Every spring since 2011, IIDA has provided over 500 student members the opportunity to be matched with a mentor working in the interior design industry. Mentors work across the industry as interior designers, product designers, manufacturers, sales reps, and more, and provide students with a glimpse into the breadth of career paths available to them, and connections that can offer guidance as they enter the workforce. This program has equipped students with the tools, guidance, and skills they need to start planning to map out their careers, as well as with connections that can potentially offer employment opportunities in the future.
For professionals, the program offers opportunities to give back to their community and connect with students in a way that doesn’t only feel good, but provides access to up and coming talent, new ideas, and building connections with emerging designers.
Industry members Wilsonart further support students in their mentorship experience through providing a prize for an essay summarizing their experiences in the mentoring program, the annual Wilsonart Student Essay Program. The winning essays are an excellent glimpse into the range of experiences and lessons that students take away from this program every year. Read the 2021 winning essay by Jonny Bywater, Student IIDA here.
Yvonne Yip, Student IIDA points out in her 2020 essay that “IIDA’s Student Mentoring Program is a wonderful way for aspiring interior designers to experience and learn what it is like to work in the field of interior design. This experience was invaluable in exposing me to the world of institutional design, meeting inspirational mentors including Lorraine, and introducing me to a more user-centered design perspective.”
Zane Land, Ind. IIDA, specifications representative who has been with Wilsonart since 1988 has been participating in the program as a mentor for five years, introducing students to her role in education the architecture and design community on Wilsonart products through presentations, individual meetings, manufacturing plant tours, providing samples and updates and involvement in local design/architect associations.