I got into user-experience design last July, and I dare say I would have become a millionaire if I received 100 dollars every time I signed up for an expensive bootcamp that promised to turn me into a product-design master in just six weeks. I truly wish that were true, but it is not. These bootcamps often sell a dream that leaves many students disappointed when their expectations are not met.

Becoming a true professional requires hard work and time, and I remind myself of this every day. As someone with no formal educational background in design, I always look for opportunities to access structured learning in ways that fit my reality. One method that has helped me is asking ChatGPT to recommend YouTube videos on the topics I want to learn. I then create playlists on YouTube or in my notes, which gives me a sense of order and structured progression even when learning independently.

Another step I took was applying to organisations that collaborate with Grow with Google. I am currently a participant in the She Code Africa × Grow with Google programme, and I am grateful for the opportunity. This experience gives me a structured and grounded way to strengthen my core skills, especially the basics, rather than relying on quick courses that promise unrealistic transformation. It is a much more honest and sustainable way to grow.

I believe education can be fast, but it can also be slow, and everyone deserves to learn at their own pace. A six week bootcamp can introduce you to UX concepts and design tools, but in my experience, it does not give you the depth or confidence you truly need. I once applied for a three week bootcamp, and I was even the class rep, yet I still did not gain much from it. What it did give me was exposure to Figma, but exposure alone is not enough to build a solid career.

Design education can be expensive, which is why getting access to free or affordable programmes through NGOs like She Code Africa can make a real difference. I will always choose structured learning over quick learning. Hopefully, one day I will be able to afford a master’s degree in user experience design, but until then, I will keep pushing forward and learning at my own steady pace.

Becoming a UX designer is a journey and not a sprint. Quick bootcamps promise shortcuts, but real mastery requires consistency, reflection, and patience. Structured learning and honest self-assessment have shown me that slow and steady growth builds a stronger foundation than any fast track ever could.