Emma Cross Interior Design

Funny how things come full circle…

This evening we were at North Berwick High School’s Careers Event, talking to pupils about careers in interior design and the wider creative industries.

And it got me thinking about me at 15…

At 15, I did my own work experience at Design Works in Glasgow — an interior design business that gave me an early glimpse into the world I would eventually make my career in.

Fast forward a few decades, and here we are taking pupils into our own business every year for work experience through WorkIT / Gateway with East Lothian Council.

You don’t necessarily know what you want to do at 15, or even what jobs actually involve. But being given the opportunity to spend time in a real workplace, meet people and see an industry from the inside can make such a difference.

For anyone thinking about a creative or design-led career, there are so many opportunities beyond simply being an interior designer — from textiles and furniture to styling, retail, marketing, project management and everything in between.

I’m very grateful that someone gave me that opportunity at 15. And I’m delighted that we can now give the same opportunity to someone else.

Who knows where a week of work experience might lead..

Thank you to Emma Black for manning the stand and allowing me to hide, and thank you to Designworks for that opportunity (1987)

@emmaisonthebeach