The IIDA Student Mentoring Program is one of the most dynamic mentoring programs in the interior design industry. Every year, IIDA pairs more than 500 students across the U.S. with mentors that work in the interior design industry as designers, manufacturer representatives, dealers, educators, and more, to take students out of the classroom and into the real world of interior design.

It offers IIDA Student members a chance to gain and share insight into a career in the interior design community by shadowing a professional for a day. For design professionals, take advantage of this chance to give back to the design community. The IIDA Student Mentoring Program is an opportunity to inspire emerging designers and possibly make a connection for potential employment opportunities in the future.

Why Participate?

IIDA Student members should take advantage of one of our most popular member programs that offers the benefit of connecting with professionals working in the industry today.

Participation in the IIDA Student Mentoring Program can provide you with real life experiences, tools, connections, and advice for entering the workforce—in addition you will qualify to submit an essay of your experiences for a chance to win $1,000 through the Wilsonart Essay Competition. 2023 Wilsonart Essay Competition submissions open March 10, 2023. Learn more about submitting your experience here

For design professionals, the program provides an opportunity to nurture emerging talent, share resources, and be a part of changing and growing our design community. Read about Zane Land, Ind. IIDA shared her experiences as a mentor, and the importance of mentoring emerging designers, read here.

How does it work?

The Student Mentoring Program offers an in-person, virtual, or a hybrid experience based on the preferences and abilities of participants. All pairings will be based on a first-come, first-serve process that will incorporate the student and mentor’s areas of interest and expertise. We do our best to incorporate all of your submitted information when pairing you with your student or mentor.

Each student will be assigned one mentor. Design professionals can select the option to mentor multiple students if they are able.

What is the Wilsonart Essay Competition?

The Wilsonart Student Education Fund, part of the IIDA Foundation, is proud to offer a $1,000 prize to the winner of the Wilsonart Essay Competition. Only students participating in the Student Mentoring Program are eligible to enter by submitting an original essay reflecting on their mentoring experience.

2023 Submissions Open March 10, 2023
Learn more about submitting your experience here

Resources

• You can download a copy of the 2023 Student Mentoring Program Guidelines
• Visit the Student Mentoring Program FAQ
• 2022 Kick-Off Webinar:

• The IIDA Student Mentoring Session is Now Over, What Comes Next:

For questions or more information, contact Melissa Cook, Student Engagement Manager at mcook@iida.org