In December 2007, Deborah Towner graduated, with highest honors, from the International Academy of Design & Technology - Seattle (the Academy) with a BFA in Interior Design. Going back to school was a mid-life career decision for Deborah. Her previous occupation as a senior-level executive in commercial real estate investment afforded her the ability to leave her job and return to school. For a long time, Deborah had wanted to work in a creative field. She had always loved textures, textiles, color, fashion and the environment, and so she began thinking about pursuing a career in interior design.

Deborah had always thought that creativity was something with which you were born. Once she began her studies at the Academy, she found that creativity was a matter of exploration. For the first time, she began to uncover an innate creativity within herself that had been there all along and was just waiting to be uncovered. Now Deborah thinks there is untapped creative potential in everyone—it just takes the right mentorship and academic setting to nurture it.

It took Deborah only two years to get her BFA in Interior Design because she had already acquired some core subject credits when she had earned an earlier degree. Because of her prior successful work history, Deborah was savvy about networking for a job. She had already been keeping an eye on about 20 websites for job openings. She also utilized the full services of the Academy, which helped her to put together her portfolio and included consultation with Director of Career Services Laura Nielsen. Soon she was on her way.

Deborah is now with Burgess Design, a full-service, commercial interior architecture firm based in downtown Seattle. Founded in 1992, the 30-person firm is led by its President and founder Jim Burgess. She is an integral part of the interiors team, working on commercial office interiors, which connects her newly found passion in interior design with her past experience in commercial real estate. Her ambition for the future? She wants to roll up her sleeves and get as much experience as possible in all phases of design. And someday she would like to be a key influencer in sustainable design.

Her advice to students: "There are always jobs for people who have a strong work ethic and good creative skills. There are jobs out there, but it takes networking to find them. Networking is everything. Say 'Yes' to exploratory interviews and participate in industry events. Pound the pavement at the show rooms and at the design centers. You really have to get out there and get what you want!"

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