I was offered the chance to work as a UI Designer. I have always been very interested in design. I study software engineering and i currently work as web developer with ruby on rails (backend & frontend). I don't know which option is the best for my career: stay in my current job or start this one. What do you think? What would you do?
It all starts with what you really want: do you want to stick to coding or do you like design better?
I've actually transitioned a bit as well, but it came more naturally then I expected. I've been making HTML/CSS/JS since the beginning of my career and design has always been an interest of mine. However, after doing this for 15 years (Photoshop > HTML/CSS/JS), I felt like I needed to widen my skills and perspective, so I've found a job as UI designer as well (I use the term Front End Designer). Basically I think of a design in my head and code that directly in HTML/CSS. No Photoshop needed, plus I get a working prototype directly.
But like I said: It's all about what you want mostly. And it depends on how long you've been doing this for. If you just started your career, I'd say stick with it for now. Learn all the design stuff on the side and if you really want to become a UI Designer, you can find a job like that. :)
On the money side of things: real designers who just do Photoshop/Illustrator do get paid less, but a Front End Developer who can design... that's pretty new in this field I think, so you might get paid as a developer. For me, I get paid along the lines of a regular Front End Developer, so no decrease in pay for me. :)
And take all the points of @bmlyon in consideration.
The worst thing that could happen is that a UI designer position is not for you after all, but then you could get back into a Ruby job anyway. It's not bad to give it a go.
I've actually tried to be a project manager for two months. It was interesting as hell, working for one of the top design bureaus in the Netherlands, but it just wasn't for me (mostly due to lack of experience). It didn't work out, found a new job within a month.
Developers are in high demand now anyway, so the risk is quite low.
Good luck with deciding! :)
Why don't you change from ruby to javascript (nodejs, reactjs, ES6, ES7) then you could have time to study or work as UI Designer.
Brandon
Frontend Developer
Some things to think about: (This advice is relative to the USA. YRMV.)
People with experience in multiple skills are more desirable to hire and have more job options.
If you are not happy with your current position and management is not willing to help you fix that, then a new job might be the answer.