INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENTS CAN NETWORK WITH PROS

(PALM SPRINGS, Calif.) The Palm Springs/Inland Chapter of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) will host a student Career Day Saturday, April 5 in Corona.

The conference is sponsored by the Palm Springs/Inland, Los Angeles, Orange County and Pasadena chapters of ASID. It takes place at the FLOORCO Design Center showroom, 146 Via Trevizio, Corona from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“I encourage all interior design students and industry professionals to join us for a great networking opportunity,” said Sara Sandoval, academic director for interior design at the Art Institute of California - Inland Empire. “Students interested in interior design will benefit from the networking with dynamic professionals, a wide variety of educational choices and career options in the field.”

The conference is open to students and industry professionals. Student members of ASID may register for $20. Interior design students who are not in ASID may do so for $30, and interior design professionals may register for $40.

For more information about registering, contact Traci Kunz at tkunz@swansoninteriors.com, or by calling (760) 346-5300, or Maria Cruz at mariacrz@yahoo.com or (760) 449-0724.

Participants will find employers to network with and possibly a new job, but this conference offers them much more. Most importantly, they will have an opportunity to learn from interior design experts in Southern California about current topics in the field.

There will also be at least one speaker whose expertise is in helping people find jobs. Scott Saunders, director of career services for the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, will discuss strategies for finding employment, including networking in the hidden job market.

“Especially in the field of interior design, at least 50 to 80 percent of the open positions are hidden, meaning they are not publicly posted,” Saunders said. “My presentation will show them how to network in the hidden job market by making industry contacts and by working with organizations such as ASID.”

Other topics to be addressed by industry professionals include green design, how to obtain required state certifications, and contemporary design techniques. There will also be keynote speakers, product tours and vendor booths.

Lunch is served during the conference, and the last two hours are dedicated to a “social networking event.” During this event, there will be an expanded vendor display of potential employers, live music, wine tasting and an opportunity to network with students and industry professionals. Many of these professionals, including Sandoval from the Art Institute of California-Inland Empire, will be available to critique resumes or answer questions about the industry.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Game Art & Design, Culinary Management, Graphic Design, Web Design & Interactive Media, Interior Design, Fashion and Retail Management and Media Arts & Animation. There are also Associate of Science degrees in Graphic Design and Culinary Arts. Each program is offered on a year-round basis, allowing students to work uninterrupted toward their degrees.

The Art Institute of California – Inland Empire is one of the Art Institutes (artinstitutes.edu) with 40 educational institutions throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals.

For more information about the Art Institute or a tour, call (909) 915-2100.