Qualifications but can't get a career:Advice needed for interior design job/career

kitty123

Hi,
I am writing on behalf of my sister. She is 29 and graduated 7 years ago with an arts textiles degree. She has since done an HNC in interior design and other related qualifications.

She has had to work in retail since her graduation because nobody will take her on to do any interior design/visual merchandising/card design job without experience. Retail is so poorly paid that she cannot afford to buy a house or save any money. She is overdrawn most months. She is so depressed in her current job where she is having to work as the manager of a paint/tile shop.

She lives in Bristol and has searched the job papers/internet for any apprentice/junior positions but no interior design jobs ever seem to come up. She is a member of the interior design society etc. She has done work experience with events companies and has a great portfolio of work.

She is not an administrative or technical person so cannot do computer based design or temping PA jobs to get into any arts companies.

She hand makes cards in her "spare" time but this has never taken off due to the competition. She is also not confident enough to start her own business.

Can anyone suggest a way into this field of work or any hints?

Nile

Hello kitty123

I'll move your thread to the 'Benefits, Tax Credits & Jobseeking' board.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]!!!!!![/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile

kitty123

OK thanks, I wasn't sure where to put it!

Tigger36

In my experience, most Interior Designers are Freelance. The competition is very strong and their main source of work is freelance projects. She has a good portfolio so this shouldn't be a major problem. Even though she doesn't feel confident to go self-employed, she could take on some projects over and above her current employment in order to build up further experience. I know a few people who have done this to gain more confidence and they are now running a successful business. It won't happen overnight but if she registers with some freelance sites then she may find some small projects she feels comfortable with.