Three students from Purdue University's Interior Architecture program in Indianapolis traveled to Dallas to participate in the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) SHIFT Student Conference.
The IIDA Indiana Chapter selected Kaatje Chesson, Karen Garcia, and Audrey Rittenhouse to attend the professional development event from Feb. 11-13.
The annual conference connects students with the design profession through an industry expo, portfolio reviews, mock interviews, and tours of local firms. It also features a competitive design charrette. Garcia and her team placed third overall in this timed design challenge.
Garcia said the conference provided a valuable link between academic coursework and professional practice.
"The best part of the conference for me was getting to hear directly from professionals in the design industry about how they navigate collaboration, adaptability and emerging trends," Garcia said. "It felt both inspiring and very relevant to where we are as students preparing to enter the field."
Rittenhouse pointed to the networking opportunities as a major highlight of the trip.
"It was incredibly motivating to learn about real career paths, hear honest advice from industry professionals, and have conversations with peers who share the same passion for design," Rittenhouse said.
The students credited the Interior Architecture program for supporting their participation in national industry events.
"IIDA and the support from my program have given me so many opportunities to learn and grow, and experiences like SHIFT really show how Purdue in Indianapolis goes beyond the classroom," Rittenhouse added. "I love that we are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities in our field and grow outside of traditional coursework."
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