Title: Research careers in the interior design profession.
Course: Interior Design I (19263-I) > Section: Examining Careers and Professional Practices

Research should include examination of the influence of interior design occupations on local, state, national, and global economies and descriptions of career opportunities, including

- entrepreneurship options
- preparation necessary for employment, including education from an accredited postsecondary institution, training, internship, licensure at the state level, or credentialing requirements such as those from
  - Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) (an entity that accredits interior design degree programs at postsecondary institutions)
  - Council for Interior Design Qualifications (CIDQ)
- professional responsibilities and duties
- salary projections
- opportunities for advancement
- benefits and disadvantages
- employment trends
- licensure as a certified interior designer (see the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation [DPOR]).

Career research should include using a variety of resources (e.g., Occupation Outlook Handbook, Directory of Occupational Titles, Guide for Occupational Exploration) and matching an individual’s abilities, interests, aptitudes, and job expectations with industry standards and expectations.

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What information is available concerning careers in the interior design profession?
- Why is it important to analyze the information gathered about careers?
- What is most important in choosing a career: family influence, personal attributes, or income potential? Why?

Communication

- What communication skills are necessary for gathering and evaluating career information?
- What communication skills are necessary for a career in this profession?
- How does one evaluate the benefits and disadvantages of a career?

Leadership

- What leadership qualities are necessary for success in the interior design industry?
- What is an effective decision-making process to use when gathering and evaluating career information?
- What strategies could be used to bring about desirable changes in the public’s perception of interior design professionals?

Management

- What are some Internet resources available to match aptitudes, interests, and abilities with career opportunities?
- What management skills are involved in a search for career information?
- How might housing, interiors, and furnishings-related occupations influence local, state, national, or global economies?