In today's fast-paced and dynamic world, it is crucial to be more adaptable and agile and to always keep learning. Continued learning is your self-motivated persistence in acquiring knowledge and competencies to expand your skill set and develop future opportunities.
Kristiyan Valev has always been curious and eager to learn new skills.
“I’m always looking for ways to level up and improve myself in various fields,” he shared during our interview.
And that’s exactly what he did.
His story started with a recommendation from his most trusted person, Bogomil, Kristyan’s brother. Bogomil is one of our Alpha graduates who proved that when you are motivated and put all your efforts into it, you can achieve your dream career.
We reached out to Kristyan to learn more about his inspiring story and his advice for all who consider their next career step. Maybe you are among them?
Before we dive in, just a reminder - you still have time until July 9 to apply for
the free pre-course and increase your chance of being admitted into the UX/UI program.
Hi, Kristiyan, let’s start from the beginning. When did you first decide you wanted to pursue a career in UX/UI?
I was very into digital art from a young age, and my skills and interests always leaned more toward that side rather than traditional Graphic Design. UX/UI Design wasn’t really on my radar as a career choice. I only got introduced to it after seeing my brother’s success with the Telerik Academy Alpha program and decided to check what programs Telerik Academy offers. The
Upskill UX/UI Design program immediately caught my attention as something that seemed cool and could boost my growth.
I’m always looking for ways to level up and improve myself in various fields. In the past years, I found the best way to do that is by taking a focused course as a foundation and then building up on it. Spending 3 – 6 months to learn something I find interesting and then having this knowledge for the rest of my life is a very alluring idea to me - you get introduced to a new way of thinking, and the learning does not stop. There is no level cap! With this in mind, choosing the
Telerik Upskill UX/UI Design program was easy.
You joined the free pre-course before the Upskill program. How did the course help you to earn your spot in the Upskill UX/UI program?
The pre-course showed me that I had the foundation to enter the
Upskill program, while it also introduced me to some concepts we later studied in the main course. It was an effective way to get a feel of the friendly and, at the same time, professional atmosphere at Telerik Academy.
What did you find most valuable in the program?
The most valuable experience for me was the opportunity to work together with a team on a full-scale project. Finding the right mindset to cooperate, build trust and push each other forward was something that I directly transferred into my current job. The course was challenging in a way that simulated the intensity of a real working environment and gave me the confidence that I would be able to overcome any hurdles in the future.
What positive impact did the UX/UI Design program bring to your career?
At first, I wasn’t looking for a new job opportunity, as I already had a stable job in the Fintech industry. My initial idea was to work on a few personal projects with the skills I learned at Telerik Academy. After some unfortunate events at the start of the year, I decided to look for a change and applied as a UX Designer at Audience Platform. They quickly reached back, and I was already hired after two interviews. It surprised me that I was able to get a good job in the field only a month after finishing the program.
How do you spend a typical workday?
I find the work to be very interesting. It involves a lot of exploration and deep-diving into specific business fields. My main focus is on creating user workflows and designing mockups. We are working on products that provide very advanced Ad Operations and Monetization solutions for leading Digital-first and Traditional media publishers. The meetings with clients are insightful and rewarding at the same time, as you get directly validated for your work.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a UX/UI designer?
I would advise people considering a change in their career to think deeply about their strengths and the value they want to bring to others. I believe this can guide them toward a decision that can positively impact them. You need to be observant of the environments that enable your productivity and bring out the best in you.
Want to supercharge your career? Apply for the
Telerik Academy Upskill UX/UI Design and become a well-rounded professional.
