Feeling Unfulfilled in Tech? Why UX Designers Are Looking Deeper

Lately, I've noticed a growing sentiment within the UX and broader tech community: an increasing number of us are feeling unfulfilled in our work. I've seen it in designers I mentor, encountered it through posts right here on LinkedIn, and heard it in candid conversations with peers who've expressed a deep desire for their work to feel more meaningful.

Why is this happening now?

It's tempting to point fingers at external factors—economic shifts, industry layoffs, or even the aftereffects of the pandemic. But I believe there's a deeper, internal transformation happening. We're starting to ask more from our careers than stability or status; we're seeking purpose and authenticity. Many of us entered the field inspired by the potential to impact lives positively, yet find ourselves distanced from that ideal amid the pressures of rapid delivery cycles, shifting business priorities, or projects that don't resonate with our values.

This gap between our core personal values and our day-to-day work can lead to feelings of disconnection and dissatisfaction.

So, how can we, as designers, navigate this?

I think the solution begins with clearly understanding and reconnecting with our personal values—mine include authenticity, compassion, presence, peace, courage, and joy. By anchoring our decisions in these values, we can better evaluate the roles and projects we take on, and seek out environments and opportunities aligned with what genuinely matters to us.

Practically, this might mean advocating for projects that align with your passions, speaking openly about your values with your team and managers, or even considering roles that offer more opportunities to engage with meaningful, impactful work.

We're at an interesting inflection point. By consciously aligning our professional paths with our personal values, we don't just find greater fulfillment—we create a ripple effect, empowering our peers and teams to also pursue work that truly matters.

Have you noticed this trend as well? I'd love to hear how you're navigating it.