Enrolling in UCOL | Te Pūkenga’s Diploma in Interior Design* was an easy choice for Mikayla Edmundson, as it allowed her to follow her passion for design while raising her young daughter.
Mikayla moved to Palmerston North from Wellington with the intention of returning to study. She had developed an interest in interior design through previous study, so she was looking for a course that would allow her to pursue this further. It also had to fit around her caring for her daughter.
“I went to UCOL | Te Pūkenga to find out some information on the Diploma in Interior Design* and ended up enrolling then and there. The staff were all very helpful and accommodating to my circumstances, and helped me to plan out the course so it would fit in with my schedule.”
Mikayla found that her Lecturers’ teaching styles got the best out of her.
“The Lecturers were always more than willing to help and to guide me in the right direction and give me feedback on my work in ways that helped me push my boundaries and try new things. This was extremely valuable as it helped me learn a lot about myself and the way I work.”
“The overall structure of the Diploma, particularly the class presentations, prepared me well for life as an interior designer.”
Mikayla graduated in early 2016, where she was also awarded the CMS and Gordon Harris Academic Excellence Award for the top interior design student and the Resene Award for the student most likely to succeed in the interior design profession.
Mikayla is currently working full-time as an Interior Designer at
Architype Team Architects in Palmerston North, after being approached for the role at her class’ end-of-year exhibition. She is also furthering her studies in architectural and creative technologies.
“I have been extremely lucky in having the opportunity of finding such a job where going to work each day doesn’t just feel like work. In continuing my studies alongside work and raising my daughter I plan to keep pushing myself to strive for the best.”
Architype Team Architects Ltd is the Palmerston North branch of the national company Team Architects Ltd, with 10 offices spread throughout New Zealand and over 80 team members. The award-winning practice has been involved in a number of regionally iconic projects ranging from high-performance residential to large commercial and public buildings.
* The UCOL | Te Pūkenga Diploma in Interior Design has been superseded and replaced by New Zealand Diploma in Interior Design (Residential).