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CARTA School of Architecture ranked no. 16 among public universities in the U.S. by QS World Rankings 2022
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0-3 CREDIT INTERNSHIP COURSES = EARLY ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
Experience pays off
of employers look for college grads with internship experience
of grads who intern receive a full-time job offer from their internship
of students who intern receive a full-time job offer before graduation
-National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
“With a bachelor’s degree in Architecture, I decided to do an internship in an interior design office, an odd decision at the time. However, this opportunity defined my love for interiors. This experience paved all my professional decisions to become what I admired the most. Nowadays, I own an interior design studio, and I’m grateful for all the mentors I had throughout my career, particularly with my first boss, an architect who loved doing interiors. He gave me the first glimpse of what later became my passion: interior design!”
“As an interior design student, I had the pleasure of gaining real life work experience through the internship program. As an intern, I was able to utilize my educational and technical training for design projects and work with other design professionals. This exposure elevated my skills and opened the door to network.”
More FIU internship testimonials
“I came to the United States in 2015. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design with a focus in Interiors and Furniture Design, and most of my experience is in Interiors. Being able to practice while I’m studying is something that increases my creative thinking; it’s a challenge where I have to radically change the way I’m thinking about something. It has helped me to organize my schedule. Being at such a big company with a great culture is the best thing so far. I have the best colleagues. I’ve been able to work on projects with tremendous impact; that is something pretty cool.”
“The advice that I have for the students who are beginning the internship process is: be curious, be open to new point of views, be humble, and be persistent. Everyday, I need to prove myself in the ‘real world,’ especially because it gets more competitive every day, that’s why I see the internship as a ‘safe place.’ The internship is a place to learn from more experienced people, test your skills, and share information, preparing you for what you are going to face after your degree.”
“Doing an internship during school not only gave me credits towards my degree; it helped me to become more familiar with a studio setting outside of school. Working in the materials library and interacting with representatives and manufacturers helped add to my knowledge and build connections within the South Florida design community. The firm also provided me with more hands on tasks, such as aiding in re-selections for materials and FF&E on high-end hospitality projects, which provided an even more exciting experience.”
Career resources
PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING: INTERIOR DESIGNER VS. INTERIOR DECORATOR
“Interior design is the art and science of understanding people’s behavior to create functional spaces within a building.
Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things.
IN SHORT, INTERIOR DESIGNERS MAY DECORATE, BUT DECORATORS DO NOT DESIGN.”
– CDIQ
CAREER EVENTS
The FIU School of Architecture hosts two signature career events each Spring semester: the Designers Engage, Empower, Emerge (D3E) Student Conference, and the Career Fair. In addition, throughout the year, our CARTA Career Specialists provide workshops on a wide variety of topics, professionals present, and professional organizations host networking and other career-related events.
D3E STUDENT CONFERENCE
D3E (Designers Engage, Empower, Emerge) is a conference that brings together students, design professionals, educators and manufacturers’ representatives for a variety of workshops that educate students about different career paths within the industry, give them opportunities to receive feedback on their portfolios and resumes, and introduce them to cutting-edge ideas that encourage them to rethink the way they design.
CAREER FAIR
FIU’s School of Architecture (SOA) Career Fair provides graduating students with opportunities to engage and interview with top employers in Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Landscape Architecture + Environmental and Urban Design.
OTHER CAREER EVENTS + WORKSHOPS
FIU’s Department of Career and Talent Development offers a wide range of career events and workshops throughout the year. Learn more about upcoming events, or reach out to your CARTA Career Specialists to schedule a customized workshop for your student group or class.
SCHOLARSHIPS
FIU Interior Architecture students have a proven track record of winning national, local, design- and merit-based scholarships. Some opportunities are integrated into the curriculum, while others are shared with students who then submit applications.
Remember- you can’t win if you don’t apply!
FESTIVAL OF THE TREES
The Festival of the Trees is an annual fundraising event coordinated by FIU’s Interior Architecture Department and its advisory board. Each year, the FIU Interior Architecture Department awards student scholarships for travel and outstanding achievement in design. Scholarship eligibility varies and is announced by the department each semester.
PROFESSIONAL EXAMS & REGISTRATION
The FIU Interior Architecture Department is tuned-in to the current state of our profession. We prepare students to get a leg up on the competition by earning professional credentials and/or preparing for professional exams and registration while in school.
LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE EXAM
FIU Interior Architecture prepares students to take the LEED Green Associate Exam in the required course, IND 5628 Sustainable Practices in Interior Architecture. Those who successfully pass the exam prior to graduation are eligible for exam fee reimbursement through the LEED Green Associate Achievement Award.
NCIDQ EXAM
Want to fast track your NCIDQ Certification & stand out to potential employers? FIU Interior Architecture students can take the Fundamentals section (IDFX) of the NCIDQ Examination (administered by the Council for Interior Design Qualification) BEFORE obtaining work experience!
STATE OF FLORIDA REGISTRATION
“Professional registration protects the health and safety of the public from fraudulent, unqualified and unethical practitioners. Each state and jurisdiction has its own specific rules for regulatory compliance.” (cdiq.org) Individuals who pass the NCIDQ exam are eligible to apply for professional registration as an Interior Designer in the State of Florida.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
As the old saying goes, “It’s not [only] what you know, it’s who you know.” Join and/or volunteer for a professional organization to connect with industry professionals, gain leadership skills, expand your network and build your resume. You never know who you could meet and where that connection could take your career. Most organizations offer students reduced or free membership dues as well as many additional benefits. Join today!
OTHER STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS + CLUBS
Participating in student organizations builds community as well as your resume. Learn more about the student organizations and clubs represented at FIU.
SALARY GUIDES
Know your worth! Discover the value of your credentials and plan your next career move with easy-to-use tools.
Average full-time entry-level salary for 2019
FIU Interior Architecture graduates = $51,928,
the highest of all FL state universitiesFlorida Department of Education, 2018-2019 report
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