Summary
DesignOps as a discipline offers career opportunities for people of many different backgrounds. This is true even for those who are just getting started and may have little to no professional experience. At Salesforce, we create unique opportunities to support, inspire, and guide new employees towards meaningful DesignOps careers. In this talk, we’ll share our experiences and best practices for newcomers, including a special look at our DesignOps internship program.
Key Insights
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Design Ops teams are growing across industries with significant demand for new practitioners.
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Over 60% of Design Ops roles are senior, while junior roles account for only 1%.
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Teams should not limit hiring only to experienced candidates; fresh perspectives are valuable.
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Training junior practitioners can expand the talent pool and promote the Design Ops discipline.
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Support roles such as internships or entry-level jobs help fulfill business needs while developing skills.
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Leadership should actively prepare for new hires by ensuring resources and training are in place.
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Creating connections through mentoring can enhance growth opportunities for new employees.
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Projects should align with business needs while also providing growth opportunities for juniors.
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Encouraging professional networking among new practitioners can lead to career advancements.
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Positive onboarding experiences involve celebration and openness within the team.
Notable Quotes
"Design Ops teams exist in nearly all industries and for all design functions."
"We as leaders chose to invest in training from the ground up."
"Junior practitioners can bring in fresh perspectives and new ways of thinking."
"Growing talent is truly an investment and requires a level of time commitment."
"Celebrating a new employee's arrival sets a positive tone for their experience."
"This program gave me a foundation of where I wanted to go in my career."
"I wanted to grow new skills and design, and I was able to learn exactly that."
"We learned so much from new practitioners and their perspectives."
"It's okay to try something and realize it might not be a fit for you."
"We are not doing this alone; we've received support to source new talent."
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