UX/UI Design Career Chat in Berlin: Networking Recap

In April 2023, Code Labs Academy hosted an in-person UX/UI Career Chat in Berlin, Germany. The goal was simple: create space for honest career stories, useful questions, and real connections.

If you’re reading this in 2026, the details below remain a solid snapshot of what early-career designers and career switchers were actively asking and what a focused networking evening can look like.

Event snapshot

This Career Chat was designed as a relaxed, discussion-first evening. We welcomed around 30 guests who came to learn from two UX/UI guest speakers and meet other designers.

The format was straightforward: speaker introductions, Q&A with the audience, and time at the end to keep talking and network.

Guest speakers (as of the April 2023 event)

We hosted two Berlin-based professionals who shared their career journeys and answered audience questions.

Julianna Dmytryshyna: shared experience across User Experience, Visual Design, and Digital Illustration, with seven years of experience. With a background in Philosophy and Communications-Design, she has worked with companies and start-ups in Germany on user experience and visual identity.

Sreeja Revur: at the time of the event, worked as a Product Designer at Delivery Hero in Berlin. After moving from India to Germany in 2020, she switched from architecture to innovation design management, bringing design and psychology together in her work.

Who attended

The room included people at different stages. Some were exploring a career switch into UX/UI design, while others were already building their first portfolio and looking for direction.

That mix made the Q&A especially useful: beginners could ask tactical questions, while more experienced attendees could compare notes on roles, expectations, and real-world constraints.

What we discussed

Audience questions ranged from broad “how do I start?” topics to very specific career challenges. A recurring theme was how to gain experience ethically and build confidence without wasting time.

Here are some of the questions that stood out:

• What doubts come up during a career switch, and how do you commit to UX/UI long-term?
• How do you find real projects as a beginner?
• How common are unpaid internship offers, and what should you do when you get one?
• How many projects should a beginner include in a portfolio (on average)?
• What’s your process when starting a client project?
• How do you handle clients who arrive attached to a solution?
• How do you reframe experience when switching professions and feeling like you’re “starting from zero”?

Why UX/UI networking events still matter in 2026

Design tools and job titles change, but hiring still runs on relationships, clarity, and proof of work. A good networking event compresses weeks of “figuring it out alone” into a few hours of direct conversation.

It’s also one of the fastest ways to learn what the market actually rewards: how people describe their roles, what teams expect from juniors, and how designers present their work.

What you can realistically get from an event like this

Context: what different UX/UI roles look like in practice, not just in job descriptions.

Better questions: you’ll quickly learn what to ask mentors, interviewers, or hiring managers.

Momentum: It’s easier to keep building when you meet others doing the same work.

Opportunities: referrals and project leads can happen, but the most reliable win is a long-term connection.

How to make the most of a UX/UI Career Chat

If you’re attending a similar event in 2026, you don’t need a perfect portfolio to show up. You do need a clear goal and a small set of prepared prompts.

A simple checklist (works for beginners)

Bring a one-sentence intro: who you are, what you’re learning, what you want next.

Prepare 2 to 3 questions you genuinely need answered (portfolio, projects, interviews, specialisation).

If you have work to share, keep it lightweight: a single case study or a short walkthrough.

Follow up within 48 hours with a short note and a specific reason you want to stay in touch.

Start building your UX/UI career with Code Labs Academy

If you’re exploring a career switch or want structured feedback while building your portfolio, our UX/UI Design Bootcamp is designed to help you move from fundamentals to job-ready projects.

Learn more and apply here: UX/UI Design Bootcamp If you want to talk through schedules, learning paths, or financing options, reach out here: Contact an advisor

Code Labs Academy: supporting aspiring UX/UI designers through community events and practical training.