(Above image: Valeshka Mondolo's summer as a DYW teaching assistant begins in Dallas. Image courtesy of Mondolo)

 What if one summer could open the door to a future in design? Well, that's exactly what IIDA’s Design Your World Program (DYW) does. More than just a summer program — it introduces students to the foundations of design, and fosters a community that encourages and supports students as they grow, explore, and navigate the many possibilities available with a creative career. For two alumni, that support has come full circle as they’ve returned as teaching assistants, helping to inspire and guide the next cohort through the same experience that shaped their own journeys. 

Marckly Isaac, a freshman studying architecture at Florida International University, and Valeshka Mondolo, a sophomore studying Interior Design at University of Texas at Arlington, share what it’s like to return to DYW in a mentorship capacity. 

Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. 

What valuable lessons or tools did you learn during DYW that you still use today? 

Marckly Issac (MI): My time at DYW taught me how to think like a designer. I approach every project by looking at the space through the user's eyes. I ask myself how it feels to experience that environment firsthand.

Valeshka Mondolo (VM): Even though I had already taken interior design classes in high school and been exposed to the interior design world, I still learned many valuable lessons through DYW. The lesson that truly stuck with me was that design has the power to impact the world and shape people's experiences. Interior design isn't just about aesthetics; it can influence how people feel, how they see themselves, and even how they think.

What made you decide to come back to be a teaching assistant for DYW? What was your biggest take away from the experience? 

MI: What brought me back as a teaching assistant was how much I valued my own experience as a student. The teaching assistants before me had a massive impact on my growth, and I wanted to create that same supportive environment for someone else. Being on the other side of the classroom helped me realize that learning never stops because I ended up learning just as many valuable lessons from my students.

VM: I had such an amazing experience in DYW and deeply appreciated the time and effort everyone who participated invested in others and in me. I wanted to continue that chain by giving back and investing in the next generation of designers. I know how someone who is a little further ahead in life can truly impact the younger generation, and nothing else brings me greater joy than to play a small part in a young designer's journey. My biggest takeaway was that the connections we make before entering the “real world” can leave a mark on someone for the rest of their life. Relationships are what make the  world go round, and when we lose that, we lose advancement in every area.

What is a piece of advice you would give to students participating in the DYW program? 

MI: To any new students entering the DYW program, my biggest piece of advice is to let go of the pressure to be perfect, this program was designed for growth. Come with an open mind and be ready to look at environments you’ve encountered a thousand times in new and creative ways.

VM:  I encourage future students participating in the DYW program to take advantage of every little bit; there truly isn't anything like it. Take advantage of the friendships you create, the connections you make, and the people you have the opportunity to learn from. Whether they have a title or not, be like a sponge and absorb everything; imagine, dream big and never be afraid to ask questions, whether it sounds silly or not.

What is your dream design job? 

MI: My dream design job is to be principal architect at my own architectural firm.

VM: My dream job is to be a hospitality interior designer, creating meaningful spaces and experiences that become a part of people's core memories.

How are you preparing for your ideal future now?  

MI: I am currently on track to getting my master’s in architecture at Florida International University in five years.

VM: School is a big part of the journey of an interior designer, but I believe one of the most impactful parts of preparing for the future is relationships. The relationships we build both in and outside of school, and the community we create, and the foundation you build yourself on is what helps you continue on. For me, preparation looks like stewarding the opportunities, the people, and knowledge I've been given while deepening my faith every day. I try to live by being humble, eager to learn, and excited to create. The life of a sponge does not end with DYW; it continues wherever you go. 

Learn more about the Design Your World program