Laura Szumylo

Founding mentor

🎤 Host

UX Strategist & Advisor @ UX Gaps

Greater Boston Area New York (UTC-4) 5+ yrs in design

About

I'm a UX strategist with 7 years in the field, though I didn't come from a traditional design background. I started my career as a professional photographer, then moved through small business ownership, healthcare admin, and marketing before discovering UX design and realizing it tied everything I'd done before into this new path. I've mentored more than 200 aspiring designers and career changers over the past 5 years. I want you to feel comfortable bringing your best effort, asking the tough questions, and not being afraid of being wrong. I'll meet you wherever you're at and explain things however you need it, whether that's examples, talking it through, or showing you.

How I can help

For the past five years, I’ve mentored over 200 design students and career changers, helping them understand not just what to do, but why. I use real-world UX scenarios to help mentees build the strategic thinking and problem-solving skills they need to apply UX beyond the classroom. I help people transitioning into UX, breaking into the industry, improving and positioning their portfolios, and figuring out how to turn their experience into a stronger UX career. I also help UX professionals navigate career decisions, freelance and contract work, and the transition from hands-on design into more strategic work.

Ask me about

Pivot into design

First or only designer

Imposter syndrome

Craft to strategy

Getting passed over

Not the right mentor for: resume updates, interview prep, whiteboard challenges

A hard problem I've navigated

I had a client who was struggling to make decisions about her website. We were going back and forth on the visual direction—colors, typography, imagery, and overall style. Every time I presented a version, she'd find something she didn't like. I'd make changes, and then she'd want to go back to an earlier idea. She also wanted to get feedback from everyone she knew before making a decision. The problem was that everyone had a different opinion, which only made the decision harder. We were getting close to the point where the indecision was going to put the project deadline at risk. She needed to make a choice so we could move forward, but she couldn't. So I made the decision for her. I used my experience and UX judgment to choose the direction I believed worked best for the project, then explained why I was recommending it. Once I took that responsibility off her shoulders, we were able to move forward and keep the project on track. It taught me that part of being a UX professional isn't just presenting options. Sometimes your client needs you to use your expertise, make a recommendation, and give them the confidence to move forward.

Expertise

Group sessions Laura is hosting

Group sessions Laura has hosted

Freelancing vs Contracting What's The Difference?Oct 13, 202612 signed up

What mentees say

Designlab, checked by the Hop team. See it on Designlab ↗

Quotes from other platforms are shown as given and aren't part of this mentor's Hop record.

“Laura was an incredible mentor throughout my UI/UX journey. Her feedback was always thoughtful, actionable, and encouraging, which helped me grow both creatively and professionally. Thanks in large part to her guidance, I was able to land a role at a mid-sized digital agency while still in the program. I now get to work daily with designers, developers, and marketers in a field I truly enjoy.”
A mentee on Designlab · verified Sep 2026
“Very insightful and easy to talk to. Laura will challenge you in the best ways.” - Lily Scharf
A mentee on Designlab · verified Sep 2026
“I want to highlight the outstanding mentorship I received from Laura. She was consistently professional, supportive, and insightful. Her feedback was always constructive and encouraging, and she truly helped me grow as a designer. Working with her was one of the most valuable parts of the course.” - Andrii Petrenko
A mentee on Designlab · verified Sep 2026

Sessions

Intro ChatFree
30 min
This is a quick, informal 30 minute conversation where I'd love to learn about you, what you're working on, and where you're stuck. I'll share a bit about myself and how I might help, you'll leave knowing if we're a good fit to work together. No prep needed, just come as you are.
Let's Think It Through$85
60 min
Do you have a problem, a tough decision, or just something you need someone's opinion on? Whether it's a design question, career advice, or freelance guidance, this session gives you the space to think it through. You'll walk away with better clarity on your next step.
Honest Feedback, Fast$50
Async · video reply within a few days
Sometimes you just need a quick answer, not a full consultation. Submit your question, whether it's design feedback, a career question, or something you're stuck on, and I'll get back to you with clear, actionable feedback. No meeting required.
Breaking Into UX / Career Changer$85
60 min
Whether you're just starting to explore if UX is the right move for you, or you've already put in the work with courses, a portfolio and need help positioning yourself, this session meets you where you are. We'll dig into your background and transferable skills, what part of UX you're drawn to, whether that's research, design, or something more specialized, and where you currently stand with courses, case studies, and your network. You'll walk away with a clearer picture of where you stand, your target niche, and a realistic path forward.
Freelance Business: Where to Start$135
90 min
You've got the design skills, but running a freelance business is a different skill set entirely. This session walks you through the essentials: - Scoping a project so you know exactly what you're agreeing to - Pricing your work so you're actually making a profit - Talking about your rates and services with confidence, even without a mentor or team backing you up You'll walk away with a clearer picture of what running a freelance business actually involves, and where to focus first.

English

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