Not Your Parents’ Career: Why Every Designer Needs a Plan B With Edward Chechique

This week, Edward Chechique joins me to discuss rethinking design careers, ditching outdated career advice, and learning how to survive (and thrive) in 2025’s chaotic job market. We talk layoffs, AI, content creation, side hustles, and redefining what it means to be a UX pro today.

What if your job title doesn't define your career? What if your "career" wasn’t the point at all?

We were told that if we worked hard, got good at UX, and built a solid portfolio, we’d be fine. But in 2025, none of that seems to be working. In this episode, I sit down with Edward Chechique to talk about what happens when the traditional path to career success just… stops working.

Edward has been laid off, ghosted, and judged by hiring managers who didn’t get it. So he stopped waiting. He built his own path—from writing and content creation to launching products and teaching others how to use AI to work smarter. This isn’t a fairytale story about becoming a millionaire. It’s about regaining your agency and deciding what you want from your career.

If you're tired of trying to fit into boxes that never seemed to fit quite right, this episode is your permission slip to stop waiting for the industry to come save you—and start building a version of success that actually works for you.

Topics:
• 02:46 - Redefining Careers in Design
• 03:17 - Interview with Edward Chechique
• 04:59 - Edward's Journey in Design
• 09:10 - Navigating the Job Market
• 13:32 - Adapting and Diversifying Skills
• 16:24 - Entrepreneurial Mindset and Self-Employment
• 27:10 - Challenges and Realities of Self-Employment
• 30:38 - Entrepreneurial Upbringing vs. Traditional Employment
• 31:55 - Navigating Financial Uncertainty
• 33:33 - Saving Strategies and Lifestyle Choices
• 38:49 - Cultural Shifts and Economic Impact
• 41:42 - Closing Thoughts

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Edward on LinkedIn
• Watch Edward on YouTube
• Follow Edward on Medium

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