I stopped being a UX Designer. Here's what I'm doing now.
I stopped being a UX Designer. After 6 years, big tech, and 215 job applications in 2026, here's the honest reason why — and what I'm doing for money instead.
This is a full life update on leaving my UX design job, burning out in big tech during the AI push, and what the UX job market really looks like right now. I break down my exact job search stats: how many companies I applied to, how far I got, and why "your background is so impressive" kept turning into a rejection. I also talk about the money side stock, runway, and what happens when the salary stops plus why I'm looking at contract work and where my content is headed next.
If you're a UX designer job hunting in 2026, getting laid off, questioning the career, or just wondering whether it's you or the market it's not you. Let me know in the comments how your search is going.
WATCH NEXT
♢ The worst UX portfolio advice of 2026 https://youtu.be/UMFxlVqOkBw
♢ Why UX designers are getting ghosted in 2026 (& how to stop it) https://youtu.be/a8kmJKVEuY4
♢ The UX job market is broken https://youtu.be/WkmlpgOwqpA
GUIDES
♡ Fix your UX Portfolio https://payhip.com/b/Sf0R8
♡ Sign up for a personalized resume strategy with me - https://payhip.com/b/6QaG8
♡ Ux-fy your Resume https://payhip.com/b/WQ72S
♡ Get the UX recruiter call https://payhip.com/b/9leZo
♡ Pass your UX interview playbook - https://payhip.com/b/uiZfI
DESIGN LAB
$100 off each course
✿ UX Academy: https://designlab.pxf.io/vDErNW
✿ Design lab AI Products course : https://designlab.pxf.io/JkRare
CHAPTERS
0:00 The full life update
0:11 Why I moved to LA
0:27 Why I left big tech
2:15 How I'm funding the gap
3:12 My 2026 stats: 215 applications
5:04 Rejections that don't add up
7:06 Where my content goes next
8:41 Not letting my design skills rust
SKILLSHARE - Free 7-day courses
https://skillshare.eqcm.net/QOEodY
30% Off Annual Membership with code: aff30d21
CONNECT WITH ME
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mim.michii/
For business inquiries **only**: hello@miminishi.com
NOTE
Links included in this description might be affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you purchase a product or service with these links. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue providing free content! ♡♡♡♡♡
This is a full life update on leaving my UX design job, burning out in big tech during the AI push, and what the UX job market really looks like right now. I break down my exact job search stats: how many companies I applied to, how far I got, and why "your background is so impressive" kept turning into a rejection. I also talk about the money side stock, runway, and what happens when the salary stops plus why I'm looking at contract work and where my content is headed next.
If you're a UX designer job hunting in 2026, getting laid off, questioning the career, or just wondering whether it's you or the market it's not you. Let me know in the comments how your search is going.
WATCH NEXT
♢ The worst UX portfolio advice of 2026 https://youtu.be/UMFxlVqOkBw
♢ Why UX designers are getting ghosted in 2026 (& how to stop it) https://youtu.be/a8kmJKVEuY4
♢ The UX job market is broken https://youtu.be/WkmlpgOwqpA
GUIDES
♡ Fix your UX Portfolio https://payhip.com/b/Sf0R8
♡ Sign up for a personalized resume strategy with me - https://payhip.com/b/6QaG8
♡ Ux-fy your Resume https://payhip.com/b/WQ72S
♡ Get the UX recruiter call https://payhip.com/b/9leZo
♡ Pass your UX interview playbook - https://payhip.com/b/uiZfI
DESIGN LAB
$100 off each course
✿ UX Academy: https://designlab.pxf.io/vDErNW
✿ Design lab AI Products course : https://designlab.pxf.io/JkRare
CHAPTERS
0:00 The full life update
0:11 Why I moved to LA
0:27 Why I left big tech
2:15 How I'm funding the gap
3:12 My 2026 stats: 215 applications
5:04 Rejections that don't add up
7:06 Where my content goes next
8:41 Not letting my design skills rust
SKILLSHARE - Free 7-day courses
https://skillshare.eqcm.net/QOEodY
30% Off Annual Membership with code: aff30d21
CONNECT WITH ME
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mim.michii/
For business inquiries **only**: hello@miminishi.com
NOTE
Links included in this description might be affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you purchase a product or service with these links. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue providing free content! ♡♡♡♡♡