challenge head-on. Hyper Island pushes you to be an active participant in your learning journey, and for me, that made all the difference.

My journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. I’ve always had a wide range of interests, from business and languages to industrial design. Before starting the course, I was working as a sales analyst, but I found myself missing the creativity and innovation that rigid business processes often lack. That’s when I started looking into Hyper Island’s programs.

I wanted something practical, creative, and innovative—a program that would allow me to break free from structured processes and dive into the unknown. The UX Design Upskill course seemed like the perfect fit. It combined elements of business, design, research, and data analytics, all while being offered part-time and online. This flexibility was crucial, as it allowed me to continue working or even take on an internship simultaneously.

While I didn’t have many expectations, knowing I would shape my own learning experience, Hyper Island still managed to surprise me. The emphasis on human skills like teamwork, self-leadership, and lifelong learning went far beyond what I anticipated. This approach not only developed my professional skills but also significantly shifted my mindset.

One aspect that stood out was the freedom within the course. While we had workshops on leadership and teamwork, we were encouraged to explore the software and tools on our own. This autonomy pushed me to figure out what I wanted to gain from the program and allowed me to explore different facets of UX design.

What truly made this experience unique were the people. The diverse backgrounds of my peers, from graphic designers to developers, enriched our collaboration and learning. The industry leaders who guided us were invaluable, offering insights and networking opportunities that I eagerly accepted.

For anyone who thrives on creativity, enjoys exploring the unknown, and is ready to take control of their learning journey, Hyper Island’s Upskill courses are an incredible opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

Hyper Island’s UX Design Upskill course offers more than just education—it’s a catalyst for career transformation. Beyond the technical skills, you’ll gain valuable networking opportunities and join a global community of creative professionals. Ready to advance your career and create impactful user experiences?Apply to our Upskill UX Design course today.