Drishti Chandan

Major: Interior Design

Interior Design Intern at Studio Osmosis

How did you learn about this internship opportunity?

I saw their firm in a few magazines and applied with my portfolio through an email.

What is a piece of advice you would give someone in your major looking for an internship?

Apply to firms with a great learning environment and encouraging towards students. Smaller firms make it possible to be more involved and get a more hands-on experience.

What key responsibilities or projects have you taken on during your internship?

I was one of the two who was handling two projects - a renovation of a vintage, art deco style home and a project from scatch of an elegant and luxurious home. I assisted other designers in making drawings in AutoCAD and 3d models in SketchUp. Also got to pitch my own ideas and develop mood boards with the partners at the firm for upcoming projects and help in storytelling.

How has your internship helped build your skills and clarify your career goals? How did being a Liberal Arts student at Purdue apply to your internship?

It has helped me develop more confidence in communication and storytelling and being able to market my idea to the client. It has also pointed me in the right direction of continuing on the intentional path of Interior Design where every choice has a purpose. Being a Liberal Arts student helped me think critically, use my problem solving skills and communicate my ideas with confidence and clarity. I gained more confidence in presenting my concepts and pitching my creative ideas directly to the partners. It also made me realise its okay to not know everything. That the journey of learning does not come to an end and you learn from everyone around you and vice versa.

In what ways has the College of Liberal Arts at Purdue University supported your internship journey? How has your participation in our Job-Ready program specifically aided your professional development?

Being a CLA student I felt that the gap between creative design and execution was bridged. I was able to integrate design theories into real world application. Purdue's strong reputation was also something that gained trust amongst partners. It cultivated a broad perspective historically and the way I was willing to learn about things I didn't previously know. The Job-Ready program allowed me to fully concentrate on my learnings at the internship without any pressure since it was unpaid. As a CLA student I was more eager to ask questions like the "Why" behind the "What" that shifted design from just aesthetics to human centred and purposeful problem solving. This recognition also overall pushed and encouraged me to continue to work on my skills and grow as a designer.

Could you highlight a standout aspect of your experience in the Job-Ready program that you find particularly noteworthy?

The most standout aspect was how my focus was on creative and professional experience. It allowed 100% commitment and made a great impact on my dedication to this internship. Even the encouragement and check ins from the team at the Job-Ready program was very supportive. I think it also validates your worth as a CLA student, proving Purdue invests heavily in your real world readiness.