“What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women who want to grow in the UX/Product industry?”
For International Women’s Day, we asked this question to ten amazing women in UX and Product. Their insights and advice are here to inspire anyone looking to succeed in the field.
At Useberry, we’re all about highlighting the female voices of experts shaping the future of UX and Product. Here’s what they shared!
Layshi Curbelo
“Remember that you will always represent a significant percentage of your users. Even if you are not the direct user (I know designers shouldn’t design for themselves, and research is important, BUT hear me out), the things that affect you as part of your intersectionality as a woman will impact a large portion of the users you are designing for. It’s important to keep this in mind and raise your voice when necessary, especially when design decisions affect how women use, consume, and pay for products. Creating a product or experience solely from one point of view can be harmful to users. Representation matters, and making your voice heard is essential to creating better solutions for everyone.
Also, don’t be afraid to start things. If no one is doing something you know is needed, just make it happen. Sometimes we hesitate to take the lead for a number of reasons, but stepping up—even if it’s your first time or you’re unsure how to do it—will prepare you to learn in any circumstance and give you the energy to create real change. Your voice and your willingness to make a difference are what I would definitely recommend.“
➡️ Connect with Layshi: LinkedIn | Website
Nurgul Aksoy
“Women in UX may face challenges like being overlooked or needing to prove themselves more. Finding mentors, building a strong network, and supporting inclusive workplaces can make a big difference. Change takes time, but staying confident and speaking up helps shape a better industry.”
➡️ Connect with Nurgul: Substack | PodUX podcast | LinkedIn
Miriam Isaac
“Be so good they can’t ignore you – but remember that ‘good’ means both exceptional design work and being a great teammate. After a decade in tech, through layoffs and job changes, I’ve learned that mastering your craft while being helpful, collaborative, and open to feedback creates a value that’s everlasting, wherever you may go.”
➡️ Connect with Miriam: LinkedIn
Sahar Chung
“UX is going through quite a large recalibration as the tech industry shifts to meet market demands. What businesses care about and need is evolving rapidly, and UX work needs to map to business goals to be maximally impactful.
My biggest piece of advice as these changes unfold is to stay plugged in: follow designers, researchers, and product folks who serve as thought leaders in the space. Read articles, watch videos, attend conferences – there are lots of great resources out there, both free and paid. The best thing you can do when things are changing so rapidly is to stay curious, keep learning, be flexible, embrace ambiguity, and build community. As we see shifts in our field, having a strong network and continually developing your knowledge will help you understand not just your role, but how UX can be a strategic partner to the business.“
➡️ Connect with Sahar: LinkedIn | Portfolio
Aneta Kmiecik
“Start building your confidence from day one. Become self-aware. Get to know your skills: design, behavioral, strategic, industry-specific, transferable, and more. Make sure you also understand which areas excite you the most and which drain you. Identify your natural strengths and personality.
Document your career achievements using a brag document. Never doubt yourself. If someone seems more confident or “smarter” than you, remind yourself that they’re probably just more vocal or opinionated. Set goals and go for them.
Build connections early, don’t wait until you need them. The best referrals come from genuine relationships, not from artificial messages like “Hey, can you refer me to your company?”. But also, you don’t need to connect with everyone, just be intentional.
Last but not least, don’t neglect your portfolio. Always be prepared for career changes. The portfolio creation process is a marathon. It takes time and effort, but the skills you develop along the way, such as storytelling and visual design, will stay with you forever.”
➡️ Connect with Aneta: UX Portfolio Course | Newsletter | LinkedIn | Instagram
Janus Tiu
“Show up, ask bold questions, and challenge assumptions. Don’t wait for permission or for a title to lead. You can lead through your ideas, your curiosity, and your ability to drive meaningful conversations.”
➡️ Connect with Janus: LinkedIn | Website | Instagram | Threads
Eleni Lialiamou
“My advice to women aspiring to thrive in the UX/Product industry is this: Own your perspective, embrace continuous learning, and don’t wait for permission to build. Your unique experiences give you an advantage—use them to design solutions that truly resonate with people. Leverage AI and emerging tools to amplify your impact, experiment boldly, and create without limitations.
Surround yourself with a community that lifts you up, and remember: the future of product is diverse, and your voice is essential in shaping it.”
➡️ Connect with Eleni: LinkedIn | Kimolian Academy
Swati Rai
“Never compare someone’s 200th step with your 1st step and remember everyone was a beginner once.”
➡️ Connect with Swati: LinkedIn | Website
Dilmin Doğan
“To women dreaming of a career in UX/Product, my biggest advice is to trust your instinct and keep your users at the heart of everything you create. Always ask yourself how your work can make someone’s day a little easier. But remember, great design also happens when you listen and collaborate, as learning to align user needs with business goals will help your ideas shine.
The best designs are the ones that not only serve users but also drive impact. And while you’re busy designing for others, don’t forget to design your own path too. Success in this field isn’t just about great design; it’s about influence, resilience, and knowing your worth. Celebrate your wins, lean on your community, and surround yourself with people who lift you up. Never hesitate to ask for what you deserve. The journey might have its ups and downs, but your perspective is truly what makes this industry better.”
➡️ Connect with Dilmin: LinkedIn | Website
Lilibeth Bustos Linares
“One piece of advice I’d give to women aspiring to thrive in the UX/Product industry is to follow what truly excites you in design while learning how your work fits into the bigger picture of business and technology. As a Latina, immigrant, and former journalism and communicator who switched to design in my mid-20s, I’ve learned that success in this field isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about solving real problems in ways that work for users, the business, and teams.
Some of those tips are:
- Focus on What You Love: Design is a big field, so explore different areas like user research, prototyping, or design strategy. Find what you’re passionate about and dive deep into it. When you love what you do, it shows in your work.
- Learn the Business Side: Understand how your designs impact the company’s goals. Ask questions like: What’s the budget? What’s technically possible? What makes sense for the business? This will help you create solutions that are not only user-friendly but also realistic and valuable to the company.
- Stay Creative in the Age of AI: With AI automating many tasks, creativity and problem-solving will set you apart. Use AI tools to save time, but focus on skills that machines can’t do—like understanding people’s needs, telling a story through design, and thinking strategically.
- Build Confidence and Speak Up: Sometimes, stakeholders might not see the value in your ideas. Practice explaining why your design decisions matter. Share your experiences and perspectives—your unique voice is important. Confidence grows when you speak up and own your expertise.
- Normalize Imposter Syndrome: Almost everyone feels like they don’t belong at some point, especially in tech. Remember, it’s normal to feel this way, but don’t let it stop you. Keep learning, ask for feedback, and remind yourself of your accomplishments.
- Connect with Others: Talk to other designers, especially women and underrepresented groups. Share your journey, ask for advice, and learn from their experiences. Having a support system can make a huge difference when you’re facing challenges.
- Take Control of Your Growth: If you feel stuck in your job, it’s okay to look for new opportunities. Take on side projects, learn new skills, or explore roles that challenge you. Your career is your journey, and it’s okay to make changes to keep growing.
Finally, treat your career like a game—stay curious, experiment, and don’t be afraid to take risks. By combining your creativity with a solid understanding of business and tech, you’ll not only succeed in the UX/Product industry but also inspire others to follow their dreams.”
➡️ Connect with Lilibeth: LinkedIn | Instagram | Website
Conclusion
From confidence and continuous learning to bold leadership and community building, the advice shared by these inspiring women in UX and Product highlights a common theme: own your voice and take action. Growth comes from both skill and mindset.
Happy International Women’s Day! 💐
Feel free to contact us!
We’d love to know your experience with Useberry and we will be excited to hear your thoughts and ideas.
