Elevate Your UX Career

What No One Tells You About Becoming a Senior UX Designer

Have you been wondering what it really takes to get promoted to Senior UX Designer?
In this episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes story of my own promotion, from the mindset shifts to the messy projects and cross-functional influence that made the biggest difference.
If you’re craving more ownership, impact, and recognition in your UX career, this is for you.
We’ll talk about what separates senior UX designers from mid-level roles, how to build trust across product teams, and why leadership in UX is about more than just design skills. No generic checklists here! Just honest insight from the real-world journey.
Have a question about your UX Career growth? Send me an email to brittanycatesco@gmail.com and maybe I'll answer it on the podcast!
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The #1 Thing UX Leaders Do to Stay Ahead of the Curve (with Ben Peck)

If you’re a UX designer trying to grow your influence, stand out in a competitive job market, or lead through change, then this one’s for you.
In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Peck, a design leader with nearly 20 years of experience. We dive into his career evolution from generalist to design leader, how he’s navigated change across startups and scaling companies, and what it takes to make an impact beyond your job title.
We also get into:
Building design teams and leading through acquisitions
How storytelling and research can help UX influence business strategy
Practical tips for job seekers in a crowded UX market
The importance of emotional design and user advocacy in B2B products
Ben’s journey co-founding Product Hive and the Front Conference
Ben also shares an exclusive 30% discount for the upcoming Front Conference happening September 4-5, 2025. Stick around until the end to grab the code!
 
🔗 Connect with Ben on LinkedIn
 
💻 Register for the Front Conference here: https://www.frontutah.com/conference/registration
 
🎧 Subscribe & follow Elevate Your UX Career for more conversations that help you grow your influence, confidence, and career clarity as a mid-career UX designer.

The One AI Skill That Will Future-Proof Your UX Career

Worried that AI might replace UX designers? You’re not alone—but here’s the truth: UX isn’t going away. It’s evolving.
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, host Brittany Cates, senior UX designer and career coach, tackles the growing fear around artificial intelligence and its impact on UX jobs. She offers a refreshing, strategic perspective on how AI can augment rather than replace human-centered design.
You’ll learn how to future-proof your UX career by focusing on AI literacy, strategic thinking, and the soft skills that make UX irreplaceable. Plus, Brittany shares practical ways to integrate AI tools into your workflow without losing your creative edge.
This episode also features a real listener question: “Is UX still worth pursuing in such a competitive job market?” Brittany breaks it down with honesty and inspiration, reminding us that if you love solving complex problems and advocating for users, UX is still a deeply meaningful and in-demand career.
Tune in to learn:
How AI is changing the UX landscape (and how to stay ahead)
Key skills that will keep UX designers relevant and in demand
Ways to show leadership by embracing AI strategically
What makes UX a fulfilling and future-ready career path
🎧 If you’re a UX designer navigating uncertainty and looking to grow with confidence in the age of AI, this episode is for you.
💌 Subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more actionable insights, career growth strategies, and behind-the-scenes podcast content: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list

Surviving Layoffs in Tech: How UX Designers Can Stay Resilient

Laid off? (Or afraid you might be?) Whether you’ve recently been impacted or you’re navigating the emotional fallout of seeing your teammates go, this episode of Elevate Your UX Career is here to help you process, reflect, and move forward.
Join host Brittany Cates, senior UX designer and career coach, as she opens up about her own experiences with multiple rounds of layoffs. With honesty and empathy, Brittany walks you through the grief, guilt, and uncertainty that often follow and why this difficult season can also be the beginning of something better.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
How to process grief and survivor’s guilt after layoffs
Why layoffs aren’t a reflection of your value as a designer
Three perspective shifts that will help you regain confidence and clarity
How to turn a setback into a setup for your next career move
If you’re a UX designer navigating career uncertainty, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone and that you still have options, agency, and so much to offer.
💌 Subscribe to my newsletter for more resources, encouragement, and actionable tips to help you rebuild and rise in your UX career.

Why Your Good Work Is Always Overlooked and 3 Easy Ways to Start Being Seen

Do you ever feel invisible on your UX team? Like your ideas aren’t taken seriously or your work goes unnoticed? You’re not alone and it doesn’t have to stay that way.
In this solo episode of Elevate Your UX Career, Brittany Cates, senior product designer and career coach, breaks down three powerful mindset and communication shifts that can help mid-career UX designers go from overlooked to influential. If you’re ready to be seen as more than "just the designer," this episode is your starting point.
Brittany shares real talk and real strategies, including:
How to reframe the way you speak about your UX work
Why communicating the why behind your decisions builds trust and influence
The secret to getting a seat at the strategic table—without waiting for permission
What it means to position yourself as a thought partner, not just a pixel pusher
Packed with personal stories, practical takeaways, and encouragement to own your value, this episode is a must-listen for UX designers ready to grow into leadership.
Subscribe to my newsletter for even more insights and actionable career advice tailored for experienced designers who are ready to rise.

The Power of Self-Advocacy in UX: Lessons from a Design Leader (with Mitch Clements)

Ready to grow as a UX designer and step into leadership?
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, Brittany Cates sits down with Mitch Clements, Senior Product Design Manager at nCino, to explore what it really takes to level up in the UX field. Mitch shares his inspiring journey from Android developer to leading a thriving design team—growing from just 2 to over 30 designers.
Whether you're aiming for a promotion, managing growing pains in your design team, or wondering how to advocate for your value in a corporate environment, this episode is packed with real-world advice for mid-career UX professionals. Tune in to learn how to:
Overcome common career blockers in UX
Build influence and advocate for your team
Scale design teams without losing quality
Strengthen your soft skills and leadership mindset
Tap into community and mentorship for long-term growth
If you're a UX designer ready to elevate your impact, this conversation will give you the mindset shifts and actionable strategies you’ve been looking for.
Follow Mitch on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-clements/
Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list

Why I Started This UX Podcast (And Why You'll Want to Stick Around)

Feeling stuck in your UX career? Or are you ready for more influence, clarity, and confidence?
Welcome to the very first episode of Elevate Your UX Career with host Brittany Cates, senior UX designer and career coach for mid-career professionals who are ready to grow.
In this kickoff episode, Brittany shares the why behind this podcast: to create a real, honest space for UX designers who want to go beyond the surface of their careers and start making a bigger impact.
She opens up about the challenges of gaining visibility in corporate environments, navigating the evolving role of design in the age of AI, and what it means to own your voice as a UX professional.
You’ll get a sneak peek into what’s coming, including:
Actionable career advice tailored to mid-career UX designers
Honest conversations about leadership, influence, and growth
Inspiring interviews with seasoned design leaders
Listener Q&A to address real-world career struggles
Encouragement to show up with empathy, ethics, and strategic clarity
If you're ready to take control of your UX career and grow into the leader you're meant to be, this podcast is for you.
💌 Subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter to get career tips, personal stories, and exclusive podcast content delivered straight to your inbox: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list

Ready to Grow as a UX Designer? Start Here! (Trailer)

Feeling stuck in your UX career? Ready to break through that ceiling and finally get the recognition you deserve?
Elevate Your UX Career is the podcast for mid-career UX designers who want to grow their influence, own their voice, and level up on their own terms.
I’m Brittany Cates, a UX designer, career coach, and your guide on this journey. I know what it’s like to feel overlooked, stuck in execution mode, or boxed into roles that don’t fully use your potential.
Each episode brings you real talk about mindset, strategy, and clarity to help you lead your own career, whether through solo deep dives packed with actionable insights or candid conversations with design leaders who’ve been in your shoes.
If you’re ready to stop waiting for permission and start crafting your next career chapter, hit follow and let’s get started.