Chicago - The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) allows students to experience a day they won't forget. IIDA officials recently announced its plan for its 6th Annual Student Mentoring Week, February 4-8, 2008. Student Mentoring Week is the result of IIDA's continued effort to acknowledge the important role that students play in furthering the design industry.
Mentoring Week will be an international effort to encourage Student Members to gain first-hand, day-in-the-life experience of interior design. Members of the Association have called mentoring week an excellent approach to utilize the knowledge of its Professional Members. It also provides a supportive link from campus life to the work force, as students gain valuable knowledge that can propel them forward in a competitive job market.
IIDA Student Members will apply in pairs. The pairs will be matched with a design professional that practices in the area of the student's career aspiration and near their geographic location. A mutually compatible day for the student and the mentor will be chosen during the specified dates to allow for flexibility. The spring issue of Custom, the IIDA student newsletter, will feature mentoring experiences from this week. IIDA Chapters are also planning student targeted programming in conjunction with Mentoring Week.
"The Association believes the partnership of mentoring adds practical value to the student experience and encourages and supports innovative ideas in interior design. Setting aside a week to acknowledge the importance of mentoring on an international level is practical and essential to establishing a strong profession," states Cheryl Durst, IIDA EVP/CEO.
If you are interested in participating in Mentoring Week as a mentor or a Student Member, contact Christa Koskosky at (312) 467-1950 or [email protected].
The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) works to enhance quality of life through excellence in interior design and to advance interior design through knowledge, value and community. IIDA is a professional networking and educational association of 13,000 Members in nine specialty Forums in 30 Chapters around the world. Additional information is available on IIDA's Web site at www.iida.org.
