If you are unhappy and think you want a totally new direction, you may need to go all the way back to books that can help clarify interests. You can start by answering the questions in Table 4‐4. You might also find Robert Bolles's What Color Is Your Parachute? a useful tool to help you redefine your interests. It is updated every year. These suggestions don't make you investigate the whole of the situation, but they can get you headed in a promising direction.
An important part of the evaluation and decision process is talking to someone who knows you well and will keep your confidences as you contemplate making a career change. If it is going to be something dramatic, such as moving from a design/planning position to one in sales, talk to people who already are working in that position, especially those who have been designers before. They can help you understand what it is like to make a transition and warn you about problems with making a career change.
When you are certain about your new career path, make sure that you can afford to make the change. As discussed in Chapters 19–23, starting your own practice is neither inexpensive nor easy. And if teaching is your goal, keep in mind that teaching salaries are not on a par with the compensation that senior designers are accustomed to.
Finding a new job, especially in a different field, takes time. Figuring out for sure what it is you want to do and where you want to do it is just the start. You need to consider any impact on your family. When you are going to be able to interview without the boss finding out is another consideration. Some bosses will fire someone who they discover is looking around for a new job feeling the person is no longer committed to the current firm.
You might also need to obtain different credentials to seek out a new career option. Full‐time faculty at most institutions are generally required to have a master's degree. Becoming involved in sustainable design can involve obtaining LEED® certification or accreditation. Moving to a state that has licensing laws may also require that you get more education or meet other standards.
TABLE 4‐4. Questions to help evaluate a possible job or career change
| What is scariest about changing careers?List three to five reasons why you want to leave your present job.List three to five reasons why you should stay in your present job.What was the reason—the last straw—that helped you decide to leave?Did you regret leaving a previous job?Do you wish that you had left that other job (or this one) sooner?Is there a particular circumstance that would convince you to stay?If you leave, how will you support yourself during a transition should you be fired during the job search?If you leave, are you really acting in your own best interests?Why do you think it is time to make a total career change?What will you be looking for in a new career that the current one does not provide?Are you prepared for a major difference in income if you embark on a totally new career?Do you have a plan for your future related to making a career change? |
An important issue is to not burn your bridges. Walking in and quitting one day without giving notice and with projects unfinished will cause a lot of problems for both the company and you. The company may not be very willing to give you a recommendation, assuming you need it. You might not be able to take current clients with you to your new position or even use past projects as part of a portfolio. If you have previously signed an employment contract, conditions in that contract may make some choices difficult.
Once you know what you are going to do, give ample notice, say thank you for the experience of working there, and say good‐bye gracefully. And remember, for most of you, Thomas Wolfe was right—you can't go home again. It is unlikely that you will want to return to your old position, and it is also unlikely that they will want you back. So think very carefully before making a change.
WEB SITES RELEVANT TO THIS CHAPTER
www.asid.org/education American Society of Interior Designers
www.careeronestop.org Careeronestop—U.S. Department of Labor
www.interiordesigncanada.org Interior Designers of Canada
www.iida.org International Interior Design Association
KEY TERMS
Collaboration
Commercial interior design
Freelancer
Independent design firm
On the boards
WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
1 Judy's uncle mentioned to a friend of his that Judy had recently started work at a residential interior design studio only a month after graduation. This friend thought that hiring Judy would be a great way to get some design ideas “on the cheap.” The friend's project involved the remodeling of his kitchen and family room. Judy was excited about doing a project like this and jumped at the opportunity. She did not mention the project to her boss, as she felt that it did not need to involve the employer. Judy plans to do the project in her spare time and charge the client an hourly fee paid directly to Judy.
2 Mary is inspecting a job site designed by her firm, a small commercial design studio. She notices that the wallpaper installer is using the wrong wall covering in the reception area. She attempts to call her boss about the mistake, but is interrupted by the client, who has questions about other areas of the project. She never gets back to her boss that day. A few days later, Mary finds that the wrong paper was installed in the reception area.
3 Katie has been working for a design firm for five years and has gained much experience in a design specialty area. She became disgruntled because she did not receive a raise and promotion recently that she was expecting. Other design firms have approached Katie in the past year about moving to their firms. After finally deciding to look for another job, she first tries to talk to the owner about her concerns and is told she is still not eligible for a promotion. Now thoroughly discouraged, she takes plans of projects she has been involved in and includes them in her portfolio for the job interviews, without permission of her current employer.
REFERENCES
1 1. Oxford American College Dictionary, 2002, p. 271.
2 2. Hirsch, 1996, p. 149.
CHAPTER 5 Professional Options
The interior design profession offers students and professionals numerous options and directions for career opportunities. For many, the direction in the profession seems very logical and direct. “I intend to design residential interiors.” “My goal is to be involved in the design of restaurants and hotels,” say others. Clearly, this latter sentiment could mean any number of commercial specialties.
Part of one's effort to determine a path in the profession involves personal and professional goal setting. Goals provide direction in our lives. Professional goals help make choices and decisions that arise during our careers easier to navigate. Personal goals help to balance professional activity for a fuller life. Setting goals is risky and takes commitment, but