2023 SHIFT Student Conference

Feb 28, 2023 By Laura Botham

Lead. Inspire. Grow. Unite.

By Laura Botham Feb 28, 2023

Published in Articles

When we think about the future of design and what our workforce will look like in years to come, it’s important to consider just who it is that will make up our workforce. The students of today are the new innovators, thought leaders, and decision makers of tomorrow and supporting their growth is critical to our collective futures.

In its 23rd year, IIDA Texas/Oklahoma’s SHIFT Student Conference is an enriching two-day opportunity for students to meet with educators and industry professionals to gain exposure to the industry through education, networking, and programming. SHIFT provides students with a memorable and educational experience and for participating professionals, an opportunity to be of service guiding students as they shift from their school careers to their professional careers.

This year, SHIFT was held in person at the Statler Hotel in downtown Dallas, and featured project and firm tours, educational sessions, a student design charette, portfolio reviews and mock interviews with working professionals, an industry expo, networking opportunities, and more. This year’s event also had a surprise component of inclement weather due to a rare winter storm in Dallas resulting in canceled travel, and some last minute changes to the events—a true real-world experience for sure.

Even with the resulting smaller attendance and modified schedule, the Texas/Oklahoma IIDA team provided students excellent programming in-person and virtually, as well as industry professionals facetime with students and educators. Several IIDA Student member attendees shared their favorite aspects of the event, and why student programming is important.

“IIDA has provided so many unique connections, more knowledge about interior design, and going out to conferences such as SHIFT has given us a better perspective on what our design careers and futures will look like.”
Diana Carrillo, Student IIDA, Sam Houston State University Campus Center President

Students partake in on-site tours of a design firm, a recently completed or in-progress project, and a showroom. Photo by Andy Phan

“SHIFT to me is a place to connect with professionals, to make friends, reconnect with people, and be able to take those connections back home with you. My favorite event is the expo. I get to talk and network with people and potentially land a job. It’s also a great place to meet other seniors that are in the same position I am in and learn from each other. Those in person connections are better than seeking it out online.”
- Mia Gronemeyer, Student IIDA, Appalachian State

“I’m honored to be attending SHIFT and thanks to IIDA, I am making so many connections with the interior design industry and I hope other interior design students can attend and have the same experience I can. IIDA as made me more passionate about the interior design industry and connected me with so many professionals and opportunities.”
- Alexandra Kasson, Student IIDA, Miami University Oxford Campus Center VP

“As a freshman, shift has been a great learning opportunity and chance to connect with professionals and other students and to see what to expect as I grow as a student.”
- Kaylyn Alexander, Student IIDA, Sam Houston State University

“SHIFT was life changing for me because I got to go through mock interviews and portfolio reviews and prepare for what a career in design would look like. The staff is so encouraging and helpful and made me feel like I could succeed. I wanted to become the campus center chair so I could help students get here and we are now sponsoring 3 students to attend this year.”
- Courtney Mikiten, Assoc. IIDA, Attending as a professional to support the San Antonio students

“I am a sophomore trying to find my place in the design world. I’ve learned a lot from the professionals here about the different sectors and I’ve felt like I may have found my place for the future, and without SHIFT and the professionals that come in, it would have been a lot harder for me to get the real life experiences that they are sharing with us. And everyone is so nice! It feels intimidating at first, but everyone is so kind and in the same position as you.”
- Hannah Ochoa, Student IIDA, Texas State

“IIDA SHIFT has fostered an engaging and familiar environment to connect with fellow students from across the country! The support felt from professionals and volunteers makes me really excited to join this industry. As a student, I feel very fortunate to be a part of the IIDA community and I look forward to its future.”
- Becka Simms, Student IIDA, Madison Area Technical College

Students connect with professionals for a portfolio review session at SHIFT 2023. Photo by Andy Phan

Supporting interior design students through immersive and interactive programming, the opportunity to meet face-to-face with professionals, and giving them the support they need to find their place in the industry is essential to our practice as professionals. By encouraging exploration and creativity as young designers approach their careers, we are paving the way towards an innovative future.