There is a time in every interior design students life when you start to get all jittery and nervous. Graduation is coming very soon for our spring seniors, and it is important to start the job search now.
If you are an interior design student getting ready to make the big trek out into the world, you need to be ready and equipped to handle the realities of practicing in this field. It isn't always pretty and it isn't always easy. In fact? It is hard work.
But the job search doesn't have to be a difficult one. If you are a member of one of the seven Tennessee student chapters, you have the world at your feet. Below are a few tips to help you make the transition and be ready to land your first job!
1. Ready your portfolio :: While it is important to be able to showcase your talents and design abilities on paper, it is equally important to showcase your knowledge of other skills such as the internet. As most firms feel as though they can do the interior design workload on their own without hiring new employees, having a grasp on blogging, photoshop, InDesign, and AutoCAD will lend new skills to the firm you are interviewing with. If you do not have a blog, start one. It's free, easy and show off your research skills and ability to communicate with the outside world. Be sure to include postings, any graphic work and CAD drawings in your portfolio.
2. Ready your warbdrobe :: While Ugg boots may be a staple for you in college, it isn't going to go over very well in the professional environment. Most employers look for a well coordinated overall style while in the interview process. You will be working with clients of all economic backgrounds, but you will need to be prepared to look your best. Just like the spaces you are creating.
3. Ready your goals :: Be prepared to have a direction you wish to go with a firm. Do your research on the firm. A lot of interior design firms have an online presence, but the overwhelming majority of them do not. But, utilize your mentors in ASID who are practicing to get feedback and information on any firms you may be interviewing with.
4. Talk with Industry Partners :: While they are a huge part of ASID, they are also the most knowledgable about how individual interior design firms work and function. Why? Because they are providing the wholesale goods and services to them. You have hopefully developed relationships with IP members during your time in the student chapters. If not, your professors will be able to help direct you into the right direction.
5. Start attending the district meetings :: This is imperative to landing the right job because you can interact and get to know everyone before you send out the first resume. Don't be afraid to stirke up a conversation with the members. They have all been in your shoes before.
Good luck on the job search and congratulations on taking the amazing journey through interior design education. The skills you have learned in school will give you the knowledge to succeed, and your ASID membership will only give you credentials as you work to build your business and rapport as a professional interior designer.
Congratulations!
The Tennesssee Chapter of ASID absolutely LOVES to see our members succeeding in the workplace. This is a great opportunity for all to see how crucial it is to have the right professional at the right time for everything to fit together. We hope you enjoy her story and congrats Karen!
Karen Kassen, ASID, CMKBD got the call from a friend that they needed a kitchen and needed it fast! A pipe had burst and was leaking under the slab in the kitchen area. They were a family of four with two small children and a very busy lifestyle.
They wanted to work with Karen to make wise decisions in a timely fashion and knew she had the experience and expertise to get the job done.
Since she had the opportunity to rework the existing kitchen, which desperately needed it, she recommended relocating every appliance. She also closed off a window, installed a new door, opened the kitchen up to a keeping room adding a peninsula with counter seating and enlarged a cased opening into the dining room to allow for extra natural light.
Results of the remodel: more storage, better function with a more open plan, and an added “eat-in area”. New appliances and cabinetry contributed to the function of the kitchen and efficiency of the layout. The clients now have extra cabinet space that is not even being used.
The project was completed in approximately 6 weeks with Karen’s company, Kitchens Unlimited in Memphis serving as the contractor providing a “turnkey” job.
Dear Design Professionals:
The MTSU Student Chapter ASID/IIDA would like to invite you to our 2010 Interior Design Student Showcase. At 5:00, we will kick off our event with our reception, student show and vendor exhibit. At 7:00, we will start dinner which is going to be a delicious stuffed chicken with all the works. At about 7:45, we have Cheryl Durst, Honorary FIIDA, LEED AP speaking. Then, we will celebrate our 5th Anniversary. So, please join us for a fabulous celebration and help blow out some candles!
The cost of the dinner is $25.00. Please, see the attached for additional details. Contact Amanda Sweeney at justdesignthis@yahoo.com or 615-578-4738 or myself at hilarywalkerdesign@gmail.com or 615-943-6306 to save your seat. We will need to receive checks, made out to MTSU ASID for $25.00, by February 17, 2010 to confirm your meal.
We look forward to seeing each of you,
Hilary Walker, Student Member ASID
MTSU Co-Event Chair
Our Student ASID Chapter at MTSU is busy prepping for their Student Showcase! If you haven't been to one? You should go. This is a great way to meet the talent and see the future of ASID with your own eyes.
Check it out, and if you go? Let us know how much you enjoyed it!
