
Fiona Bui: From a New Country to a New Career
I never felt held back
Moving to a new country always presents a unique set of challenges, from massive undertakings like learning a new language, to more fun tasks like understanding the transport system. For Fiona, who relocated from Ukraine to the UK, navigating the job market was a significant hurdle she wanted to overcome quickly. The unfamiliar communication styles and recruitment processes left her feeling uncertain about how to best showcase her skills and secure a fulfilling role. It was this desire to bridge the gap and build her confidence that led her to discover the Click Start programme.
“When I moved from Ukraine to the UK, finding a job wasn’t easy. Everything felt so different: the culture, the way people communicate, even how the job hunt works. I often felt unsure about how to approach things.”
The Click Start in Creative Digital Skills at Bath Spa University course provided Fiona with a welcoming environment where she could thrive. She found the atmosphere to be incredibly supportive and inclusive, which was crucial as she was learning in a non-native language.
“What stood out to me was the supportive and inclusive atmosphere. Even though English isn’t my first language, I never felt held back.”
The programme focused on developing both the technical and soft skills essential for the creative industries. It also had a particular emphasis on building a professional online presence and networking effectively. Fiona found this invaluable.
“Learning how to network effectively (especially through LinkedIn) was a real turning point in my confidence and career readiness.”
Fiona’s newfound confidence and skills quickly made an impression on potential employers. realityhouse, a creative and digital agency based in Bath specialises in clients within the professional services and technology sector. They needed additional support on web and UX design for upcoming projects, and that’s when they met Fiona. Fiona’s design knowledge and evident ambition shone through in their initial meeting, so realityhouse decided to offer her a freelance contract.
“We were impressed by her design knowledge and ambition so arranged a freelance contract shortly afterwards. We engaged Fiona on a freelance basis to provide design services for a range of digital projects at realityhouse, including for a leading property firm and a popular stationery company.”
George Thomas, Digital Lead at realityhouse, said that Fiona consistently delivered high-quality design work across all projects, always exceeding expectations. Her contributions have not gone unnoticed by clients either, with them specifically praising her attention to detail and innovative approach to tasks. realityhouse has observed Fiona’s growth in both confidence and technical skills, attributing this development to the solid foundation provided by the Click Start programme.
“Fiona has provided a consistent level of quality design work on all projects and has received glowing feedback from clients who have specifically highlighted her work.”
The experience Fiona gained at realityhouse and with Click Start served as a powerful launchpad for her career. She also secured another internship with a leading creative agency in Bristol, which she completed alongside her freelance work with realityhouse. These opportunities allowed her to build a strong professional portfolio and expand her network.
Today, Fiona is now excelling as a Midweight UX/UI Designer at a nationwide company, a testament to her hard work and her dedication to her craft. She says:
“I’d absolutely recommend Click Start to anyone looking to break into the digital and creative industries, especially if you’re facing barriers or starting fresh in a new environment. It’s a programme that genuinely opens doors.”
The guidance and support Fiona received from Click Start has been instrumental in her career journey. Working alongside realityhouse and other industry leading employers on diverse projects has helped expand her expertise and refine her design capabilities. In just a year and a half, Fiona has gone from being unsure of how to approach the UK’s job market, to taking full control of her future.
Learn more about how Click Start could be right for you.
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