The Design Career Starter Kit

IIDA and OFS convene design leaders and student members for a series of webinars delving into the ins-and-outs of the job hunt — how students can find their first design job, choose a specialty, and thrive in a corporate environment.

Show potential employers you’re ready to succeed with IIDA’s Early Career Accelerator

Those who watch this webinar series are eligible for the IIDA Early Career Accelerator micro-credential. Watch all three episodes and complete a short quiz. (A link to the quiz will be available on this page once all three episodes air.) After you successfully complete the quiz, you will receive an email confirmation and an IIDA Early Career Accelerator badge to use on LinkedIn.

Read below to learn more about each episode and register today to learn how to build your design career

The Design Career Starter Kit: Episode 1

How to Get a Job: Ace the Application

Tips on how to strengthen your resume, cover letter, and portfolio — and how to harness your connections and network to get your resume to the top of the pile.

Moderator:
Halima McWilliams, Human Resources Director, Corgan

Speakers:
Paridhi Chawla, IIDA, Design Professional, VP of Student Development, IIDA New York Chapter
De’Lana Noil, Assoc. IIDA, Designer, Gensler
Rita Radley, Interior Design Leader, CannonDesign

Register here

Smiling person with short gray-black curly hair, tortoiseshell hoop earrings, denim shirt under a red blazer and an H pendant necklace. — **Halima McWilliams**
Corgan

**Paridhi Chawla, IIDA**
IIDA New York Chapter

Smiling woman with long braided hair, light gray blazer over black top, gold pendant necklace and hoop earring, warmly gazing left. — **De’Lana Noil, Assoc. IIDA**
Gensler

Smiling blonde woman with shoulder-length hair, light makeup and a small hoop earring, wearing a black sweater against a white backdrop. — **Rita Radley**
CannonDesign

The Design Career Starter Kit: Episode 2

How to Get a Job: Master the Interview

How to own the interview, thrive in a corporate environment, and stand out during the first 30/60/90 days.

Moderator:
Lisa Cholmondeley, Principal and Director of the Center for Research on Equity and Design, Gensler

Speakers:
Sarah Kuchar, IIDA, Owner, Creative Director, Kuchar
Lydia Mudd, Project Specialist, Corgan
Brett Shwery, FIIDA, Principal and Global Practice Director, Commercial Interiors, HKS

Register here

Smiling woman with short hair wearing a colorful patterned silk scarf and dark blazer, looking right against a blurred beaded curtain. — **Lisa Cholmondeley**
Gensler

Smiling professional woman with wavy light-brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a black polka-dot blouse with arms crossed against gray. — **Sarah Kuchar, IIDA**
Kuchar

Lydia Mudd
Corgan

Smiling middle-aged man with short salt-and-pepper hair and trimmed beard, wearing black jacket and turtleneck, seated before glass stairs. — **Brett Shwery, FIIDA**
HKS

The Design Career Starter Kit: Episode 3

How To Choose Your Design Direction

The world of design is big, with varied paths and specialties. Here’s how to find where you fit in — and excel once you get there.

Moderator:
Anne Gibson, IIDA, Firmwide Interior Design Practice Leader, CannonDesign

Speakers:
Christine Crawford, Design Manager, Alfred Williams & Company
Maria VanDeman, Ind. IIDA, Director of Design Strategy, OFS
Vanessa Vu, Senior Interior Designer, Senior Associate, DLR Group
Riley Wypiszenski, IIDA, Interior Designer, Associate, Gensler

Register here