Gaining Experience
Interior design
Competition for jobs in this sector is fierce and work experience could be the deciding factor to securing a graduate job. Undertaking work experience is invaluable in developing expertise and the all-important transferable skills, which will help you demonstrate to employers your motivation and commitment to this area of work and show that you can use your skills and knowledge in a professional environment.
The key to success is to prepare thoroughly, do your research and organise your experience in good time. Think about small and medium size companies as well as large organisations; it is worth contacting companies that you would eventually like to work for. Include in your list as possible contacts, interior design and architectural firms, design consultancies, construction companies, visual merchandising departments and theatres to ask whether you could undertake a placement with them.
Consider taking part in live briefs, entering competitions and taking advantage of exhibitions, as all are a great way of building your skills and making contacts. There are likely to be opportunities to do this through your time at university, so find out what is available. Use your current part-time job productively, if you are working as a shop assistant take time to forge links with the visual merchandising team in your branch, it might lead to some creative work experience.
Read on below for more information about the types of opportunities that might be available, as well as advice on how to approach your search for work experience.
Types of opportunities
Internships (usually a fixed period or a limited amount of time), will give you a more hands-on experience. Many employers will treat internships in the same way as full-time employment, so when a job role asks for 'at least one year’s experience’ you can include this type of experience.
Placements will give you a long-term look at an organisation, and help you to build contacts and experience. On some degrees work placements are part of the programme, whilst on others you can choose to complete a placement as one of your modules. Many courses at the University of Portsmouth enable you to complete a one year work placement or self-employment placement; should you choose to undertake either, your first point of contact is your placement office in your faculty.
Search for advertised placements at:
Learn more about taking a placement
Many students from the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Arts choose to take a Self-Employed Placement. This allows you to work for yourself during your placement year and receive support from the University's Student Startup Team. You will have access to funding opportunities, networking events and workshops.
It is worth considering the voluntary sector for work experience - this could be a valuable way to build up your skills and knowledge in this field. Our Volunteering Bank provides local opportunities to undertake alongside your studies, listing roles such as:
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Theatre Production Assistant at the King's Theatre
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Exhibition Volunteer at Aspex Gallery
Speculative applications
You might find it tricky to find advertised opportunities within the interior design sector, so a speculative approach could be crucial for you to secure some work experience, which is where you approach employers yourself to enquire of any suitable opportunities. They involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they can offer any work experience, even if the company is not currently advertising placements or internships. Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
Directories that might help you locate companies to target as part of a speculative approach in graphic design include:
Tips to build experience
- Explore the various areas within the interior design sector before you apply for work experience; knowing what you want to specialise in will help you focus your research and ensure you gain the relevant skills.
- Get involved in relevant University or external groups. This is a good way of demonstrating your motivation and interest in this area of work.
- Speak to your tutor or other members of faculty staff researching in the areas that interest you, as students are sometimes recruited to work on research projects over the summer.
- Be proactive and make direct contact with organisations that interest you and apply speculatively; send a targeted CV and a covering letter focused on why you are interested in them and why they should be interested in you.
- Create a LinkedIn profile to network with sector employers – see our Networking and Social Media section for further guidance.
