May I suggest a targeted resume emphasizing when in your office you have re-designed (from office-wide to personal space) to more ergonomic or just more aesthetically pleasing nature.

Maybe interior designer firms are a bit off in the future, try maybe accumulating some volunteer experience for weekends at more creative institutions such as your local art gallery.

Getting a professional-looking blog to showcase your work and connect with the design community might help too...

You might try calling to see if you can get an informational interview at one of the firms to get advice - these places are probably getting tons of resumes, and design students will be at the top of the list for the internships. You could visit your favorite smaller design studios to see if they'd be willing to let you shadow for a day or two.

For your photos/case studies, creating a blog would be a free and easy way to showcase your work/interests so far.

I'm not in interior design, but I can say right off the bat if a 23 year old came to me and said they were making a career switch from investment banking to interior design and did I want to teach them the ropes, I'd say no thanks.

That's because at the best of times internships cost an employer. Its not "free help" because someone senior needs to train you, and you can't be trusted to do things well, so then there's time taken to supervise you, and time taken to explain what you need to improve, and it can be exhausting. I have interns and they're a total mixed blessing. And in this economy, its a buyer's market. Any place that can take you as intern could take someone who just finished an MA in interior design, just as easily.

In addition at 23 you are young to be completely changing courses. When you say "former investment banker" as an employer I read that as, "wow they spent 2 years in banking post college and now are changing courses. How can I know that this person is serious about this profession? Why should I invest time in a twenty something who doesn't know what she wants, doesn't stick it out?"

So that's the bad news. I don't mean this to be discouraging, but you do need to be realistic about the major barriers that are out there right now for everyone, and then specifically for you.

I recommend the informational interview as a good start. Start making contacts with interior designers not to ask for a job, but to learn about the profession and their career paths. Ask people if you can take them to lunch and learn how they broke into the field, what they were surprised to learn about the job after they had it, etc. Act professional, tell them a bit about your passion, and speak honestly about your reasons for coming to this career. People love to give advice, and they are almost always flattered by this kind of approach. Do not hit them up for a job, but do keep them as contacts, do thank them for their time and do ask them if there are other people they know for you to talk to. That way they remember you if they do have a need, and you'll be building a network.

Then take their advice. Take classes, read books, do what they recommend. Start decorating places on your own and documenting it, build a portfolio. Volunteer in parallel places like motrealjames said and THEN you will be in a good position to be useful to someone.

The number one thing I learned from supervising other people is that most people will do the letter of what you ask them to do, but its the person who thinks outside the box, to the "why" of what you need done who is worth hiring- because that person will anticipate your moves, will fine tune their work, will learn from their mistakes. And that is way more important than technical skills, which can be taught. If you can be the sort of person who teaches themselves and finds multiple ways to a solution, you will be infinitely more valuable than someone who thinks in one direction.

I would be 100% honest in your cover letter and say that you are wanting to do a career change and being able to intern or volunteer under a designer to learn the process of design would be highly valuable to you. I would also stress that while you do not have formal training in the field of interior design, you do indeed possess keen eye for design, creativity and most importantly passion. You may not get a paying gig or anything that requires you to do drafting assistance or really hands on, but even if you can shadow a designer (stick to smaller boutique mom/pop designers, not big firms as they tend to be very deadline driven and swamped) it would get you to see the process behind the beauty.

I also recommend going to the design center and ask the different showrooms for internship possibilities. Working where designers purchase their fabric/furniture is a big wake up call and gives you the knowledge to pursue an assistant position for a designer.

Just a word of caution though, This economy has really hit hard on designers and the industry. Many people have been laid off and shops have folded. It will be difficult but if you don't require payment and you are just there to learn, i think you can succeed.

i had a friend make a career switch from the nonprofit world to design and she did it by taking a few part-time jobs in different boutiques in the dc area. while she was technically doing retail for a while, she was able to make contacts and build her portfolio. in less than a year it led her to a job at a small firm and design school. (p.s. she's much happier in her work now than she was before. if this is what you really love, good for you for going for it!)

From a design student, you may want to look into getting a degree or entering into a grad school if you have a bachelors. Resumes don't really work in this industry trust me, firms get tons of them and don't pay them any attention. If you are from Chicago you may want to go the Mart, thats an easy way to get started by just asking around any showrooms to see if they are hiring. Even if you go to school for one semester, you can join student chapters of the IIDA or AIDA. And thats and excellent way to volunteer for after hours events and get a chance to network!!!

You might also want to try large architecture firms that have in-house interior design departments. The firm I work recently had an interiors intern that we just hired full-time. She's young and doesn't have that much experience, but she's eager and hard working.

Good luck!

I hate to be a bearer of bad news, but this is a HORRIBLE time to try and switch careers, let alone into a declining field. As a laid off architect without work for almost a year now, I can tell you first hand that you will have very little luck unless you are willing to work for free and even still, slim chances. I do not know of one design firm that has not been affected by the economy and did not have to make serious adjustments (lay-offs, furlow, pay-cuts, etc.) Many are trying to keep their heads above water right now and even more individuals that have training and experience can't get their feet in the door anymore.

I have even considered changing career paths for a while, but do not have exactly the right qualifications to be, say, a graphic designer that others without work do, nor should I be trying to take their limited jobs. In any declining industry, you wouldn't want someone less qualified to try and steal your job, right?

That being said, do not just flat out give up on your passion. When things pick up, yes, go for it, but now you need to brush up on what can to make you stand out in the future. You need to volunteer for places like Habitat for Humanity and put yourself into networking situations. You could also try something that may lead you into an interior design path, maybe working in sales at a designer furniture store or event planning will give you the familiarity and confidence to walk into the design field.

Best of luck!

Take some classes at your local community college, and highlight them on your resume and portfolio of projects. This shows you are serious about the change and have dipped your feet into market so have some applicable skill. Most professors/lecturers work in the field so you have an instant network to find internships from.

Work your network to find design firms big and small that you can tour and do informational interviews with. You will learn a ton, get your face out there, and maybe find something. Its easier to get in the door when not asking for a job, but that could come later.

Solicit friends and give them design advice on their apartments. Do design boards, and take before and after picts to add to your portfolio. Their friends will ask you to do their places and all of a sudden you have your own interiors business.

Learn Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. These are substantial programs in design offices.

As a 24 year old artist, I hate the question "Do you really need to go to school for that?" As someone who has a creative degree, the answer is yes. I have a feeling that design is similar to painting. Yes, anyone can make something that looks nice, but to really understand the principles and economics of the field... you need the degree. If this was a letter from a designer who wanted to get into Investment Banking, the answer would be the same. It's an employer's market out there, give yourself a leg up!

As an Architect who is married to an Interior Designer:

hawaiianryan said it best, these are dog days for the industry, don't take it personally! There is an over supply of incredibly designed spaces at the moment, clients aren't shelling out for the 'next-great-space'. I do recommend networking your tail off, and learning as much about the industry as you possibly can. Seek out firms whose work you highly respect, speak with employees and understand what a typical day looks like. The more thorough understanding you have of the industry, its vocabulary, its technical software requirements, the better chance you have to break in.

Good luck!

honestly, you're 23 and have a banking education. stick with THAT as your career. design on the side.

money might not be the only thing you need for happiness but if you're broke you won't be too happy.

As an Interior Designer for 12 years the most important advice - Go to back to school. As a few others have commented, Interior Design is a professional industry. One that in many states is regulated and you need to have certification to even call yourself a designer. Being a designer is very different from a decorator. Having a design degree is so much more then the ability to pull together fun fabrics and paint colors. There are things that you will learn through an accredited design program, in the way of codes, health, welfare and safety. It is not the glamorous part about interior design, but a very necessary part.

Really - finance to design?????? I get that you've got a creative streak, but have you spoken with designers - that's architects, interior designers or graphic designers? Rigor is required to be successful at design and you are constantly surrounded by people who want more more more because design is never done. You never finish - you just hit the deadline. Our 60 hour weeks are nothing to a 80-90 hour finance job, but we never make up the salary either. Take it from an architect - we don't get paid much and interior designers get paid much less. The above post was right, being broke gets old. All the headaches aside - the only thing in the world I want to do is design and work in a creative field. Are you willing to trade?

You must go back to school and get a few semesters in before a design firm even considers you for an internship. I see ads for design internships all the time and every single one of them requires that you know something like Autocad or another skill that you will need to learn by going to school. Don't listen to those who are saying stick to finance. If design is what you are passionate about - go for it. However, you should attend school part time nights, keep your finance job to pay for it and save your money 'cause when and if you graduate, your new salary will be chump change for quite some time.

As someone who works in the design field, all I can tell you is yes, you NEED some training. A degree isn't just a "nice to have"- it is a MUST have. At my firm, we toss resumes all the time from people who have the requisite education and experience for entry level jobs. What makes you think you can just jump into a position with no background over those who have put in their time and effort into an education in the field? Honestly, as an employer I would be annoyed at best and offended at worst at the implication.

The good news is this would be the perfect time to go back to school, with the economy being what it is and all. Maybe by the time you graduate, the design job prospects won't be quite so grim. Good luck!

The interns we hired when I used to work for an interior designer were all un-paid students, usually near graduation. If you are serious about being an interior designer, you need to get a degree in it. If you want to practice it on a professional level you need to be certified in it. The test is an insanely rigorous and technical exam... Much of what interior designers do is space planning and now that being "green" is so important to clients, LEED certification is just another hurdle you must clear. It's more than just aesthetic decorating!

Yes, it is very hard to break into any new job right now - especially if it is not your field of expertise - but you shouldn't let that or this economy stifle your desire. I agree with those who gave advice on building your network. In most cases, who you know gets you in the door over a degree - especially right now. I work as a designer for a clothing label that employs about 40-45 people in creative positions (that number was closer to 100 a year ago). The breakdown of who actually received a degree for the position they hold or the field they are in is probably just a little more than half, yet they are all professionals and excel at their work (of course, they are some of the hardest workers as well).

If want to be a decorator - building your network is fine. If you want to be a designer, get a degree and build a portfolio. A resume might get you in the door... if you've designed it well. But the only that's going to get you a job, is a portfolio. I don't know what the unemployment rate is for interior people, but architects are about 22%.

Software: our interior designers use Revit, AutoCAD, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign. Gluing stuff on boards is about 5% of what they do.

At the very least, if you aren't going to go back for a full-time degree in design right away, look into continuing education classes at your local art/design school.

I don't know where you're writing from, but in the Washington, DC area, the Corcoran College of Art Design (full disclosure: I work for the Corcoran Gallery of Art) has a massive CE program that's great for busy people with full-time jobs:

http://www.corcoran.edu/continuing_education/index.php

Good luck, but as someone who has a degree in architecture and still can't find an internship, I know the field is really hard to get into right now. Very few of my colleagues, with impressive resumes, have been able to secure even an unpaid internship.

As fabulissme suggested start a blog. Could you stay with banking and do a part time course? Not the financial climate to burn your bridges in.

I think melissaann and e6 were spot on. Yesterday's Dr. Phil was about the "me" generation: young people with a strong sense of entitlement! Not that you shouldn't follow your dreams, but you should know that talent alone is not enough, you need to earn the skills and education that other young designers will have, and you need connections to the industry as many have said. If you're not ready to get into more student debt, then keep your job and save for your education for a couple of years, maybe even get an evening job working in a furniture shop or volunteer somewhere related to the field. You're only 23- there's lots of time to work towards your dream job. But it must be kind of insulting to people who train hard to get into the field when you think you can just cross over with no professional skills or experience.

I went through a similar experience. At 26 I had what I call my "quarter life crisis" and freaked out that 10 years of preparing for a career in law enforcement was for nothing. I kept my day job and took interior design classes at night and on the weekends. Even if you have the talent for design, it's important to have the knowledge to explain your design rationale to a client. Before someone is going to hand over their money, you need to be able to establish yourself as an expert and that requires the education. And the good news is that your education in investment banking is going to provide you with some skills you'll need as a designer. It's not all about making rooms pretty--you have to be able to convince someone to pay you to do it. Good luck!
Christine
www.christineschwalmdesign.com

ps-build a website to help market your skills now.

I think you might be confusing interior decorating with interior designing. To become an interior designer, most states in the U.S. (remaining states are campaigning for the legislation) require by law that you go to a school with a 4 year accredited program, work for 2 years in the field, and pass the NCIDQ examination before you can obtain the title of "interior designer." As a senior level interior design student myself, I know 4th year students who have fabulous resumes and still can't get an unpaid internship. It seems very few businesses are willing to invest time into training someone they aren't looking to hire.

My suggestion would be to start interior design school now, and by the time you are in your 4th year and ready for an internship, maybe the market will have turned around a bit. But in any case, you seriously need to have training. Interior designers are responsible for the life, safety, and welfare of the community rather than just making it a prettier place to be.

Lots of good advice from the posters above me, I just want to offer my two cents.

First off, congrats on knowing what it is you want to do with your life--I was 24 when I made the switch to Interior Design. Even though I had a degree from a well known university, I went back to school to get a degree in Interior Design. The reason? Interior Designers are licensced professionals who deal not only with the aesthetics of interior space, but also the practical and life-safety issues as well. In order to legally call yourself and interior designer, you must have a certain amount of education and experience (usually a 4-year design degree plus 2 full years of experience working with a licensed interior designer) before you even qualify to take the 2-day exam--the NCIDQ--that, if you pass, would allow you to register to become a licensed designer.

The only thing you could do without a degree and license is to be an Interior Decorator, which is a wonderful career to have as well, it's just different from being an Interior Designer. My advice would be to target firms, or even home stores that provide decorating services. Here you'll help clients with things like paint colors, fabric and furniture choices. I would avoid design firms and definitely architecture firms because they will not hire anyone--even an intern--who is not a design student or design professional.

Keep doing what you're doing--building a portfolio by decorating for friends and family--and soon enough you'll have something to show potential employers or maybe even potential clients if you decide to go it on your own.

If you decide, however, that Interior Design is your calling the following schools in Chicago have excellent design programs:

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Harrington College of Design
Columbia College

Good luck to you!

I know you don't want to get into even more debt, but at this time going to school and getting some form of degree in a design-related field is your best choice (and may be your ONLY choice) right now in particular. Even with a degree in design, it's damn near impossible to get an internship or job ANYWHERE at this time, simply because design is a commodity. A non-necessity, in many eyes.

I'm looking to make a less drastic career change now (from advertising copywriter to advertising designer), and like you I'm up to my eyeballs in debt, not wanting to venture back into school just yet. But that's going to be my plan. There are so many technical details that you don't know without getting a real design education. (There's a REASON people go to school for design, you know.) At only 23, you'd be better off in the long run if you get your design education early. Plus, any employer will instantly bump you up the list if they see that you have that education.

Not to be a bubble-popper, but that's the reality of it. Good luck and I hope you make beautiful things :)

i'm a 23 year old design assistant in a very sucessful west coast firm-- all i can say is: it's ALL about who you know. the industry is a lot about reputation; build personal and business relationships with as many people as you can.

showrooms are a great place to start if you have no experience- its cool you had pictures taken but honestly, be prepare to not be doing any actual designing for a while! exposure and experience in the industry are the biggest things to have on your resume.

meet the right people, and they'll let you in.

I wanted to thank e6 for the honest, down-to-earth response.

I got my degree in journalism and have a newspaper background. In the current state of technology, I'm really kicking myself for not taking any courses dealing with html or internet media so I can easily transition.

So, on a whim, I signed up for an Interior Decorating class online, which I happen to love. But I found out after filling out more than 10 applications for anything involving home decor (consultants at home decor stores, assistant jobs at decorating/design firms, etc.) that unless you possess any sort of retail background or the four years working toward a degree in interior design, there won't even be an interview.

But, I will say, just make sure you know the difference between Interior Decorating and Interior Designing. As I said before, Interior Designing requires a degree. Decorating can be picked up by almost anyone--I'm doing the course just to get a better feel of it so I know all the resources I have available. Although, after my course is complete, I will be a Certified Interior Decorator. I don't know how much value that'll add, though.

Good luck to you! And thanks again to e6!

Wow, this post really hit home for me. I'm 23 as well currently working in the Finance field and was thinking about switching over to the design field. But being that were in a recession I decided to hold off on the career switch for probably another year or so. Besides I have a mortgage to pay. Thanks for all the useful comments, I know what I'll be doing in another year, going back to school.

I say go for it!! But be smart about going for it. Don't quit your job cold turkey keep that. These days people are wondering when they are going to work next. Im actually doing the same thing you are x the job part. I,ve been networking my butt off,taking free classes at the Home Depot, im always in Barnes & Noble buying books and when I can't buy just reading up on the field. I've also done peoples places and taken pics. Post your work on facebook ,myspace youtube..etc. And take up classes parttime that's what im doing. But, i noticed it; about getting the right connects

You may not be able to get an internship now but it's not a bad idea to get a part-time job in a showroom or boutique. You get a lot of experience and insight that you won't get from a school. That being said, when you can afford to, sign up for classes. Interior design is a lot like graphic design in that you can learn how to use Photoshop or Quark but they are only tools not the principles.

In response to your question about sending out pictures of previous work I recommend that you create a portfolio. There are several different types but the most common are a pdf portfolio (like a book but viewable in acrobat), a website or a hardbound book version. I would create a website and business cards so that if you ever are talking with a contact you have something you can hand them and a place to direct them to if they want to see your work. A hardbound portfolio can get kind of pricey especially if you handing out your resume to several places. The most cost effective way is to create a portfolio as if you were making a book then publish it to a pdf. then burn your pdf to a cd and you will want to create a cover for it.

Best wishes to you and good luck.

I haven't read all the comments, so I apologize if this is redundant.

I would tread lightly, and I hope you haven't quit your previous job. In this economy design jobs are VERY hard to come by. People already trained in design are looking for jobs and even taking positions they are over qualified for. Realistically, very few employers would hire you when there are so many trained designers clamoring for very few jobs.

I hate to be a bummer, but that's the reality of the job market.

It sounds like Julia is unemployed, unfortunately. I would say the advice above is very strong, solid and just plain good. You have to be careful to keep the terms designer and decorator separate as they are different.

cur1ous1, only 22% unemployment? Anecdotally I hear the unemployment rate is more like 75% among architects and among those of us who are employed a lot of us are working less and being paid less (or working a lot for free with reduced wages).

Excellent advice everyone.

What I suggest to you, Julie, is that you enter the industry strategically. You must already have a degree in finance, which is going to come in handy should you decide to become a designer and possibly a project manager (when you would be in charge of creative design and budgeting/scheduling). Hold on to your current job, and use it to fund design courses from the best school that you can get into. This will also prepare you for the pressure of a design firm, where you will be required to work well outside of normal business hours with very little notice.

As the economy continues to improve many firms will begin to add back staff, not only designers/architects but support personnel such as accountants and dedicated project managers. Use your existing degree and experience to apply for a position on the financial side to get your foot in the door with a firm while you continue your studies. An added benefit - many design firms encourage continuing education in the design field.

Once you begin working in a support position for the firm, make sure to do an all-star job, and use the opportunity to learn as much as possible about the industry. By the time you graduate with your design degree the firm won’t want to lose you. You will have proven your dedication to the profession, your work ethic and your talent for design. You will be far more employable than the rest of your graduating class, and will have made valuable contacts should you choose to join a different firm or set up an independent practice. If we were able to hire an interior design grad with a finance background we’d be thrilled.

Why the advice? It’s what I’ve done myself – except I’m having such a great time in my current position that I’ve decided to take it farther. I used my marketing background to join a large A D firm almost two years ago. I’ve worked day and night, weekends and holidays, and have completed some of the most satisfying projects of my career. I am now the director of marketing, public relations, graphic design, business development and the branding practice. I’ve also been lucky enough to stay through multiple waves of layoffs. I recently turned 24.

If you truly respect the industry, make sure to begin your career properly.

As an Interior Architecture grad I have to suggest that you get a design-related education. I worked my butt off for 4 years to get my BFA in interiors, and the work that goes into your portfolio is what will make it or break it for you. You also learn invaluable information that an employer expects from an entry-level designer. You know all the work you put into getting your degree in finance? You're probably going to have to work that hard again for a design degree. In the end it will be your design AND finance degrees that will set you apart from the pack.

im a former accountant who is currently doing a career change into interior design. I was just admitted into a top interior design program and finished my first year.

my advice is to expect a lot of skepticism from classmates and anyone else. make sure that this is something you absolutely want to do.
its not easy and during the school year...you will begin to question yourself at various points in whether the decision was a correct one as you slave away all night working on a design project (who to the outside observer...seems "flaky")

if your heart isnt into it...do not do this...it is not for you.