Dear Melissa:
Is your job stressful? If so, in what ways? Do you have any recommendations for someone who wants to get into this career? P.V., Ohio
Dear P.:
Is my job stressful? Too bad you couldn’t hear my uncontrollable laughter when I read your question. Is there any job that isn’t occasionally stressful?
There are a lot of advantages to this field: creativity, variety, not being deskbound, exposure to beautiful things, discounts, etc. On the other hand, there is always the downside of problems re: building codes, deadlines, paperwork, inventory, backorders, discontinued items, dye lots, accounts receivable, subcontractors, and shipping delays, to name but a few. And don’t get me started on the challenges of running a business in this economy!
My recommendation to someone considering this career would be to run away screaming, but I’m obviously a fine one to talk. (I’ll be much more positive after our holiday installations.)
Seriously, this is an enormous field with lots of specialties: residential design, commercial design, interior architecture, furniture design, retail sales, kitchen/bath design, hospitality design, and institutional design, as well as several sub-specialties. I suggest you start by taking a few classes at one of the local colleges. Visit some decorating firms. Read some trade publications.
Once the perceived glamour of this field has been stripped away, and you can see the job underneath, you’ll know if the business of interior design really appeals to you. If it still does, experiment with the different aspects of the field to see what suits you most. Then go for it; we can always use good people in this industry. M.A.K.
