Marilyn, the daughter of Ukrainian refugees, graduated from the University of Oregon’s Clark Honors College with plans to assist international students in adapting to higher education in the U.S. She pursued this goal at the University of Washington, where she earned her master’s degree and worked with international students before being recruited to support the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program as a program manager.

In late 2022, Marilyn was affected by tech industry layoffs. Undeterred, she used this as an opportunity to reassess her career path. Determined to find fulfilling work, she enrolled in a User Experience (UX) Design bootcamp and studied instructional design. She began applying for roles in her new field, and within months, she was hired by Comcast as an instructional designer.

As Marilyn continued to enhance her skills in design and technology, she transitioned to a visual designer role earlier this year. Working fully remotely, she now helps lead the design and user experience of digital learning products, websites, and applications for Comcast employees, and creates visual assets such as logos and graphics. Additionally, she serves on the leadership board for Comcast’s Women’s Network and is a member of the committee that spearheads AI initiatives at the company.

Q&A with Marilyn

"Throughout college, I was often at a crossroads because my parents had envisioned a traditional career path for me as a lawyer. I wish I would have been able to tell myself earlier, 'It’s okay to take another path. Go and take that design class at UO. See if you like it.' Because I never even gave myself a chance.

What I’ve learned is that it’s never too late to pivot. Once you’ve started down a certain career path, it can be easiest to just keep going and stick with it. And that works out for some people. But for me, when I hit rock bottom, I found the strength to push myself to keep going. I took the initiative to start again in a new field, while still leveraging the skills and knowledge from my previous work."

"As an undergraduate, I didn’t realize the importance of networking within the corporate world to achieve success, nor did I understand how much company cultures can differ. However, once you grasp these concepts, everything becomes much easier, and you gain confidence in your communication and rapport-building skills. Additionally, learning how to interview effectively is crucial, as it helps you present your skills and experiences in the best light. These soft skills are rarely discussed, but they are essential for career building."

"In today’s job market, you need to be more competitive than just polishing your resume, writing a cover letter, and applying. Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals who are already in the roles and companies you aspire to join. Rather than asking for a job, focus on building rapport and becoming their mentee. By learning from these individuals and gaining their support, you can significantly enhance your chances of success."

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