Meet Current Student, Laurel Tobin
Laurel was homeschooled through high school and did dual-credit classes at Marian University as a high school junior and senior before starting her freshman year at IUPUI…
Why did you choose to study at IUPUI?
IUPUI has a fantastic Interior Design Technology program and the location made it easy for me to commute.
Why Interior Design Technology?
When I was little I wanted to be an artist, but as I got older I realized that while art fulfilled my creative side, it didn’t let me use my logic, science or technical skills. When I was 12, I first discovered Interior Design and after spending the next six years researching it and learning more about what I could do in this field I chose to major in it at IUPUI.
- School of Engineering and Technology Student Ambassador
- President, Student Design Organization
- Vice President, American Society of Interior Designers at IUPUI
- Catholic Student Organization
- IUPUI Honors College
- Alpha Lambda Delta/Phi Eta Sigma Honors Societies
- Tau Alpha Pi – Pi Beta Honors Society
My career aspirations:
Hospitality design (the design of restaurants, hotels, casinos, museums, etc.) is one thing I’d love to do eventually. When designing hospitality spaces, it is critical to ensure that these spaces are accessible and usable for every person while also creating a lasting experience.
I’m also interested in healthcare design. In the past ten years, there have been huge advancements in our understanding of how design can help patients, their families, and their caregivers have a healthier and more positive experience in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities. I would love to help design the next generation of healthcare facilities and to help make them more functional and beautiful.
My college experience has:
Wonderful! At IUPUI I’ve been able to learn from professionals, who all have experience in the interior design and architecture fields, meet other students with similar goals, network with many professionals. I’ve also had many leadership opportunities and have been able to work with several different organizations. All while studying my dream career!
My favorite thing about IUPUI:
The faculty and staff genuinely care about students and want to help them succeed. Our location also allows students to have many networking opportunities with professionals and access to other exciting new ideas and developments.
My advice for new students:
Talk to your professors. Your professors want you to succeed and to have many chances for growth. They are also invaluable resources when you are searching for your first job or internship. And be sure to get involved with at least one student organization (If you’re looking at Interior Design Technology the Student Design Organization is a great place to start!). It will give you opportunities to make friends with similar interests and to get some great leadership experience.
