Salem College Design Students Gain Real-World Experience at High Point Market and Future Designers Summit

“For me, the greatest reward is seeing our students move beyond the design studio and find their place in the industry.” – Dr. Rosa Otero

It’s been a busy semester for Salem College’s interior design students! Through attendance at High Point Market and participation in the Future Designers Summit, Salem students are gaining firsthand exposure to the professional design industry and connecting their classroom education to real-world careers. Salem’s proximity to one of the world’s leading furniture and interior design centers provides remarkable opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and build valuable, lifelong connections with peers and industry professionals.

“Every time I take our Salem College students to High Point Market, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to have one of the world’s most important and prestigious home furnishings trade shows right in our area. These visits give students a chance to experience the industry firsthand, connect what they are learning in the design studio to real-world applications, and develop relationships that can lead to professional opportunities,” said Dr. Rosa Otero, Salem College professor of design and division chair, Arts and Humanities.

One example is Salem College senior Sabrina Ayala-Carrillo, who secured an internship with American Leather during a visit to High Point Market last year. That internship eventually led to a full-time position with the company while she completes her degree.

During this year’s visit to the High Point Market, Sabrina gave her fellow students a tour of the American Leather showroom on the fifth floor of Showplace. She introduced them to the furniture collections on display. She shared her behind-the-scenes experience developing the space and floor plans to make the showroom both functional and visually appealing. “It was especially rewarding to see one of our students applying what she has learned in the classroom to real-world design challenges while sharing her professional experiences with her classmates,” said Dr. Otero.

Another exciting annual event in High Point is the Future Designers Summit, which brings together no more than 40 design students to learn from and connect with industry experts. Selection to attend is competitive, and this year, junior student-athlete Brieanna Wilson was selected to participate. 

Brieanna’s time at the summit was invaluable, particularly the opportunities to develop her professional and creative skills. “I am bringing back valuable networking skills, including learning how to naturally join conversations and become more comfortable connecting with professionals. I also learned how to think on my feet, use my surroundings as inspiration to create a product, and develop ways to market it,” she said.

The experience also broadened Brieanna’s understanding of opportunities available to her after graduation. “I was surprised by the variety of career paths available within the design industry. I also learned that there is always room for improvement, whether through working on projects or focusing on personal growth,” she said.

Both the High Point Market and the Future Designers Summit provide Salem College students with valuable experience to learn more about the industry and envision their future careers. Through these experiences, students like Sabrina and Brieanna build confidence, develop professional relationships, and bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world, preparing them to take the next steps in their careers.