Author :
Mission Ready
Design and Content Manager at MEGA
At Mission Ready, we are excited to introduce Viktoria Semina as our UX Design Trainer, a seasoned industry professional with a unique and inspiring career journey. From her early days as a musician to her transition into sociology, marketing, and eventually UX design, Viktoria’s path is a testament to the power of adaptability and continuous learning. Her story is one of transformation, curiosity, and a relentless pursuit of improving digital experiences for people everywhere.
Viktoria’s journey into tech was anything but linear. Originally, she envisioned a career in music—singing in choirs, playing guitar and piano, and performing in bands. But as she reached high school, she realised that making a living in music would be challenging, prompting her to explore other passions.
“I looked at all the subjects I enjoyed and realised I was drawn to human sciences, which led me to study sociology,” Viktoria shares. She completed a bachelor's degree in sociology, followed by a master's, developing a deep understanding of human behaviour.
Her first step into the professional world was through marketing and market research, where she spent five years helping major brands like Coca-Cola understand consumer needs. This work laid the foundation for her UX career, as she became skilled in user research, interviews, and uncovering what people truly wanted from products and services.
While working in market research, Viktoria was drawn to the digital space. She experimented with innovative methods, such as online focus groups, social media monitoring, and even neuroscience-based research. As UX began to emerge as a distinct field, she attended tech meetups and quickly recognised the overlap between her expertise and the world of UX design.
“I realised that UX was essentially what I had been doing all along—understanding people, identifying their pain points, and creating solutions that worked for them,” she explains. “The only thing I needed to learn was the technology.”
This discovery led her to pivot into UX research, and she soon landed a job in e-commerce before making the bold move to New Zealand.
The transition into the tech industry wasn’t without challenges. “At first, I couldn’t understand what people were talking about because of all the jargon,” Viktoria recalls. “Even though they were speaking my first language back in Russia, the terminology made it feel like a foreign world.”
Despite this, she persisted, learning everything she could about UX and design. Within a short time, she secured a role as a UX researcher at New Zealand Post. Over the years, she expanded her expertise, taking on UX design responsibilities and ultimately becoming a manager at Mega, where she leads a design and content team.
“I’ve always been about learning new things, pivoting when needed, and staying open to where the industry is heading,” she says.
As the UX trainer for Mission Ready, Viktoria is passionate about shaping the next generation of UX professionals. She believes that what sets the programme apart is its hands-on, collaborative approach.
“This isn’t a typical online course where you just watch videos. Our programme is interactive, with real-time collaboration, peer learning, and live feedback,” she explains. “The group activities, discussions, and show-and-tell sessions help candidates build confidence in presenting their work, which is crucial for designers.”
Additionally, candidates gain exposure to working with developers, preparing them for real-world collaboration. “Many UX courses don’t offer this, but we make sure our candidates experience what it’s like to work on a cross-functional team from day one.”
Viktoria has been closely following advancements in AI and its impact on the UX field. While AI tools have revolutionised some aspects of content generation and customer support, she believes they still have a long way to go in replacing traditional UX design processes.
“AI can help with small tasks like generating quick design concepts, but it’s not yet capable of replacing the full creative and strategic thinking that UX designers bring,” she notes. “What I’d love to see is AI automating the tedious parts of design—like alignment, spacing, and basic layout adjustments—so designers can focus more on creativity and problem-solving.”
Her advice to aspiring UX designers? Stay curious and adaptable. “AI is evolving rapidly, and it’s essential to keep up with trends. Even if AI doesn’t replace UX roles entirely, it will change the way we work. Those who embrace new tools and ways of thinking will stay ahead.”
Viktoria believes that success in UX isn’t just about technical skills—it’s also about mindset.
“Our programme is intense and requires commitment, and the best candidates are the ones who embrace the learning process with an open mind. Employers value hard work, adaptability, and a growth mindset just as much as technical ability.”
She also encourages UX professionals to be open to exploring different areas. “UX is such a broad field, and being flexible can open up new opportunities. Whether you start in research, design, or strategy, there’s always room to grow and pivot.”
One of the most valuable aspects of Mission Ready’s programme is the mentored work experience, giving candidates hands-on exposure to real projects.
“It’s a crucial step in bridging the gap between learning and the workplace,” Viktoria explains. “It helps candidates see the realities of working in a company, including the constraints and challenges that come with it.”
She also believes that integrating mentees into existing design teams more deeply could enhance their experience even further. “Many candidates thrive when they have experienced designers to learn from. The more opportunities they have to engage with teams, the better prepared they’ll be for their careers.”
For those considering a career in UX, Viktoria’s story proves that there’s no single path to success. With a programme designed to give real-world experience, industry mentorship, and hands-on learning, Mission Ready provides the perfect platform to launch a UX career.
“If you’re thinking about UX, just go for it,” Viktoria says. “It’s a dynamic, ever-evolving field, and there’s always something new to learn. The key is to stay open, adaptable, and ready to grow.”
Ready to take the leap into UX? Join Mission Ready’s UX accelerator and learn from industry leaders like Viktoria, who are shaping the future of design and technology.