The demand for UX Researchers on the job market is growing, making the field of user research an attractive next career step for many UX designers. Still, there is no clear path of entry into the area, which is often considered inaccessible for those without a specialist HCI degree. This session offers one designer personal story of career shift from UX generalist role to full-time UX researcher position told through the lens of four mental models that aided that process. It not only made the career change possible but also helped thousands of other designers learn more about the field of user research.