6 answers
Ariel
Student
West Richland, Washington
1
Question
Updated
358 views
What are good part-time jobs to have to build on my resume if I want to be an interior designer?
I'm seventeen years old as a senior, and after I graduate I'm going to college to take interior design courses, but I want jobs related to the career I'm going to pursue. Are there any part-time jobs for a seventeen-year-old relating to interior design?
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6 answers
Julie Ann Shahin
Interior Designer/Business Owner
6
Answers
Irondequoit, NY
Updated
Julie Ann’s Answer
Hi Ariel!
You’re already thinking in the right direction by wanting to get a head start on building your experience, and that's fantastic! When I was a design student, I worked in several retail outlets that related to interior design, like wallpaper, carpet, and home decor stores (though wallpaper stores may be less common now). Working in retail is great because it helps you understand different materials, design elements, and sales techniques. These skills will be incredibly valuable when you're pitching design ideas to clients in the future.
Even if you're not directly selling in a store, there are always opportunities to learn. For instance, at a carpet store where I worked, I wasn’t a salesperson but still got to answer phones, assist with customer inquiries, and learn about product details.
Another option is to reach out to local interior design firms. You can offer to help organize their sample library of fabrics, materials, and catalogs. Some firms may not pay for this type of work, but it’s still a fantastic way to build connections and learn about the latest design trends. When I was a student, I contacted firms and asked if they needed help with holiday decorating. Even though one firm had already completed their decorating for the season, they let me come in and observe their work during my winter break. It was a great opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the industry.
Good luck, and keep exploring ways to build your skills and experience—you're already on a great path!
Research local home decor, furniture, or paint stores in your area and apply for part-time positions. These environments will give you exposure to design elements and customer interactions.
Reach out to a few interior design firms or freelancers in your community and offer to help organize their sample library or assist with seasonal projects. Even unpaid opportunities can be great for learning and networking.
Start a personal design portfolio by experimenting with your own room or helping friends and family redecorate. Document before-and-after photos to showcase your style and creativity.
Join online design communities or forums to stay updated on industry trends and connect with professionals. This will help you get insights and advice as you work toward your career goals.
Consider taking online design courses or watching tutorials on platforms like YouTube or Skillshare to build your technical skills. Learning design software like SketchUp or AutoCAD will be helpful when you start your formal interior design courses in college.
You’re already thinking in the right direction by wanting to get a head start on building your experience, and that's fantastic! When I was a design student, I worked in several retail outlets that related to interior design, like wallpaper, carpet, and home decor stores (though wallpaper stores may be less common now). Working in retail is great because it helps you understand different materials, design elements, and sales techniques. These skills will be incredibly valuable when you're pitching design ideas to clients in the future.
Even if you're not directly selling in a store, there are always opportunities to learn. For instance, at a carpet store where I worked, I wasn’t a salesperson but still got to answer phones, assist with customer inquiries, and learn about product details.
Another option is to reach out to local interior design firms. You can offer to help organize their sample library of fabrics, materials, and catalogs. Some firms may not pay for this type of work, but it’s still a fantastic way to build connections and learn about the latest design trends. When I was a student, I contacted firms and asked if they needed help with holiday decorating. Even though one firm had already completed their decorating for the season, they let me come in and observe their work during my winter break. It was a great opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the industry.
Good luck, and keep exploring ways to build your skills and experience—you're already on a great path!
Julie Ann recommends the following next steps:
Thank you, Julie! I appreciate you taking time out of your day to help me. I will definitely apply and try for these types of jobs.
Ariel
You are very welcome Ariel. Best of luck!
Julie Ann Shahin
Garima Lajras
Illustrator, 2D animator, Graphic Designer, UX/UI Designer
54
Answers
Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Updated
Garima’s Answer
Hello Ariel,
I love that you're already thinking about how to build your future in interior design it shows your dedication! There are plenty of part-time roles that can help you develop skills and insights for your dream career. Here are some options to consider:
1. Home Decor or Furniture Store Jobs:
Working in these stores exposes you to design trends and teaches you about customer preferences. It’s a great way to learn what styles resonate with people.
2. Assistant to Local Designers:
Some interior designers may need part-time help with organizing materials, running errands, or setting up design spaces. This gives you valuable behind-the-scenes experience in the field.
3. Freelance Decorating:
If you love DIY projects, offer your skills to friends and family to redecorate spaces. Documenting your work will build an impressive portfolio for later.
4. Real Estate Staging:
Staging homes for sale offers great insight into how to make spaces appealing. Even assisting with basic tasks can give you hands-on design experience.
5. Clerical Work at Design Firms:
Many firms need help with administrative tasks. While it may seem unrelated, it could give you a foot in the door and allow you to learn about the design process from the inside.
Every experience you gain now will help you build skills and grow confidence in your abilities.
I hope this helps.
Best of luck!
I love that you're already thinking about how to build your future in interior design it shows your dedication! There are plenty of part-time roles that can help you develop skills and insights for your dream career. Here are some options to consider:
1. Home Decor or Furniture Store Jobs:
Working in these stores exposes you to design trends and teaches you about customer preferences. It’s a great way to learn what styles resonate with people.
2. Assistant to Local Designers:
Some interior designers may need part-time help with organizing materials, running errands, or setting up design spaces. This gives you valuable behind-the-scenes experience in the field.
3. Freelance Decorating:
If you love DIY projects, offer your skills to friends and family to redecorate spaces. Documenting your work will build an impressive portfolio for later.
4. Real Estate Staging:
Staging homes for sale offers great insight into how to make spaces appealing. Even assisting with basic tasks can give you hands-on design experience.
5. Clerical Work at Design Firms:
Many firms need help with administrative tasks. While it may seem unrelated, it could give you a foot in the door and allow you to learn about the design process from the inside.
Every experience you gain now will help you build skills and grow confidence in your abilities.
I hope this helps.
Best of luck!
Hi Ariel! Garima stated exactly what I would have recommended above. Excellent options. Best of luck, Tara Kelly, Tara K Designs, NY & CT
Tara Kelly
Anastasiia Melnikova
Graphic Designer
4
Answers
Spring City, Pennsylvania
Updated
Anastasiia’s Answer
A great way to get started is to design your room! This will help you practice what you've learned and see what it looks like in real life.
You could also try getting a job at a company that helps people renovate their homes (called "flipping"). This is a good way to learn more about design and how it works in a real job.
You could also try getting a job at a company that helps people renovate their homes (called "flipping"). This is a good way to learn more about design and how it works in a real job.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Ariel
Robin Daurelle
Commercial Interior Design also taught college classes
6
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Robin’s Answer
A lot of times kid get stuck in the can't get a job w/o experiance that you can't get w/o a job spiral. If you run into that consider volunteering at Habitat for Humanity.
Gabrielle Nichols
8
Answers
Updated
Gabrielle’s Answer
Here are some good part-time jobs for building a resume for a career in interior design:
Home Decor Retail Assistant – Learn about furniture styles, textiles, and trends.
Furniture Store Sales Associate – Gain experience in room layouts and furniture arrangement.
Interior Design Firm Assistant – Observe the design process and client interactions.
Freelance Home Organizer – Develop skills in space optimization and organization.
Real Estate Assistant/Stager – Learn to stage homes and work within client budgets.
Visual Merchandiser – Practice color coordination and creating displays.
Art Gallery Assistant – Deepen your understanding of art and its use in design.
Photography Assistant – Learn how to capture spaces effectively.
Event Setup Crew/Planner – Build skills in space layout and design themes.
Freelance Services Online – Create mood boards or basic design concepts to build a portfolio.
Home Decor Retail Assistant – Learn about furniture styles, textiles, and trends.
Furniture Store Sales Associate – Gain experience in room layouts and furniture arrangement.
Interior Design Firm Assistant – Observe the design process and client interactions.
Freelance Home Organizer – Develop skills in space optimization and organization.
Real Estate Assistant/Stager – Learn to stage homes and work within client budgets.
Visual Merchandiser – Practice color coordination and creating displays.
Art Gallery Assistant – Deepen your understanding of art and its use in design.
Photography Assistant – Learn how to capture spaces effectively.
Event Setup Crew/Planner – Build skills in space layout and design themes.
Freelance Services Online – Create mood boards or basic design concepts to build a portfolio.
Angela Y. Smithers
User Interface Design
6
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Angela Y.’s Answer
I was an interior design student once! Good times, good times.
I actually worked/interned for a design showroom. I loved exploring the samples and becoming familiar with them. Since others have provided front-door suggestions for getting into the interior design industry, I will throw in some side door suggestions.
Real Estate Photography 📸: Develop your skills in interior photography to create a standout portfolio. Lighting can be especially tricky. Becoming a freelance expert can make you a sought-after professional, especially in showcasing interior spaces.
Drone Photography Assistant 🚁: This role is less common but increasingly in demand. It can provide access to commercial interior design projects, allowing you to network with industry professionals while capturing stunning aerial shots. You become more familiar with which design companies you see on site most often.
Work Near Design-Related Businesses 🏢: Consider part-time positions at companies that are physically next door to a design or architecture firm. This can help you "bump into" professionals and learn about the industry through casual conversation as you say hello in passing.
Tile or Hardware Store 🛠️: Working in these environments can give you insights into materials and their durability. Pay attention to customer feedback to understand what items are returned most often and why; enhancing your knowledge of product selection when it becomes your turn to make purchase decisions as a designer.
Part-Time CAD Position 💻: If you’re 16 or older, look for opportunities to intern with CAD (Computer-Aided Design) -- some high schools have a co-op program that will let you work during business hours. Gaining experience in CAD or other design software is a require skilled interior designers now.
These roles will not only build your skills but also expand your network in the interior design field! 🌟
I actually worked/interned for a design showroom. I loved exploring the samples and becoming familiar with them. Since others have provided front-door suggestions for getting into the interior design industry, I will throw in some side door suggestions.
Real Estate Photography 📸: Develop your skills in interior photography to create a standout portfolio. Lighting can be especially tricky. Becoming a freelance expert can make you a sought-after professional, especially in showcasing interior spaces.
Drone Photography Assistant 🚁: This role is less common but increasingly in demand. It can provide access to commercial interior design projects, allowing you to network with industry professionals while capturing stunning aerial shots. You become more familiar with which design companies you see on site most often.
Work Near Design-Related Businesses 🏢: Consider part-time positions at companies that are physically next door to a design or architecture firm. This can help you "bump into" professionals and learn about the industry through casual conversation as you say hello in passing.
Tile or Hardware Store 🛠️: Working in these environments can give you insights into materials and their durability. Pay attention to customer feedback to understand what items are returned most often and why; enhancing your knowledge of product selection when it becomes your turn to make purchase decisions as a designer.
Part-Time CAD Position 💻: If you’re 16 or older, look for opportunities to intern with CAD (Computer-Aided Design) -- some high schools have a co-op program that will let you work during business hours. Gaining experience in CAD or other design software is a require skilled interior designers now.
These roles will not only build your skills but also expand your network in the interior design field! 🌟