Name: Roxana Lifshitz
Hometown: Plantation, FL
Degree/Major: Interior Architecture
Where did you intern? What did you do there?
I currently intern at Yarn Design Associates in Boca Raton, FL. I have had the opportunity to work on realistic projects, rendering custom mill-work and furniture, schedules for vendors, site visits and client presentations.
How did you get your internship?
I received an email from one of my professors letting my class know that this internship was available, so I decided to apply. They contacted me with some questions and after I responded, they offered me the internship.
What advice do you have for those beginning the internship process?
Don’t be afraid to do your first internship. You would learn and realize you are more capable than you think.
What projects did you work on?
I’ve worked on renderings for the owner’s new office space, renderings and measurements for a residential remodels and schedules, and renderings, measurements, and client presentations for an international project in the Cayman Islands.
How did your internship connect back to your coursework?
It was a hands-on experience on what I’ve learn at school since space planning, furniture plan, picking materials all the way to a client presentation. Plus, all the things I learned about owning a business and issues that come along the entire design process.
What was the coolest thing about your internship or that happened during your internship?
The coolest thing about the internship is that I got to work on real life projects.
What did you like most about your experience?
I liked that I got to work on real projects and work closely with the owner and designer.
How did the position increase your professional confidence?
Working for a small firm gave me a full perspective of how a business work and how the interior design business works. This gave me confidence to work on my own in the future.
How did you expand your professional network?
I have expanded my professional network by getting to know the people involved in the design process and calling and arranging meetings with vendors and representatives.
How did it help you prove yourself in the “real-world?”
By completing the jobs assigned to me on time, as well as meeting the owner’s expectations on those jobs or projects.
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