This document discusses Joanna Pollock's experience exploring an interior design career through job shadowing opportunities and work experience. As a child, she attended "take your child to work day" at her mother's drapery factory, sparking her interest. Later experiences like interviewing an interior decorator and job shadowing reinforced her passion. The document outlines the skills and education needed for the career and Joanna's qualifications. It concludes by expressing her decision to pursue interior design using the existing resources and name recognition of her family's business.

1. By: Joanna Pollock
Class of 2014
Graduation Project

2.  When I was 12 years old, I attended “Take your child to work day with
my mother” at the family Business Lachina Drapery & Blinds Factory
 Whole new experience for me, a real eye catcher
Developing New Skills:
Working with Answering the Assisting
Drawing Decorating
colors phones Customers
From that day on I knew I wanted to
become an Interior Designer!

3.  After completing endless surveys and questionnaires', I was sure
that Interior design was the option for me.
 In order to become a successful Interior designer I realized it
takes…
 A lot of practice
 Drawing skills
 Business Skills
 Cliental build up
 Education
 Hands on skills such as drawing
 Eye for color, designs, patterns
 Someone up to date on the latest styles, and fashion.

4. After completing the following my career really stood out.
Employee Interview
 Job Shadow
After setting up an Interview at Today’s Home with Pam
Employee Interview: Settina, she emailed me back with a thorough explanation on
a normal day of designing, how to build cliental, how to
make a business successful, proper etquite, and how to sell.
She also sent me a power point called “50 ways to be a
successful designer”
- Pam said a quote that never left my mind “A heart filled
with design can take you can anywhere”.
Pam Settina
Interior Decorator
Designer at Todays Home
33 years

5. After completing the following my career really stood out.
• Employee Interview
 Job Shadow
On the day of the Job Shadow:
- Took measurements
- Helped Customers
- Compared & Contrasted her
business to my mom’s
- Answered the phones
Message from the owner of Draperies by - Helped in the factory
Susan: - Went on an installment job
"I’ve always known that it takes referrals and - Gained a ton of knowledge
repeat clients to build a successful business. I
am very proud to have consistently achieved
that goal. It is very important to me that when
we finish a project, we gain a loyal customer
who is thoroughly happy with our service and
would enthusiastically recommend us to
friends and family. I have them to thank for our
continued success."

6. - Future Business Leaders of America – 1 year (interact with variety of
different people, business)
- Student Council – 1 year (interacted with variety of people to make
changes through a students eye)
- St. Clair Hospital – 5 years (Variety of different task’s, and small jobs,
worked in many doctor offices, etc)
- Supercuts – 2 years (Receptionist, learned a lot of responbilites,
knowledge, hair advice & tips)
- -Lachina Drapery & Blinds Factory – 5 years (Small tasks, receptionist,
sales woman, worked in the factory, organized, etc.
- -Worked home shows, drapery shows in Pittsburgh
- -Magic of the moment award (for one of the photo’s of drapes, I
submitted).
- Technician: PJAS (helped students, great learning skills).

7.  I attended the Media & Communication Career fair
 I took a ton of notes, asked a vary of questions
 Writing my reflection was very easy because of taking media classes throughout high
school.
 Asked a lot of questions about advertisements, how to capture the best shot of certain
room colors, etc.
 A lot of refresh from what I learned throughout Media

8.  My career speech tied in with this project because I did the same topic,
and gained a lot of valuable information for my future.
 A lot of building blocks on how to be successful in the business & design
world.
 Helped my decisions in so many ways, and made interior design very
clear, and that was the option for me.

9.  For my classroom project I chose to use something I made in Media II Photography class by
Mrs. Boni, called the photography portfolio. I chose this because I spent a ton of time on it, it
ties into my career choice, and the fair I attended. It’s also very meaningful not only to me, but
to my mom, and it makes her proud that someone wants to continue with the business.

10.  Choosing Interior Design was an easy decision,
and a great one because I have a known name
in Pittsburgh, a building, a staff, factory,
quality.
 I’m so excited to see what the future of design
holds.