Without accessible mentorship, first-generation professionals face barriers to career growth and advancement
Understanding the Problem
This project began with an exploration of professional development for first-generation professionals entering the workforce for the first time.
The concept focuses on how these professionals navigate unclear growth pathways, unfamiliar workplace norms, and limited access to mentorship.
Advanta brings mentorship, goal-setting, reflection, and career guidance into one centralized system, helping users gain clarity, build confidence in professional environments, and develop a clearer sense of career direction.
My Role
Lead UI & Brand Designer
My Responsibilities
Brand and UI Design
UI Design
Research
Dashboard Design
Type of Project
University Group Project
Platforms
Desktop Application
Timeline
14 Weeks
How might we create a supportive, structured system that helps first-generation professionals build confidence, understand workplace culture, and take intentional steps toward sustainable career growth?
Discovery
Primary research and market analysis were conducted to understand how first-generation professionals navigate early career environments and where existing systems fall short, revealing clear gaps, unmet needs, and opportunities for more effective support.
Surveys
Gathered insights (17 respondents) across industries including tech, environmental, government, creative, education, mental health, finance, and construction.
Competitive Analysis
Examined existing professional development and mentorship platforms to identify weaknesses, positioning opportunities, and unmet user needs.
Market Research
Explored the business landscape surrounding professional development platforms.
Surveys Findings
Limited Exposure and Lack of Professional Guidance
Many respondents felt capable but underprepared. Without professional role models or early exposure to workplace environments, they often relied on trial and error to learn expectations and prepare for full-time roles.
“Had to learn through trial and error”
"Felt out of loop before my university graduation"
“No professionals in my family”
"I wish we had to do more courses in my undergrad preparing us for our careers, looking for work, resume building and networking"
Unclear Expectations and Opaque Career Pathways
Career progression felt difficult to understand across multiple fields. Respondents described unclear expectations, inconsistent structures, and limited insight into what advancement looked like, which contributed to uncertainty and stress.
“Asked to do something as if it should be second nature”
“The path for career progression felt very unclear in my current field of work”
“I often was not at a high enough level to have understanding of business needs”
“It seemed impossible to know what to do or how to do it correctly because of poor organization and communication.”
High Demand for Practical, Mentor-Led Support
Mentorship consistently emerged as the most requested support system. Respondents emphasized wanting concrete guidance: real-world examples, shadowing opportunities, and clear explanations of day-to-day work.
“Mentors and champions”
“Mentors for skill development”
“Mentorship. Individual Career growth plan”
“Questions and answers from people in the field”
“A mentorship network or shadowing program"
“Peer to peer counseling”
Competitor Analysis
Existing Approaches to Career Development
Market research examined direct and indirect career development platforms to understand how mentorship and progression are currently supported, and where limitations remain for early-career professionals.
The Career Accelerators
A structured career development platform offering certifications, mentorship, and interview preparation.
Program-based model with significant financial and time commitment
Strong reviews for content quality and practical outcomes
UI feels outdated and support is limited to specific industries
Monday Girl
A professional networking community focused on leadership development for women and non-binary professionals.
High-cost, membership-based model with additional paid events
Polished, visually cohesive interface
User feedback raises concerns around declining value, exclusivity, and cost relative to benefits
Goodwall
A free, community-driven platform designed to support young people entering the workforce.
Focuses on visibility, challenges, and general career advice
Accessible, global platform with strong engagement
Limited structure for long-term progression or guided development
Fishbowl
An anonymous, peer-based platform for workplace discussion and advice.
Enables open conversation and professional connection
Inconsistent moderation and usability issues impact trust
Lacks tools for structured guidance or sustained career growth
Market Research
Understanding the Opportunity
Competitor analysis examined existing career development platforms to understand how mentorship, career guidance, and progression tools are currently delivered, and where gaps remain due to cost, accessibility, and lack of cohesive support.
Source: Mordor Intelligence, Global Professional Development Market Report (2025–2030)
Market Growth
The professional development market is large and expanding, reflecting sustained demand for career support tools.
Valued at approximately $57B in 2025
Projected to reach ~$73B by 2030
Growth driven by ongoing re-skilling and career mobility needs
Shifting demand
Industry trends show increasing demand for flexible, digital professional development.
Growth in remote and self-directed learning
Rising adoption of micro-learning and modular education
Increased interest in personalized, on-demand career support
Mentorship and progression
Professional development platforms increasingly emphasize mentorship and continuous growth.
Mentorship positioned as a high-value offering
Focus on ongoing learning rather than one-time training
Structured progression seen as a differentiator across platforms
Underserved audiences
Despite market growth, support remains unevenly distributed.
Few platforms are designed specifically for first-generation professionals
Many tools assume existing professional context or networks
Gaps persist between access to resources and meaningful career progression
Key User Needs Identified
Across primary research, market research, and competitive analysis, six core needs emerged: accessible mentorship and lived-experience guidance, clear career progression pathways, practical tools for tracking goals and progress, safe spaces to ask questions without judgement, real-world examples of workplace scenarios, and support navigating unspoken professional norms.
Business Strategy
Advanta was designed to address a gap in the professional development space, where early-career professionals often lack structured guidance, mentorship, and clear growth pathways. Instead of a traditional networking platform, Advanta was positioned as a career roadmap that combines mentorship, goal progression, and practical career education in one product.
Product Direction
Target Entry Strategy
To support adoption and credibility, the entry strategy focused on a freemium model that lowered barriers to access while enabling long-term growth through premium features and partnerships.
Partnering with universities and career centres
Early-access programmes for students and recent graduates
Community-driven credibility before broader market expansion
Marketing Direction
Marketing focused on authenticity and accessibility, avoiding corporate language or performative career culture. Campaigns emphasized honesty, realism, and support over prestige or status, targeting professionals aged 22–35, including recent graduates and early- to mid-career professionals.
Educational content positioning, highlight courses and mentorship access
Instagram Ads
Ads aligned with the target audience through course previews, mentor spotlights, and workplace scenario tips
Practical career education
Real-world workplace scenarios and guidance focused on day-to-day professional navigation
Information Architecture
Advanta’s structure prioritised clarity, progression, and ease of navigation through a goal-first approach to career development. For the minimum viable product, my team and I focused on four core features.
Dashboard
Central hub for daily interaction, showing key goals, progress visuals, and immediate actions.
Goals
Dedicated space for viewing, managing, and updating active and completed goals.
Mentorship
Access point for browsing mentors and managing scheduled sessions.
Learning
Resource area for educational content aligned with user goals and skill development.
Task Flows
How Users Move Through Advanta
Advanta was structured around three primary user actions that support career progression and daily momentum.
Design
Advanta’s interface was designed to feel clear and purposeful, supporting focused career planning without visual overload.
Wireframes
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Description about these here
