Work with
Denisa
HEY THERE! I’M DENISA.
I'm a practicing UX Designer — which means when we work together, you're getting advice grounded in what's actually happening in the field, not recycled career advice from five years ago.
I've coached career switchers from a wide range of backgrounds into UX and UI design roles. I know how to help you see the value you already bring, close the gaps that matter, and land interviews.
2017-Now
My not-so-straight path into UX
2017
Materials Science & Engineering grad
Started my career at a composite manufacturing plant. I knew how to solve problems — I just didn't feel connected to the work.
FIRST REAL JOB
2018
Back to grad school
Went back for a Master's, hoping that specializing in composites would help me find my passion. It didn't.
SEARCHING
2019
All the personality tests
Took every career assessment I could find trying to figure out where I belonged. Still felt stuck.
SEARCHING
2020
Consultant at BART
Finished my master's as COVID hit and landed a consulting job at the SF Bay Area Rapid Transit District through a grad school connection. It wasn't UX — but it was the first time I started noticing broken systems and asking why they hadn't been fixed.
THE SPARK
2021
A comment that lit the fuse
My mom casually pointed out that I'd always been obsessed with psychology. That one comment changed everything. I discovered UX design and enrolled in CareerFoundry's bootcamp — studying after work, throwing myself into the field.
THE PIVOT BEGINS
2022
Applying. And applying. And applying.
Started applying to UX roles — and hit a wall. I had real experience, just not in the format hiring managers wanted. I didn't know how to tell my story. I looked for a roadmap. I didn't find one. So I started building my own.
THE HARD PART
2023
Redesigned a system at BART — and advocated for it
Noticed a real need for UX at BART and started redesigning the System Access process. Championed the work, tested it with real users, and found people who cared. That opened the door to a new role.
BREAKING THROUGH
2024
Performance & Innovation team — and Pivot
Joined BART's Performance & Innovation team to improve digital (and other!) internal processes. And started Pivot — to share everything I learned along the way, and help others make the same transition without having to figure it all out alone.
BUILDING
Now
Coaching. Designing. Building.
Coaching career switchers, building the roadmap I wish I'd had — and the community to go with it.
GROWING
Is This You?
You're changing careers and UX is where you want to land. You're motivated — but overwhelmed by where to start, unsure if your background transfers, and tired of spinning your wheels on your own.
Sound familiar? That's exactly who this program is built for.
You're ready to break into UX design.
If you're switching careers and setting your sights on UX or UI design, this is your program. Together, we'll go from "I think I want to do this" to a portfolio, a brand, and a job search strategy that actually works.
what we'll work on together
Eight sections covering every part of the job search — so you're not piecing together advice from YouTube, Reddit, and strangers on LinkedIn.
You already have more UX-relevant skills than you think. This section helps you take stock of what you actually bring to the table — so you can stop second-guessing yourself and start building from a solid foundation.
Figure out which roles are realistic, which are a stretch, and where your background gives you an edge. You'll leave with a clear picture of where to focus your search and why.
Getting noticed is less about listing what you've done and more about framing it for the role you want. You'll build a resume and cover letter that connect your experience to what hiring managers are actually looking for.
Most hiring managers look you up before they ever respond to an application. This section gets your profile working for you — showing up in searches, telling the right story, making a strong first impression before you've said a word.
Your portfolio's about page is often the first thing a hiring manager reads. This section helps you write it — and define the personal brand that ties your whole application together.
No design experience? No problem. You'll learn how to build case studies from real projects — even if they're small, self-initiated, or from a completely different field.
Most jobs aren't filled through job boards. This section gives you a practical strategy for building relationships, reaching out to the right people, and getting on hiring managers' radar before a role is even posted.
Landing your first official design project can feel like a catch-22 — you need experience to get experience. This section breaks that cycle with practical ways to build your portfolio with real, credible work.
what's Included
One coach. One program. A clear path from where you are now to a UX role you actually want.
One 1:1 call per section — book it yourself once you've finished the material. No scheduled pressure, no awkward "did you do the homework" moments.
Workbook-based lessons covering everything from clarifying your direction to building your portfolio, LinkedIn, and job search strategy. One section every 1–2 weeks; most students finish in 10–12 weeks.
Resume templates, LinkedIn frameworks, portfolio guidance, outreach scripts, and more — ready to use, not starting from scratch.
You're not working with a career generalist. Denisa and Tim are active designers who know what hiring managers are actually looking for right now.