Interior design internships are like other internships, some paid, some unpaid, and they are all beneficial. Here are 9 Tips for Interior Design Internships, as you search for those sometimes-elusive design opportunities. Many of these tips are profitable for you to incorporate now as you will use them when you begin working with clients.
Be respectful and polite. Email is acceptable. Don’t send your entire portfolio on the first email. A perspective, a floor plan with elevations, and perhaps your headshot should suffice. Texting isn’t acceptable for first inquiries. Phone calls are hit or miss but another good approach. Know your audience. Know their business hours and communicate within them. It is rude to approach a more seasoned designer or elder by their first name, especially from younger persons. Address them properly, and if they permit you to address by first name, then do so. Use your good manners and etiquette. And if you’re in the South like I am, we still love to hear a “Yes, Ma’am.” Prioritize eye contact, firm handshake, polite demeanor and confident answers.
Be insightful. Inquire as to “What may I do for you?” rather than “What can you do for me?” Most people seeking internships have some education but lack real-world design experience. You are presuming upon the kindness of the person hiring you to take you under their wing and patiently guide you in real world scenarios. They are doing you a favor unless you come to them with income generating possibilities. Research potential firms and figure out how you can be a benefit to them. What skills do you possess that perhaps they do not?
Be patient. Most interior designers are small 1-3 person firms. An intern is a time and energy consuming responsibility. Sole proprietors wear all the hats, they secure clients, negotiate contracts, handle the accounting, project management, place orders, receive items, schedule installations, visit job sites, meet with trades, and yes, do some design. It is overwhelming. Understand that you can fit in the process but also do your research to find out what is involved in running a small business. Larger design firms and commercial firms seem to be able to absorb interns more easily. Architects, building designers, general contractors, can also be good sources of internships.
Be mindful of your appearance and vocabulary. Your social media, posts, photos, etc. are available for all to see, forever. And yes, we look. Dress professionally to the best of your ability. When working in an office setting, meeting real clients, or visiting job sites, you are representing the firm. You have one chance to make a good first impression. Visible tattoos, too many piercings, disheveled attire, poor vocabulary, cursing, slang, chewing gum, poor hygiene, distractions by cellphones…all of it impacts your impression.
Be punctual. Follow up on your inquiries and if you promise further communication, you must deliver and deliver on time. If you secure an internship, being punctual on deadlines is even more critical.
Be creative. In the world of design, interior designers are only one potential source of internships. It is worth your time and investment to seek internships in related fields such as: a plumbing showroom, tile showroom, slab yards, flooring showrooms, drapery workrooms, lighting showrooms, automation showrooms, upholsterers, wall coverings showrooms, fabric showrooms, window covering showroom, cabinet shops, furniture showroom, design centers, and even manufacturer’s representatives. You may find that you enjoy one particular portion of our industry even more than design itself. Contact design associations as they often have job postings, job boards, and even student representatives to their local chapter boards. NKBA, The National Kitchen & Bath Association is one such organization. Attend chapter meetings usually for FREE, pass out your cards and meet potential internship opportunities and future employers. These associations often conduct student focused events like portfolio reviews, mock interviews and the like. Be on the lookout.
Be knowledgeable. Research interior design laws in the state you hope to work. In 48 states in the USA, you do NOT need an interior design certification of any kind to practice residential or commercial design. In only Nevada and Louisiana (DC and Puerto Rico) you may not practice in a commercial space without certification. In 18 states, there is only a voluntary registration which means you may register with the state regulatory board if you wish to use a protected title to refer to yourself. Some schools require you to take an internship under the supervision of a “certified/registered” interior designer, which are much fewer in number than the whole population of interior designers. Additionally, when design laws were passed, applicants did not have to possess ANY interior design qualifications to become “certified/registered”. Therefore, your supervisory designer may very well be less qualified than you are as a college student. See my blog post here: https://www.kelleybarnett.com/post/texas-interior-design-laws.
Be grateful. Handwrite a thank you note. Not an email. Not a text. An old-fashioned handwritten note is best, and it indicates that you took of your time, appreciate the communication, and sets you apart from all the rest. This is a great habit to establish going forward in your career as you should do this for your clients and employers later, not to mention family!
Be steadfast. Don’t give up. Life isn’t often easy. Work hard. Keep the faith. We’ve all been in your shoes. The day after I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with my design degree, I borrowed a deck of mini blind and carpet samples and started knocking on builder’s trailer doors. (Not recommended these days.) I had NO idea what I was doing, but I knew I never wanted to work for anyone else. If you have the same entrepreneurial bent, then I strongly suggest taking lots of business, marketing, psychology, accounting classes and go for it! It can be a hard luck lesson and energy draining path, but it is also rewarding, exciting and profitable. There’s nothing like being your own boss. Either path is wonderful. You can do this!
Happy designing- Kelley Barnett, NCIDQ, CMKBD
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