Sisters of Code Brings UX/UI Career Inspiration to Siem Reap
- Sisters of Code
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
For the first time, the Sisters of Code community in Siem Reap came together for a special career-sharing session designed to help young women turn their digital skills into meaningful career opportunities.
On 30 August 2026, Sisters of Code successfully hosted “Designing Your Future – A Journey into UX/UI Career” at the USEA Career Center in Siem Reap, bringing together young women from the Employment Skills Program (ESP) 2026 and public students for a morning of career inspiration, practical insights, and conversations about their next steps into the technology sector. Among the 28 participants, 92% were female. This public session was made possible by the generous support of the Liechtenstein Development Service (LED).
The session was more than an introduction to UX/UI. It was an opportunity for students to look beyond the classroom and begin imagining what their future careers could look like.
From Learning Digital Skills to Building a Career
Through the Employment Skills Program, students have been developing practical digital and employability skills, including website development, UX/UI design and digital business. However, learning technical skills is only the beginning. For many young women preparing to enter the workforce, questions remain: What does a career in UX/UI really look like? What skills do employers expect? How can I build a strong portfolio? And how can I gain experience before landing my first job?
To help answer these questions, Sisters of Code invited Ms. Bopha SOKUN, Senior UI/UX & Product Designer, to share her professional journey and real-world experience with the students.
Drawing from her own career pathway, Ms. Bopha introduced students to the different roles within UX/UI and product design, the skills needed to succeed, and what it takes to move from being a learner to becoming a job-ready professional.
The discussion covered essential UX/UI skills such as user research, wireframing, prototyping, visual and interface design, design thinking, problem-solving, and tools such as Figma. Just as importantly, students explored the value of communication, teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking—skills that are essential in today’s technology workplace.
Think Like a UX Designer
The session also brought UX/UI concepts to life through a real-world case study and interactive activity.
Instead of simply learning about the UX design process, students were encouraged to think like designers themselves—starting with a problem, considering who the user is, understanding their needs, developing ideas, and thinking about how a digital solution could be improved through user feedback.
This practical approach helped students see that UX/UI is not simply about creating something that looks good. It is about understanding people, identifying problems, and designing solutions that respond to real needs.
Why Experience Matters
One of the key messages from the session was the importance of gaining practical experience before entering full-time employment.
Students were encouraged to see internships not simply as a requirement, but as an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge, experience professional workplace culture, work with real clients and teams, receive feedback from experienced professionals, build networks, and strengthen their CVs and portfolios.
For young women who are just beginning their technology careers, these experiences can become an important bridge between learning and employment.
Participants’ individual photos Participants’ individual photos Participants’ individual photos Participants’ individual photos
Creating Opportunities Beyond Phnom Penh
This session also marked an important milestone for the Sisters of Code community in Siem Reap, as it was the first time Sisters of Code organized this type of career-focused sharing session for its community in the province.
Bringing industry exposure and career guidance closer to young women outside the capital is an important part of creating more inclusive pathways into technology. By connecting students with professionals, career resources, and practical opportunities, we hope to help young women in Siem Reap see that a career in technology is not limited by where they live or where they begin their learning journey.
This would not have been possible without the support and collaboration of our partners.
Growing Through Partnership
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Liechtenstein Development Service (LED) for its continued support of the Sisters of Code Programs. This partnership helps create opportunities for young women to develop the digital, technical, and employability skills they need to confidently pursue their future careers.
We are also grateful to the USEA Career Center for partnering with us and providing a welcoming space for this meaningful session. The collaboration reflects the importance of connecting education, career development, and industry exposure to help young people make informed decisions about their future.
And, of course, our heartfelt thanks go to Ms. Bopha SOKUN for generously sharing her experience, knowledge, practical advice, and encouragement with our students. Her journey and insights gave students a valuable glimpse into the realities of working in UX/UI and the possibilities that await them in the technology sector.
The Journey Continues
A career does not begin with the first job. It begins with curiosity, learning, practice, and the courage to take the next step.
For the young women who participated in this session, we hope they left not only with a better understanding of UX/UI careers, but also with greater confidence to build their portfolios, seek internships, develop their professional networks, and take ownership of their career journeys.
At Sisters of Code, we believe that access to technology education should also open doors to opportunity. Through stronger partnerships, industry engagement, and career-focused learning, we will continue working to ensure that young women—wherever they are—have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to design their own futures.
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