Questions for Career Exploration Program – PCHS

Name: Elizabeth “Lisa” Graskewicz

Career Field: Interior Design

Professional Title: Interior Designer

City: Pinckneyville

College Attended: SIU-C

Degree Attained: B.S.

Estimated beginning salary range: Depends on location, but if locally, $35,000 - $45,000

  1. What does being successful mean to you and how does one pursue that objective?

When I have happy customers and can pay the bills.

  1. What steps does one need to master in order to become successful?

Listening to needs and wants of clients. Like what you do. Work hard at it.

  1. What must one focus on while attending college?

Due dates and deadlines.Goals! - Short term and long term.

  1. What can students do while in High School and College to prepare for the future?

Drafting, speech, art classes

  1. How many times, since you were in school did you change your mind about what career you wanted?

0

  1. Who were the mentors in your life? How did their influence help?

My Father – also an Interior Designer – I grew up around it.

  1. What could you have done to give your life more opportunities?

Move to a city!

  1. While you were in high school did you feel you had limited or endless options for your life?

Limited, but for personal reasons – not because of my education.

  1. When it came down to picking colleges, how did you choose between your options?

Proximity to home but closest accredited school for Interior Design at the time.

  1. How many years of college did you attend to obtain your degrees?

4 ½ years

  1. Out of all the careers, why did you pick this specific one?

Enjoy creating beautiful places and helping people

  1. What kind of scholarships did you earn or seek and how many were career driven scholarships?

0

  1. What jobs did you have in high school and college that helped get you where you are today?

Local furniture stores. Learning products and working with people.

  1. What colleges would you suggest to students going into the same profession as you?

Still believe SIU-C is great, know there are several new programs for Interior Design. SEMO

  1. Do you think it is wise to come back to your original community, or go to a new location?

I think the range of projects would be larger and the income would be greater in a city, but I do prefer following a project from beginning to end where there are design teams in large firms and you may only get to assist in a small aspect of the project and never see the finished product. That is the most satisfying part along with seeing a happy customer.

  1. How active would you recommend a college student be during their first year on campus?

Join ASID, do as much a schedule allows.

  1. What mistakes did you make during high school and college that we can learn from?

On the 1st appointment with college counselor, be sure they know your goals and focus. Too many classes won’t keep you on track for graduation

  1. How has your personal life affected your professional life?

Just the area I’ve stayed in.

  1. What drives you to go to your job every day?

LOVE IT! Every day is different, every job is different. No 2 days alike!

  1. How many times have you looked back at your choices you made in your life and asked “did I make the right choice?”

Not in my profession