New graduates Michelle G. and Alexis W. have just finished their second year of the Black Student Summer Leadership Program (BSSLP). The BSSLP offers an opportunity for Black students in Grades 10 to 12 at the 污污漫画 to obtain employment readiness skills, an experiential learning placement and complete Youth Participatory Action Research. Students are paid for their contributions. This year, both Michelle and Alexis were placed at as Junior Designers.
Michael London Design is a boutique interior design firm with over 25 years of experience. Michelle and Alexis had a wide variety of duties as Junior Designers, including assisting in the preparation and implementation of all phases of the design process (scheduling, planning, design, documentation, specifications and construction), and the selection of furniture, lighting and finishes.
When describing the tasks, Michelle said, “Down the street there are interior design showrooms where we hunt for fabrics. We have gone through a lot of samples, carpets, stones, porcelains and we get to know what they are used for and where they are used, for example, residential pieces to commercial. We will also source materials. Yesterday, we helped pick up some fabrics for a home, wall coverings, stones and fabric for furniture too.”
Students also worked on transmittal letters and met with clients. “I met with a client who was doing renovations for their kitchen and new floors for the house,” said Alexis.
Caption: A photo of Alexis W. and Michelle G. at Michael London Design Offices
The tasks performed and the responsibilities held by Alexis and Michelle at Michael London Interior Design have been very beneficial as both students are pursuing relevant academic and career pathways.
Alexis said, “I learned a lot from the staff here, including Michael, Michelle and the other staff… I’ve learned I like to be on the artistic side of architecture or interior design. I am going to aim for architecture and hope I can get into interior design if that doesn’t work out.”
Alexis will be attending University of Toronto in September. Both students have learned what it entails to be an interior designer, how interior designers and architects work together, and how a project gets completed behind the scenes.
In September, Michelle will be attending Toronto Metropolitan University. She explains how this internship has helped her get closer to her goals.
“I aspire to be an architect. When I do my masters degree, I specifically want to do project management, overseeing construction sites and leading group projects,” says Michelle. “For me, this internship has made me pay closer attention to detail. Appreciate the little things when it comes to design. Michael taught us to always think how can you make something 10x better in your own way. What can you do to make it your own?”
The students have also learned a variety of transferable skills. Michelle notes that the skills she gained are, “Attention to detail, really noticing the little things in your work, that makes your work different from others. When I look at something, it is more than just looking at it, but taking the time to analyze it. Another skill would be time management, as there are some things we have to do in a certain time,” said Michelle. “Time management and responsibility, because even though they are very relaxed here at Michael London, when they ask me to do a task, I have to make sure I do it,” says Alexis.
Through the Black Student Summer Leadership Program and the included experiential learning placement, students developed a variety of skills that will help them in their academic and professional pathways. Students were also able to explore different career paths and the necessary requirements to be successful.