How do you know that you're choosing the right career?

Careers these days don't have to be the one thing that you do for your entire life. People grow and change over the course of their lives and that may include changes in career as well.

Speaking from experience I can tell you that doing a number of different things can help to give you a good, broad view of the world. I studied biology at UC Berkeley, went on to work in IT management for several years, got my master of fine arts degree, and have now worked in the video games industry as an artist for almost a decade.

I don't consider my education or other jobs as a waste of time. I learned so much more doing all of those other things than if I had only ever done art. That's not to say that knowing what you want and going after it whole-heartedly is wrong either. Just know that there's nothing wrong with changing your mind down the road.

Contact your state chapter of ASID or IIDA - they offer shadowing programs so that you can see what a designer really does on a day-to-day basis. That way you can see how you feel about it. Good Luck!

Dear Michaela,

If you have a passion for interior design, before committing to it as a major, read more about it, reach out to your school of interest and talk to students and teachers. Maybe you know an interior designer your can share their experience with you. That may help you make a decision about making it your major or not.

Going to school for the subject you love will never be a waste of time. It is not unusual for people to start school with one major in mind, and then switch goals in the middle of the school term. The journey you will experience by going to college will help you discover great things about yourself and your potential. Never take for granted the experience.

Interior Design is a great career, and by going to school for it will allow you to strengthen your various skills.

Good luck!
Claudia

Hi Michaela,

People change a lot as they mature, become educated, and gain knowledge from their work experience. Many people change careers after a number of years because they develop new interests. My father started out working toward becoming a journalist and ended up in the Army. My mother trained as a seamstress and ended up as a psychiatric nurse at a mental hospital. I have a sister who worked as an office manager/ HR specialist, than started her own business using toys to teach the principles of science, and now she is a science teacher and a topnotch one at that.

If interior design is what you love, go for it. There are different applications so maybe you can interview a residential designer, commercial, special design to promote wellness like in hospitals and cancer centers. You can check out the following link https://www.asid.org/ for the American Society for Interior Designers - which talks about a student summit, issues, etc.

Please let me know how it goes.

Michaela,

Ask yourself what it is about Interior Design that you think you won't like. You are right to have your doubts. EVERY job has that one part that you don't really like doing. I have had to clean bathrooms, sweep, mop, and dust for example, even though I was never a custodian! Sometimes it's having to do financial records. Sometimes it's public speaking. For people working at veterinary clinics, it's probably cleaning out cages and picking up poop. You got some good advice above. Shadow some designers. Ask them about the bad part of the job.

Also ask yourself: if not interior design, then what would you want to do? Explore some of those other areas as well.

As far as school goes, education is easier while you are younger. Learning gets difficult the older you get! And, sadly, a degree is almost required to get into many fields. ANY degree. You will see that it is not as important what degree you have, so long as you have one. You can always cross into a totally different field, within reason.

Best of luck to you!
Kim

To get into the industry you must first go through school.
You'll have plenty of time to choose as you learn.
The education and formation you will receive will last a life-time even if you change your mind later.
College is never wasted.
Don't try to be too perfect in your choice.
and it's ok to have some doubts.
Take a sheet of paper and make a list of everything you LOVE doing, drawing, coloring, playing music, dressing up, or reading, any book will guide you about those things you are interested in.
Do not let fear stop you nor be your advisor, but instead listen to your feelings and look inside of yourself.
Interior Design is a great career, and many people just enjoy being around color, furniture, carpets and beds and offices. Take a sheet of graph paper, and draw the floorplan of your own dream room or house.
If at the end of the day you feel it sucks, then perhaps you should explore somewhere else.
If on the other hand you loved it and enjoyed your day, then this is a good sign to take it seriously.

How would you know that you won't like the cookie if you never try it?
Start with a simple sheet of paper, it's the best thing you can do, is start doing it.

I recommend that you take some career interest and aptitude tests. You're guidance counselor can help you with that. An education is never wasted. My first degree was in business and then at age 28 I returned to school to get my nursing degree. I use both degrees in the work I do now so I have the best of both worlds.

If you have a strong interest in interior design, investigate it. Research the field, shadow a designer, and chat with professionals in the industry.

If you have a passion for interior design, by all means go for it! Life is an elaborate progression. If you decide that interior design isn't for you chances are by that point in the journey you've discovered your strengths in other areas.

My degree is in interior design and that's where my career began. I transitioned into commercial real estate and now I'm in facilities management. Every piece was part of a whole and I've enjoyed every experience.

I wish you the best!