contributed by Jenny S. Rebholz [writer / marketing consultant / designer / instructor / mentor / networking machine]
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference…” (Robert Frost) For some interior design students, the path is clear — 
graduate from high school, pursue a college degree in interior design, and start off on your design career in your early twenties. The choice is simple, the direction clear, and the career moves full steam ahead. For others, the roads have been diverse and long. No matter when and how they were directed to a career in interior design, they don’t regret their decision to pursue this profession later rather than sooner. They are happy to be fulfilling their dreams.
Passion, determination, and drive seem to be common denominators with these students. Some may refer to these students as older or nontraditional, but no matter the label, they bring unique life experiences to the classroom and offer potential employers an intriguing mix of skills, savvy, and maturity.
I have been fortunate in my teaching career to have a classroom filled with age-diverse students. Half the class is typically younger than me, while half is typically older. When you ask who thinks who has the advantage in the marketplace, each group looks to the other as the ones with the leg up.
I have found that every student has a unique blend of skills and talents that, when matched with the right job, will create a successful career path. I took the time to sit down with some of my “older” students to learn more about their less-traveled roads. They have interesting stories to share that hopefully will inspire others to fulfill their dreams. Design students with similar backgrounds should feel a sense of camaraderie and know they are not alone. And hopefully this will give younger students insight into this classroom resource, so both groups will share and learn from each others’ life experiences.
Moms On The Move
Family is the first calling for some people. For some a college degree was part of that plan, but they looked for something more reliable and sometimes less creative such as communications, business, accounting, or nursing. Babies were born, and the title of motherhood became the priority. Some are still continuing their family efforts while fitting in classroom time. Others have kids heading to school, or even fleeing the nest, and husbands with steady careers or who are considering retirement. No matter their stage in motherhood, they are all ready for a little “me” time. They want a career to call their own and a good reason to get out of the house.
Student comments:
“After working part time, raising kids, and moving around to support my husband’s career, now it is all about me. It is my time.”
“When I decided to enroll in the interior design program, I had no idea there was so much to know. I never really realized the impact of design on everything. I think it will be very fulfilling for me.”
Blindsided
With 9/11 and a tumultuous economy, loyal employees found themselves blindsided by layoffs. After years of dedication to a company and a career path and lifestyle reliant on this job security, many workers were forced to re-examine their future. After exploring the job market with no success, school seemed the best option for coping with these unforeseen circumstances. The interior design major offered a refreshing option and an opportunity to explore skills that had remained untapped for so many years.
Student comments:
“I expected it to be hard. Returning to school at this age is hard; you don’t retain the information in the same way. I feel really satisfied. I went back to school, maintained a high grade point and completed the program in two years.”
Just Do It
Despite successful, thriving careers in other arenas, some students simply decide to make a change. Whether motivated by a midlife crisis or simply looking for a new path, these students wake up one day and decide it is time to “just do it.” Interior design has been on their mind for years, and these doers just can’t sit back any longer. They refuse to let life pass them by, and they make the time to tackle the challenge.
Student comments:
“After I turned 40 and my mom passed away, I sort of had a midlife crisis. Rather than doing what I had to do for a paycheck, I absolutely love what I am doing now. I should have done it at 18, but maybe it is my destiny to do it now.”
“I decided to just do it. I go to school part time and it has made me happier in what I do. I feel more challenged, more creative, and it is testing me on my own skills. When you love what you do it is the best feeling. So many people don’t make a change when they really want to, and they should. You bring a wisdom and experience that makes a difference and end up with a whole new circle of people you know, a network of creative people. I wish I would have done it at a younger age, but I guess it is just my time now.”
Knowledge Seekers
With couples debating condo life or building a new home, some students enter the school zone to gather information and educate themselves on the process before they invest the big money. Once they get a taste of all that a design career has to offer, they are not only seeking knowledge for their personal project, they are tackling a new career.
Student comments:
“We were going to build a ridiculous house, so I decided to learn a little bit about it first. After meeting the other students and instructors and getting motivated by the competition and the grades, I started to forget about the house and think about a new career.”
Foreign Exchange
Some students come from around the world to make the United States their home. In the transition, language barriers and credential transfers can make career choices a challenge. Without anticipating a new career, a class here or there seems like a good idea to ease into the culture and learn something new.
Student comments:
“The more I learned, the more I liked it, and it has helped me with the language. As it goes along, I get better. I have more knowledge and it keeps me thinking.”
The New Path
The nontraditional student comes from numerous directions — different ages, sexes, races, and life experiences. Moms, accountants, nurses, artists, business owners, marketing professionals, salespeople, production supervisors… these students have diverse backgrounds. They are either looking for a change or are pushed to change. They have found the challenge of a career in interior design to be the right road to take. These students can be confident and terrified all at the same time. They sometimes find it scary to be heading back to school, but determined to accomplish their goals. They set high standards for themselves, their instructors, and the interior design programs, and find their life skills and past careers an asset to this new creative challenge. They can offer a lot of insight to the traditional students and can learn a lot from their counterparts’ fresh and typically technologically savvy perspective.
So what does this all mean” It means that interior design programs and future employers need to take advantage of this diversity. People considering a career switch or those who feel they are too old for a change need to know they have a support group of peers. There are students who have traveled other roads and are now finding a common path in an interior design career. No matter their situation, every student is glad to have taken the chance and made the change. Interaction between all of these students will enrich the classroom experience and enhance the education of designers — sharing and exploring these different perspectives will result in better design solutions.
