HIGH POINT, N.C. — More than 100 students from 11 colleges and universities and High Point Central High School explored careers across the home furnishings industry during WithIt’s Student Mentoring Day on Oct. 21 at High Point Market. Through discussions with industry professionals and guided showroom tours, students gained firsthand insight into the businesses, products and career opportunities that extend well beyond interior design.
The program brought students together with furniture manufacturers, retailers, designers and other professionals for candid discussions about career paths, industry expectations and the skills needed to succeed. Showroom visits offered a closer look at how home furnishings products are developed, marketed and sold.
Keynote speaker David Santiago, founder of Casa Santi, shared his unconventional path into interior design, including lessons learned while establishing himself in the industry. His message emphasized the knowledge, discipline and persistence required to build a career.
“It’s important to have a real, honest discussion about the journey, and there are no shortcuts,” Santiago said. “You have to study, be well-versed, and take advantage of the opportunities to prove yourselves and flourish while doing it. The sweat equity is real; integrity is vital, and most important is the experience you gain and the way you evolve with it.”
Following the keynote, students participated in small-group roundtable discussions with industry professionals who shared their experiences building careers in design, manufacturing, retail and related fields. Conversations went beyond job descriptions to address finding a professional niche, recognizing individual strengths, developing client relationships and understanding the role of branding and professional connections in building a career.
Industry professionals then led students on tours of High Point Market showrooms, where they learned more about the companies, products and business operations behind the furnishings industry. Among the many stops were Alder & Tweed Furniture, Ann Gish & The Art of Home, Howard Elliott, Meridian Furniture, Norwalk Furniture, Quorum and Sarreid Ltd. Students also toured Interhall at the International Home Furnishings Center.
At Ann Gish & The Art of Home, students explored how art, history and cultural influences shape textile collections, including designs inspired by museum collections and objects. At Meridian Furniture, they learned about furniture selection and how individual pieces contribute to residential interiors. The visits offered practical examples of the decisions involved in designing and presenting home furnishings.
Professionals from furniture manufacturing, retail, interior design, textiles, education and other fields volunteered as roundtable moderators and showroom tour guides, discussing their careers and answering students’ questions.
Participating volunteers included Tim Newlin of Norwalk Furniture; Sydney Harris and Kiersten Garland of Furnitureland South; Christina O’Brien of Kuka Home; Bree Cassidy of Howard Elliott; Ceci Flores of Sunbrella; Serena Martin of 24/7 Creative; Morgan March of Wildwood Home; Bonnie Wallace of the Interior Design Society; Mary Knackstedt of Knackstedt Inc.; Karyn Reilly of Forsyth Technical Community College; Clint Craven of Sherwin-Williams; Kristen Drayton of Bassett Mirror; and Valerie Williams of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Other volunteers included Jane Nichols of High Point University and Nichols + Rose — Decorating Den Interiors; Tarah Jakubiak of Alendel Fabrics; Logan Avidon of Andmore; Ellen Gefen of The Home; Renee Loper-Boyd of THS Creative; Mary Cranford; and Cheryl Dobbins Hege of WithIt. Several volunteers served in multiple roles throughout the day.
“For many of these students, High Point Market is their first opportunity to see just how many career paths exist within our industry, and what they are studying can be used in many ways they hadn’t explored yet.” said Amy Van Dorp, executive director of WithIt. “Seeing professionals share their experiences and encourage the next generation is what makes this day meaningful. A single conversation can open a door a student never knew existed.”
Lunch at Broad Hall gave students another perspective on the industry through the development of the space itself. Christi Spangle, co-founder and partner of Barbour Spangle Design, discussed the firm’s work designing the space for the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Design Hub at High Point Market. She discussed the challenges, design decisions and coordination involved in developing the space, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at how a showroom project comes together.
Participating colleges and universities included Appalachian State University, Central Piedmont Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, High Point University, Meredith College, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina State University, Salem College, UNC Greensboro, Wake Technical Community College and the University of Utah. Students from High Point Central High School also participated through High Point Schools Partnership.
