Find out how we're tackling remote working, learn more about the scheme and hear from our current trainees about life at the Â鶹ԼÅÄ.

In the wake of the coronavirus, the world has changed immeasurably. For us at Â鶹ԼÅÄ UX&D, that's meant an overnight shift to remote-first work, lots of virtual coffee chats, and long conversations about how we keep bringing new talent in to the team.

Living through a pandemic is scary and stressful. But we also believe that hope and change have a really important role right now - and that's why we're continuing to recruit for our UX Design Trainee scheme as normal. No matter what your background, we'd love for you to apply!

We want you (yes you)! 🙌

Perhaps the current situation has made you re-evaluate your career dreams. Maybe you're finishing university this summer, and are worried about finding a job you love. Whoever you are, we want to hear from you - either via our social channels or by simply applying. We're not looking for loads of experience or specific training in UX, you'll learn loads as part of the scheme. Instead, we're looking for people who are super passionate about design, with tons of enthusiasm for tackling complex design challenges.

  You can apply for our Design Trainee scheme on the Â鶹ԼÅÄ Careers site (remember, applications
  close on the 31st May 2020). You can also ask questions using the hashtag
  [**#bbcdesigntrainees**](https://twitter.com/hashtag/bbcdesigntrainees) on Twitter at
  [**@bbcuxd.**](https://twitter.com/bbcuxd) or follow over on our
  [**Insta**](https://www.instagram.com/bbcuxd/) or
  [**Linkedin**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bbcuxd/) account.

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To give you a taste of life as a UX Design Trainee, we sat down to interview this year's cohort. They reveal everything from their top application tips to memorable moments, and their sometimes surprising journeys into UX. Over to them…

Christina 🌸

Christina graduated with a degree in Games Design and Production in 2019. She loves visual design, but believes you can't have great UI without UX. So she applied to the design trainee scheme, and is now on placement with the Â鶹ԼÅÄ's global design language (GEL) team. If you're completely new to UX, Christina has some wise words for you!

1. What's been the most memorable moment on the scheme so far?

Designing a new feature for a game and taking out a prototype to test was a dream come true. Coming from a games design course and getting to contribute to an existing game in my first placement was exciting.

2. And what's been the most challenging thing?

As a person with a visual design background, I struggle with UX theory. I tend to talk about how the design looks without stopping to look for the valuable insights that come with UX.

3. What would you say to others thinking of applying for the scheme?

Be yourself and don't be afraid to apply! Remember, it's not about what software you can use, but the ability to tell story through your successes and failures.

David �

David studied design at college and university, resulting in a varied portfolio including product and speculative design. Realising he put the user at the heart of every design decision, David applied to the trainee scheme as a chance to dive deeper into UX as a discipline.

1. So far, what's been the best thing about being a trainee?

I would say it's having a safe space to ask questions, be it to designers developers or product people, and having the ability explore the discipline and to identify your strengths and weaknesses. I really value being able to tailor my time as a trainee, so I can try new things out and develop as a designer.

2. And what has been your most memorable moment so far?

It would have to be when I was with Systems and Service Design (S&SD). As a team we took a trip to Birmingham within one of my first weeks, and I helped facilitate a workshop with a big group of people from HR. It was a tiring day, but extremely rewarding and insightful as well.

3. What would you say to others thinking of applying for the scheme?

In the words of Shia LaBeouf, just do it. Especially if you are looking to kick start your career in the creative industry, the Â鶹ԼÅÄ is the perfect place to learn. When it comes to showing why you should be on the scheme, it's not about the polished result, it's about how you got there. At the interview, be honest with what went well and what didn't, what you learned from it and how you coped with it.

Holly �

Holly studied psychology at university. She didn't want to become a psychologist, but quickly discovered UX described as "the cross between psychology, technology and design". She contacted some people in the industry, researched it more, and enrolled herself in a UX intensive course before applying to the Â鶹ԼÅÄ UX scheme.

1. So far, what's been the best thing about being a trainee?

You are not expected to know everything. It's a great opportunity to learn on the job and not feel bad about asking for help. In the first year you also have a pretty unique opportunity to work in four different products.

2. And what's been the most challenging thing?

Having come from a predominantly psychology background, I sometimes feel out of my depth since I am trying to pick up specific UX techniques and programmes as I go along. While everyone at the Â鶹ԼÅÄ is very understanding and helpful, it can sometimes be quite challenging.

3. What has been your most memorable moment so far?

I was in the Â鶹ԼÅÄ News team at the time of the Dec 2019 General Election. It was fascinating to see the preparation going into it, from designing the poll trackers, homepage charts and the designs for the live results that were projected onto the Â鶹ԼÅÄ building.

Jenna 🥕

Jenna started out working for a small streetwear company as a brand manager. She was soon tasked with designing and building the company website, which led her to explore UX design. Six months later, Jenna decided to go back to university to study digital interaction design. She knew she wanted to work in UX, but never expected to be at the Â鶹ԼÅÄ straight after graduating!

1. So far, what's been the best thing about being a trainee?

For me it has been the variety of opportunities available. We get support from both our line manager and mentor to find these and get involved. The best advice we got from the previous trainees was to "be a sponge" - so that's exactly what I've been trying to do!

2. And what's been the most challenging thing?

My first placement was in Voice & AI. As I joined, they were finishing up a remote working trial, which meant not meeting the majority of my team face to face for a few weeks. This gave me the opportunity to learn how to collaborate without the need to be in the same room, which has come in handy for the current situation!

3. What has been your most memorable moment so far?

I had the opportunity to do some community outreach as a mentor for InnovateHer at a local school (if you're wondering why I'm holding two pieces of bread in my photo!). We delivered a series of workshops to give the girls a taster of the design process. Each week seeing them grow in confidence has been amazing.

Joanne �

Joanne started out making simple websites in high school, and particularly enjoyed considering how the user interacts with the product. Fast forward a few years to a course at university on the fundamentals of UX design, and that's when she knew she wanted to work in this field.

1. What has been your most memorable moment as a trainee so far?

During my first placement in the New Experiences team, I worked on an educational AR app for kids. One of the researchers stopped by one day and showed me footage of the user testing sessions. Seeing the kids interact and have fun with an app I helped create was such a great feeling!

2. And what's been the most challenging thing?

I get attached to a project very easily, and when I do, I want to see it through to execution. As trainees, we rotate into new teams every three months, so this isn't always possible. But the rotations are also incredibly rewarding! You get exposed to such a wide range of people and projects, and I feel like I've already learned so much from every one of them.

3. What would you say to others thinking of applying for the scheme?

Be sure to include projects in your portfolio that you are passionate about. Once the interview comes around and you'll be asked to talk about them, your passion and enthusiasm will shine through, and I'm sure the rest will follow.

Lew 🤘

Lew's interest in UX began a few years ago, while working on project to observe and document life at a non-league football club. It was the first time he'd worked really closely with an audience (having worked alone as an illustrator previously), and he found his work to be far richer and more meaningful as a result. Shortly afterwards, someone recommended he looked into user experience design, and Lew's UX journey began!

1. And what's been the most challenging thing?

I'm naturally quite a quiet person, so speaking up in big groups has always been a struggle for me. When in workshops or ideation sessions, I know I'm potentially not showing how creatively I can think because I'm too focused on the speaking I have to do after. It's something I'm improving on and the culture here is the friendliest I've ever worked in, which makes it easier.

2. What has been your most memorable moment so far?

So far, it's been the creative collaboration day we did at a school in the local area. As part of developing ideas for a new app, we held a workshop with kids where we got them to come up with their 'dream library'. Some of the ideas were amazing and definitely inspiration for my own work.

3. What would you say to others thinking of applying for the scheme?

My advice when applying would be to be yourself. I don't come from a UX or even remotely 'techie' background, so don't try and portray what you think they want to see. When picking projects for you portfolio, make sure they've got a lot of depth to them so it gives you chance to show your process and important turning points. If you can explain where you have rectified a mistake or made a brave decision for a valid reason, that says a lot more about your capabilities as a designer than a perfect portfolio does.

Yan �

Yan's main interest is service design. She was drawn to the Design Trainee scheme by the emphasis on user research and idea generation.

So far, what's been the best thing about being a trainee?

The best part has been the opportunity to rotate between teams which I have worked on different projects to develop skills that I set out from the start of the trainee scheme.

And what has been your most memorable moment ?

Going back to my undergraduate course to talk to current students. It was great to see my tutors again and see what projects students are working on.

What would you say to others thinking of applying for the scheme?

Do it! There's more to it than the job description. For example, I had no idea that there was a 'New Experiences' team that takes on voice, AR and VR projects. There are loads of other perks, like lots of workshops and talks about topics beyond UX too!

The Â鶹ԼÅÄ UX&D Design Trainee Scheme is open for applications! Find out more about the scheme and apply on the Â鶹ԼÅÄ Careers site. Applications close on the 31st May 2020.

  ### Yours remotely,

  *The UX&D Trainees 🌟*