Alumni Spotlight: From Career Pathway to Trustee

We are thrilled to share a powerful testimonial from Isaac Nwaku, an alumni from the first cohort of our Career Pathway Program. Isaac’s experience shows the value of mentorship and opportunity. After completing the program, he joined the UiD Board of Trustees to represent young people and their interests at the board level. Isaac’s story highlights the importance of creating pathways for underrepresented talent in the interior design industry. His journey continues to inspire and support the next generation of diverse leaders in the field.

I graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2017 with a degree in Interior Architecture. For over a year after graduating, I struggled to find a job in London, where I live. I approached an Architectural Technology practice based in Hertfordshire, where I ended up working for three years. During my time there, I continued applying for interior design roles in London but was unsuccessful in starting my career in the industry. I often questioned whether I was good enough to secure a role at all and even considered switching industries altogether.

During the George Floyd protests in the U.S., important conversations emerged about racism, the lack of diversity, and the socioeconomic barriers preventing Black and ethnic minorities from accessing better education and career opportunities. At the time, Sophie Ashby posted on social media about the lack of diversity in the interior design sector, acknowledging that she wasn’t doing enough to drive change.

Celebrating Excellence: Cohort 4 Graduation - Class of 2024

I reached out to Sophie to express my lack of confidence in pursuing a career in interiors, as I had yet to be given any opportunities. Through multiple mentorship Zoom calls, she provided valuable advice on breaking into the industry. When she launched the United in Design Apprenticeship Scheme, she strongly encouraged me to apply to help me get my foot in the door. After being shortlisted and going through the interview process, I was offered a placement.

My experience with United in Design was incredible. Over the course of a year, I had the opportunity to work at four design practices—Eggersmann Design, De Rosee Sa, Brady Williams, and Clare Gaskin Interiors—gaining experience in high-end residential and hospitality design projects. The apprenticeship gave me insight into different companies and the chance to network with many amazing designers in a short time. It allowed me to learn quickly, prove my capabilities, thrive, and expand my skill set. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which challenged me across different sectors of the industry, helped me gain clarity on the direction I wanted to take in my career.

I am incredibly grateful to have been part of the apprenticeship scheme, and I hope many more people like me can break into the industry through this initiative and mentorship from those who have faced similar challenges. After completing my apprenticeship year, I was offered a role at Eggersmann Design, where I have now been for the past two and a half years.