🧗 Climbing cringe mountain: Embracing personal brand with Anaïs Wittrock-Roske


Discover how Anais Wittrock-Roske, a former trauma nurse, leveraged personal branding to pivot into UX. Learn strategies for authentically showcasing your unique background and skills to stand out.

Can crafting an authentic personal brand transform your design career and open doors you never thought possible?

Ick. Cringe. Thirsty.

Those are just a few ways some might describe “personal brand.”

But is it really so bad?

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Are you letting other people decide your brand for you?

Just like with most things, it all depends on how you approach it. Sure, there are people that take it to the extremes, but unfortunately, most people don’t even try.

If you’re not actively curating how you want people to see you, they’re going to do it for you. And that’s leaving a whole lot up to chance.

This week, Anais Wittrock-Roske joins the show to talk about her own experiences transitioning from Trauma Nurse to UX designer.

In a field like medicine, your work often speaks for itself. Whether or not you’re doing a good job is pretty clear. It’s obvious, especially in an environment like an emergency room. There isn’t much need to promote yourself, and as Anais notes, it’s usually frowned upon.

But this industry is different. Your work doesn’t generally speak for itself, and if you’re not actively engaging and promoting your work, the chances are good it’ll be overlooked.

It took a mindset shift and a terrible interview early on for her to realize how important reframing and self-promotion were to making a successful pivot. This week, she talks about all the things she’s learned.

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🎯 Here are some key takeaways from our chat

1️⃣ Hiring managers are looking everywhere for talent: Cultivate a strong presence across various platforms and channels to increase your visibility and attract opportunities.

2️⃣ Before developing your brand, consider the legacy you want to leave behind: Use this long-term vision to guide your efforts. Make sure that every interaction aligns with your ultimate career goals and values.

3️⃣ How you present your ideas and work directly influences how it's perceived: Package your achievements and skills thoughtfully, considering your audience and goals, to make a lasting impression.

4️⃣ Treat your personal brand as a product you’re designing: Create a strategy, set clear goals, and measure the success of your efforts. Be prepared to pivot and adjust your approach based on your observed outcomes, just as you would with your UX work.

5️⃣ Focus on the value you provide through your brand: Instead of simply promoting yourself, work to contribute meaningful insights, share learnings, and engage with the community. This enhances your brand and creates genuine connections that can lead to career opportunities.


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🎙️ In case you missed them...

The Importance of Cultural Context with Ruby Pryor

Discover how cultural nuances shape user experiences and learn strategies for creating designs that resonate across diverse international audiences. Let’s dig into the nuances of designing for a global audience with Ruby Pryor, founder of Rex Consulting.

A Software Engineer’s Framework for Career Success

Dagna Bieda discusses her book “Brain Refactor” and how tech professionals can optimize their mindset for success. She explores common career obstacles and strategies for overcoming them.

Steering Your UX Career Across International Borders

Discover how to navigate the complex landscape of international job hunting. Joseph Mercieca shares invaluable insights on adapting your application strategy, portfolio, and interview techniques to different cultural contexts across Europe and beyond.


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Beyond UX Design's mission is to give you the tools you need to be a truly effective UX designer by diving into the soft skills they won't be teaching you in school or a boot camp. These skills are critical to your success.

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