Meet our Alumna: Julianne J Peters, Assoc IIDA, BS Interior Design, Minor

Where are you from originally?

Cecil County, Maryland

What was the best part of your time at Jefferson?

The small size of the school allowed me to truly thrive. I got to know all my professors on a deeper level and I was able to expand on education in unique ways (one example being when I crafted my own custom minor within the business school). I was able to take advantage of leadership opportunities, meet alumni, and grow both personally and professionally due in part to the size of Jefferson. This is something that I continued to seek out when I was looking for internships during college and jobs after graduation. I love working in small firms where I can build relationships with each of my coworkers and get individualized mentorship from supervisors.

What has having a Jefferson degree done for you/how has it prepared you for your career?

The education that I received at Jefferson was REAL. By that I mean, we got to explore our creativity and imagination, but there was always a focus on real-world applications and deliverables. I took hand and computer drafting courses where we created construction documentation sets – just like what I do now every day. In my studio courses, we went through multiple critique reviews where our professors brought in outside professionals to give us feedback on our work, similar to how a client would. Now, as an alumna, I often come back to sit in on critiques and give my opinions on student work! Every part of my education directly applies to the work I do today.

What are you doing now?

I am an interior designer and project manager at Hellyer Lewis Inc in Philadelphia. We design corporate offices and banks across North America for large insurance and financial corporations. I am involved in every step of the process from design development to construction administration. I also am involved with recruiting, hiring, and mentoring new employees at my firm. I am currently preparing to sit for my National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exams to take the next step in my career!

I am also the current President of the Pennsylvania / New Jersey / Delaware Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) where I supervise a team that creates events and programs that pertain to advocacy, continuing education, student affairs, philanthropy, and so much more! (I was involved with the IIDA Campus Center when I was a student at Jefferson as a Campus Center Co-President and continued my involvement with the Association after graduation.)

What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you?

I play in a cover band with my father called Little Scarecrow! We play at bars, restaurants, weddings, and other events from DC to Philadelphia. I play ukulele, bass, horn, and vocals. We cover all kinds of hits from the 50s to present – rock, pop, country, indie, and more. It is so much fun to be a part-time rockstar!

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to our current students?

Get out of the classroom, show up, and absorb everything around you! You’re in one of the greatest cities in the world and have access to so much. Attend a professional networking event, go to a gallery opening, follow an architectural walking tour, visit a showroom or firm... There are so many opportunities to connect with working professionals – and we want to connect with you, too!