Professional Practice for Interior Designers - Christine M. Piotrowski

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4‐2. Suggestions to assist students in the transition to professional

Talk to professionals who are doing the work you want to do. People love to talk about what they do and their work. Make appointments and come prepared with about 15 good questions to ask that will help you find out what it is like to work at a particular kind of company or in a particular type of design specialty.
Examine your motives and establish goals. Set goals that interest you. Think about what you want to do 2, 5, or 10 years from now.
Get involved with a professional association. Visit chapter meetings of the different organizations in your area. Students are always welcome. When you are sure about which one(s) you want to join, get involved. Volunteer for committees. It is a great way to get to know people in the business.
Begin to be a professional. One or two days a week—maybe for studio classes—dress professionally, as if you were going to the office. Get used to being dressed up. You will also likely feel more confident on those days.
Begin to work like a professional. Use a time management system of some kind. Treat the school day as a workday; that is, start the day at 8:00 AM and work until 5:00 PM.
During your internship:Don't play the critic. You are there to learn, not to criticize the company.Don't be lazy or blasé. If you want a good recommendation from this company, cheerfully complete all assigned tasks.Look for things to do or to help out as well.Ask questions. They expect you to ask questions.If you want to work for this company, show that you want to be there by doing all that is asked and then some.When you have nothing to do, look for or ask for something to do. Straighten catalogs or review samples and catalogs.You can learn a lot about current products by cleaning up the library from time to time.

      Leaving a current job voluntarily is certainly a solution when dissatisfaction occurs. Many designers have suffered through involuntary separation from a job due to the economy or for cause. Certainly, many wish to advance their careers doing what they are doing and/or stay with a particular company.

      When you accept a position with a company, do so with the expectation you are going to be there for a while. When you accepted the position, you should have had some idea of what the expectations would be. You should also have been made aware of responsibilities and even how long it might be before you would be given added responsibilities. These kinds of issues are discussed in Chapter 29.

      As an entry‐level employee, don't look down your nose at tasks that you feel are beneath you. As far as the company is concerned, you have the knowledge to be hired, but you may not yet understand how they do things. Keep your focus on learning everything you can about doing design in the professional opportunity you have chosen. Keeping your expectations in check will serve you well.

      Professionals need to continually examine how they are doing their jobs. Becoming more productive (yes, more productive) and staying interested in enhancing the company's reputation are two important keys to advancing your career. For the professional—whether entry‐level or experienced—simple things like coming in on time, volunteering to complete tasks others don't want to do, not complaining, and giving a positive impression of your company through your behavior are all important.

      Long‐term professionals must also look to enhance their careers through newer challenges that don't always involve bringing in new clients. Volunteering to work on committees of professional associations can help you meet influential people at the national level. Agreeing to critique student work or lecture to students adds to your apparent expertise. Being visible in the community by speaking to community groups about design topics of interest to the general public is also a great thing.

      Career advancement takes many forms and involves the topics in this book. You have to have an idea of what it is you want to accomplish in the interior design profession so that you can plan how to achieve your goals. Career advancement does not happen by treading water and just taking what comes as it comes. Although good things have happened to many professionals that way, the truly successful have had a vision and a plan.

      At some point, many interior design professionals start thinking about making a career change. I have encountered numerous senior designers who have left full‐time practice in order to teach at a university or community college. Other designers seek the possibilities of additional income by obtaining positions as sales reps with manufacturers and vendors. And, frankly, some leave the profession to do something out of the profession.

      There are many reasons why someone makes a career change after years in the profession. Some common reasons are:

       Lack of respect by boss

       Contributions to the firm are not valued TABLE 4‐3. Career advancement strategiesDevelop goals and a plan.Improve your professional skills, especially the technical ones related to execution of interior design projects.Obtain appropriate additional education, such as in codes, management, accounting, and marketing.Obtain credentials that enhance your expertise: NCIDQ certification, licenses, LEED® accreditation, CAP certification, and others.Become involved in a professional association for professional growth and professional networking.Seek out and join (or at least go to meetings of) professional associations or groups where your potential clients attend.Become comfortable speaking in public and/or speaking to strangers. Join groups like Toastmasters to help with this skill.Be positive and don't complain.Be dependable. Go above and beyond your expected responsibilities when practicable.Be a team player, not a prima donna.Leave your personal problems at home.If you are set on leaving, plan with money in the bank for expenses, an up‐to‐date resumé, and—once again—a plan.

       Lack of challenge

       Office environment has become difficult and overly stressful

       Work responsibilities have negatively affected personal life responsibilities

       Compensation has become stagnant

       No longer find the work interesting

      Not everyone develops these negative feelings. Most interior designers find the profession challenging and satisfying. Some stay with a single firm for many years, perhaps working their way up to management or partnership. Nevertheless, any job is stressful at times, and even when the economy is booming this profession can be very competitive.

      One day you may find that your current job does not suit your needs anymore. “You can come up with a million (untrue) reasons why you can't leave a situation you dislike. But when you deny reality (or the depth of your unhappiness), it has a way of catching up with you.”2

      Before you cut the cord and quit your job or close your studio, you had best think about what it is you still want to do and why you think you are dissatisfied. Lots of jobs require long hours. Lots of jobs are stressful. And in lots of jobs you have to work with (in some way or another) difficult people. It is critical that you assess your current situation at work, your skills, and your interests in new directions.

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