Q: Sylvie in a Nutshell: Who is Sylvie?

I’m Sylvie (Thanh) Vu, originally from Vietnam. I’m a Business Information Technology (BIT) student at LAB University of Applied Sciences, and I’ve been living in Finland since August 2022. Before coming here to pursue my dream of working professionally in the User Experience Design field, I worked as a Graphic Designer in Vietnam. I’ve always been passionate about art and visual design, which inspired me to switch careers — from being an Assistant to C-level Executives to diving into the creative world of design. Beyond work and studies, I enjoy interior decoration, writing, reading, singing, playing piano, spending time in nature, and bonding with animals.

Q: How did you get into the UX field, and why does it fascinate you?

While working as a Graphic Designer and leading a team of four designers, I got the opportunity to contribute to a project for UNIQLO Vietnam, launching their new e-commerce app during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a fast-paced project since the priority was to push online sales quickly.

Even though I wasn’t specialized in UX at that time, I actively noticed some usability issues in the mobile and web applications. I worked with my team to compile feedback for the client, who didn’t have a dedicated UX designer on their team. They trusted us to flag these issues, which were then implemented into improvements. Seeing the app’s enhancements made me incredibly happy and sparked my curiosity about UX. I realized how impactful user-centered design can be, which led me to explore the field further.

Q: What specific projects did you work on as a UX Design trainee at Visma?

During my traineeship, I worked with the Tiima product development team. Tiima is a popular working time management application used by many companies.

One of my first major tasks was analyzing NPS feedback to identify improvement opportunities. Based on my findings, the team decided to focus on improving a specific area of the product. I facilitated stakeholder workshops, aligned teams through communication and collaboration, and helped shape a new process for how we work on UX improvements.

I also collaborated with the UX Lead of the Workforce Management product line to implement a new collaboration process. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, with stakeholders feeling more engaged and involved in solving problems.

Additionally, I contributed to developing the UX Audit Framework, a tool for identifying UX improvement opportunities across products in the Visma Aquila portfolio. This framework will guide product teams in identifying and reporting UX priorities to executives.

Q: What did your daily tasks look like as a UX Design trainee at Visma?

My days started with daily stand-up meetings with the development team, as we followed Scrum, an Agile framework. These meetings helped us stay updated on tasks and progress.

My main responsibilities included analyzing user feedback, identifying problems, gathering input from my mentors, leads, and managers, and organizing workshops or meetings to align stakeholders. Once a problem area was thoroughly defined, I moved on to brainstorming design solutions, creating prototypes, conducting usability tests, and iterating the designs based on findings.

One of the highlights of working at Visma was the endless learning opportunities. Whether it was through mentorship, Visma’s internal courses, or discussions with colleagues in the UX Community, I always had access to resources to expand my knowledge. There was so much to learn that my only worry was not having enough time to soak it all in! 😄

Q: Did you have mentorship or guidance during your internship? How did it help you?

Absolutely! The mentorship and guidance at Visma have been invaluable.

• My mentor, who is also the UX Lead for our product line, helped me navigate the complexities of working with Tiima’s stakeholders, technical constraints, and improvement strategies. His experience saved time and led to better outcomes for the team.
• My manager, the Design Lead, with her deep knowledge of large organizations, provided insights and advice that significantly accelerated my learning curve.
• The diverse UX community at Visma has been an incredible resource. I connected with two "buddies" who shared their expertise in areas I was curious about. The culture of learning and networking in Visma is phenomenal — it’s easy to find someone willing to help you grow.

As I mentioned earlier, the challenge isn’t finding opportunities to learn at Visma — it’s finding enough time to take advantage of all of them!

The culture of learning and networking in Visma is phenomenal — it’s easy to find someone willing to help you grow.

Q: What were some memorable moments or achievements during your internship?

As someone new to the UX field, one of my proudest moments was analyzing thousands of NPS feedback entries. I used a flexible, fresh approach to uncover clear insights that helped the team see the big picture. The results were well-received and highlighted the value of taking a strategic, user-centric approach.

This project also sparked my interest in product analytics, which I’ve since realized plays a critical role in identifying problems, measuring success, and evaluating new implementations. I’m incredibly thankful to my Lead, Manager, and the Tiima Project Manager for trusting me with this responsibility and supporting me throughout the process.

For those exploring UX, my advice is to remember that UX Design isn’t just about creating visually appealing designs. Even small product changes can impact costs, time, effort, and revenue, so UX involves a lot of collaboration, research, and strategic problem-solving.

Working with the Tiima team was one of the best parts of my traineeship. They welcomed me warmly and made me feel part of the team from day one. Through them, I learned a lot about Finnish working culture, communication styles, and even their lifestyle, which helped me adapt and improve my collaboration skills.

Working closely with the Tiima team gave me hands-on experience with real product development processes, problem-solving, and aligning with stakeholders — skills that are essential for becoming a solid UX Designer.

Q: Did you face any challenges during your traineeship? How did you overcome them?

One initial challenge was being the first non-Finnish speaker at Visma Aquila company. I was worried about cultural and language barriers since Finnish had been the main language of communication. However, my team quickly made me feel comfortable by speaking English and creating a welcoming environment.

One valuable lesson I learned is that it’s okay to have constructive discussions or even disagreements at work, as long as they are thoughtful and focused on achieving the best results.

Q: What do you like most about working at Visma?

There’s so much to love! I appreciated the freedom and trust I was given, which motivated me to perform at my best. The supportive environment, where mental health and employee satisfaction are prioritized, made me feel proud to be part of the team.

Lastly, I feel incredibly lucky to have had leaders who genuinely cared about my growth and well-being. Their encouragement and understanding made my journey at Visma an unforgettable experience.

I appreciated the freedom and trust I was given, which motivated me to perform at my best.

Q: Sylvie’s Tips for Aspiring UX Designers and Interns?

• Build a solid portfolio and CV: Make sure they’re detailed and ready to share when opportunities arise.
• Network: In Finland, networking is crucial, especially for entry-level positions. Be proactive but thoughtful in your approach.
• For career changers: Take time to understand the field and daily work of UX Design realistically. Also, reflect deeply on your own strengths, interests, and long-term goals to ensure the change aligns with your well-being.