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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think dh should tell dd age 11, interior design is not a proper job

105 replies

Lardlizard · 22/02/2019 23:45

It quite rude really

OP posts:
CostanzaG · 23/02/2019 12:39

brizzle see my previous post about what the NHS uses interior designers for.
Just because you aren't interested in a career in interior design doesn't mean it isn't valuable or interesting to other people.
Nearly 80% of graduate jobs don't specify a certain degree subject so why not study something you are interested in and good at?

I'm starting to despair at the number of people who throw around the word apprenticeship like it will solve all the issues to do with HE. It's really not that simple....

BrizzleMint · 23/02/2019 12:42

Just because you aren't interested in a career in interior design doesn't mean it isn't valuable or interesting to other people.

I didn't say it wasn't valuable or interesting, I just said I didn't think it was worth 60k of debt by going to university to study it.

Clavinova · 23/02/2019 12:43

I know several self-employed interior designers - they seem busy enough, although I live in a London commuter area. I bumped into one of them sourcing bathroom suites - it's not just living room design.

One of my friends used to work for Laura Ashley as an interior designer - they are still advertising interior design jobs.

Most new housing developments will have a show house or a show flat.

The interiors of swanky offices are designed by someone.

CostanzaG · 23/02/2019 12:43

But that's your opinion. Plenty of people do think it is worth it which why courses are still running.

Alsohuman · 23/02/2019 12:48

There are no NHS care homes for the elderly. They don’t exist. MN really exposes unbelievable levels of ignorance.

BrizzleMint · 23/02/2019 12:49

But that's your opinion. Plenty of people do think it is worth it which why courses are still running.

Their debt, their choice. I'd rather spend my 60k on something really going to make a difference like nursing, engineering, teaching etc.

Quintella · 23/02/2019 12:51

It’s bloody years before she’ll get to decide what courses she wants to do at SCHOOL let alone afterwards. Let the kid be FGS.

Exactly. If my 11 year old expressed an interest in being a tightrope walker I'd be fine with that. It's not imperative to guide a child to a nice pensionable job in the civil service.

Alsohuman · 23/02/2019 12:51

Is anyone holding you hostage until you sign up for a degree in interior design, @Brizzle? We get it’s not for you, it clearly is for other people.

Quintella · 23/02/2019 12:52

Aren't teachers quitting the profession in record numbers and advising others against going into it?

flirtygirl · 23/02/2019 13:02

Yep it is not worth 60k of loans to study at degree level but around 50% of degrees are simply not worth the debt that they incur.

Studying and learning is always worthwhile, it's a shame that the "system", has seen fit to package a whole lot of debt up with education.

CostanzaG · 23/02/2019 13:04

Spacial designers are employed by NHS and other care providers to design spaces for the elderly and disabled. I may have worded my post clumsily but I'm not ignorant.

Ignorance is dismissing an entire profession based on your limited knowledge and judgements.

BrizzleMint · 23/02/2019 13:05

Some are, some aren't, it's like any job some people find it's not for them and others love it. It all depends on the school, the MAT and the SLT.
But yes, I do think people need to think long and hard if they are up for a career in teaching as it is a hard slog at times.

NewAndImprovedNorks · 23/02/2019 13:07

Now DECORATORS...they really do earn the loot. And I am very happy to pay not to have a completely mangled, paint spattered room

Oh, and PLUMBERS round here are like hens teeth and can name their price

I have waited four months to get a TILER that I like and who talks sense.

That sort of interior stuff is a solid job

Fiveredbricks · 23/02/2019 13:09

Is your DH and you OP and your DD confusing Interior Design with Interior Decorating?

Interior Design is very much a proper job and many Forensic Psychologists who work within the field might be a bit Hmm at that confusion.

GetOffTheTableMabel · 23/02/2019 13:20

i’m With Quintella here. Whether an 11 year old wants to be an astronaut, an accountant or a juggler, why wouldn’t you just encourage them? How many of us pursue the idea we had when we were 11 anyway? There is plenty of time for life to rain on her parade - and plenty of other people to do it too. It’s not as though she’s about to make a crucial decision about exams or university is it? Your dh is being a joy-sucking twat. This was an opportunity to discuss art and ideas and inspiration with her and he decided to put her down instead. Arse.

Clavinova · 23/02/2019 13:32

This is the sort of career your dd could apply for:

Junior Interior Designer closing date 11 March 2019;
www.willmottdixon.co.uk/careers/job-search/view-job/junior-interior-designer1

The type of projects she might work on - scroll down;
www.willmottdixoninteriors.co.uk/

Essential Job Criteria:
Working towards BA Hons in Interiors Design/ Architecture.

Desirable Criteria:
BA Hons in Interior Design/ Architecture.
Working towards membership of Chartered Society of Designers.

anniehm · 23/02/2019 13:33

It's a perfectly good job as long as she realises she needs to learn the decorating skills herself and it's not just ordering tradesmen around. Our local council offer taster courses for females each year in school holidays (14 and up) for those interested in learning trades.

Lardlizard · 23/02/2019 17:25

I totally agree he is wrong, he should be saying well if that’s what your interested in you will need to study hard
And work on art maths English etc
Just encourage her in general, he would like her to have a high paying job in finance

OP posts:
perfectstorm · 23/02/2019 18:34

If he wants her to get a high paying job in any field, he needs to inspire her to want to work hard. Why isn't he saying, well, if you want to be an interior designer then you'll need to be able to plan within a budget, and calculate volumes for materials in a given sized space, so you'd better work hard on the maths side. Associate her study with something she finds interesting in that way, and it's an incentive. I home educate my 10 year old at the moment, and that's how I get him to study in a context where there's not the same peer pressure, or authority level (if someone's kids are as scared of them as they are a head teacher, then I'm concerned). It works. It works really, really well.

The reality is that all kids, when older, need to weigh up love of a job, with ability to make a living. His desire for her to be financially secure is understandable, but he does need to consider that she will spend endless hours in work, so enjoying, or at least not hating, that time is also important.

But she's 11. What matters now is that she's interested in something, that she has dreams, and that she's motivated to work. Nothing else really matters, in academic terms. Not at that tender age.

lerrimknowyouretheyir · 23/02/2019 18:40

Having a high paying job in finance isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, OP. Tell her to do something she loves.

Imissgmichael · 23/02/2019 18:50

Brizzle you sound delusional. 2 of my cousins are interior designers and are minted. Their children followed in their footsteps and are doing very well.

You do know it’s not just a matter of matching cushions don’t you. They’ve both have post grad qualifications in architecture.

BrizzleMint · 23/02/2019 18:52

You do know it’s not just a matter of matching cushions don’t you. They’ve both have post grad qualifications in architecture.

Clearly they are more than your average interior designer then, I wouldn't have thought many were experts like that.

totallyfrusted · 23/02/2019 20:03

I get really annoyed that everyone thinks interior designers are all wealthy ladies spending time picking the odd fabric for their wealthy friends house and then going for lunch.....

I’ve spent the past 20 years working in hotel design doing everything from premier Inns to award winning luxury 5star hotels.

We do a lot more than pick fabrics....we’re responsible for all the budgets (which can be a few thousands to many millions). Designing all the furniture and overseeing all the manufacturing as well as making sure everything meets all the relevant trade standards. We also need to be aware of all the latest disability requirements in which ever country the hotel is in.

It’s hard work, you work a lot of unpaid overtime and it is very stressful.

Every time you set foot in a shop, restaurant, bar, hospital, hotel and airport an interior designer will have been there before you.

Rant over............

Lardlizard · 23/02/2019 21:43

He does work in finance so he should know its not all it’s cracked up to be !

OP posts:
Stupomax · 23/02/2019 22:08

DH works with interior designers (like totallyfrusted), except in the US. He pays $250k to $500k per project, and his designers usually have 4 projects on the go at any one time. A typical project lasts 2-3 years.

He expects them to have a degree in Interior Design, and relevant experience. They travel extensively for work, both to visit the buildings they're designing for and to go to conferences.

Not sure how this is not a 'proper job'?

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