Julie Ann Shahin

When you were a student, did you do anything outside of school to build skills or get knowledge that has helped your career?

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.

How did you start building your network?

"It's not important who you know, it's important who knows you." As an interior designer living in a city that I did not grow up in, nor go to school in, my network has been very small. It has been family and friends up until recently. I find it difficult to network as an introverted highly sensistive person and empath. A mentor suggested that I start to network, so I joined a women's group in my community that was formed on Facebook with the goal of making more friends in the area. Bonus: having fun with activities like going to dinner, game night, etc. I attended my local chamber of commerce networking event for women for the first time recently. I gave myself a goal of staying long enough to meet three people. The first two people were very easy to start talking to - one was washing her hands next to me in the rest room, and then we walked to the event space together chatting. The next person I started talking to was someone next to me while I had the bartender get me a water. Our group slowly grew to about five people. I gave myself permission to leave after that so I wouldn't be as intimidated the next time I networked. The last time that I networked was at the Home and Garden show. Even though I wasn't particularly interested in attending, I knew that people would be eager to chat (as long as they weren't already busy with a potential client.) I just went up to a booth whose business could be beneficial to mine, and introduced myself, my business, and mentioned that I was adding to my list of great people to refer my clients to when they ask for a list of contractors. As far as networking to find an internship or job, our college professor had great advice. Call up several firms in town, and ask them if you can ask them questions for a school project, and you will only take 13 minutes of their time. (Be sure to set a timer.) Assure them that you will not be asking if they are hiring. Be sure to dress in your best interview outfit appropriate to your field. Then ask questions such as: 1. What is your favorite thing about being a (job title)? 2. What is your least favorite thing about being a _____________? 3. What skills do you think are most important for being a _____________? 4. Who is your biggest competition? (What other local company?) 5. Is there anything else that you think I should know? Follow up a few days later with a thank you call (not a text or email, you need to call). Ask "if they know anyone" who is looking for an intern. Here you are keeping your promise that you are not asking THEM if they have a job. They will probably say "so and so is hiring," or "we're interviewing," or they might get back to you in the future when they hear of something.