Alumni Focus: Passion for design

MAY 7, 2020 | COLLEGE NEWS

 
PTC alum Heather Randall graduated in
2019 and has built a successful design
firm that focuses on both residential and
commercial designs.

Heather Randall has a love for all things beautiful. Her goal is to transform drab spaces into unique works of art. Her passion for interior decorating led her to pursue a career in the interior design world, and PTC gave her the knowledge to do so.

Although she holds a degree in biology, she wasn’t too keen on her job as a chemist. So, when her children came along, she decided to transition into a new career, being a stay-at-home mom.

As her four children got older, Randall started looking for more ways to occupy her time.

“I was doing design for my friends and myself before I started at PTC, so I decided to get a real certification,” she explained.

She enrolled in the Interior Decorating Services program and, in record time, earned her certificate.

“Everyone kept asking me to help them with their house, and I thought, you know, I might as well just go ahead and do this and get some real knowledge and skills behind me.”

Not wanting to punch a clock every day, she decided upon graduation in 2019 to open her own business. With Heather Randall Interiors, LLC all set up, she got right to work with clients using her new-found skills.

Focusing on both residential and commercial design, Randall credits her recent success to social media and networking among friends and hopes her satisfied customers will continue to spread the word.

Randall has nothing but positive words to say about PTC instructor Rhonda Eyring. She relied heavily on her expertise and compassion during classes and still picks her brain when she gets into a design quandary.

The decision to go back after decades away from the classroom was a hard one for Randall. With the internet being nonexistent when she first went to college, it was a bit intimidating to go back and learn computer programs necessary to pass the class.

She credits Eyring for breaking down the technical software programs in a language she could understand and took advantage of the hands-on knowledge offered at PTC.

“I am a firm believer right now because I have both the experience of going to a university and a technical school, and my eyes have been opened,” said revealed. “In my generation, there was no question. You go to high school, and everything leads to a four-year degree. And you don’t really question it.”

But in today’s ever-changing world, technical school is the quickest path to a high-paying career, whether it’s a teen fresh out of high school or an adult changing their career path. 

With reasonable out-of-pocket costs and financial aid available to those who qualify, investing a short time in earning an industry certification is the smart choice.

For Randall, her experience in the 11-month program has changed her life. Not only does she now have a certificate in interior decorating and up-to-date knowledge of the latest in computer design software, but she also has the confidence to move forward knowing she has the same skills of those half her age.

“It is a big market,” she said.

Graduates can start their own business, like Randall, or go to work in a design firm, home design retail outlets, or staging for real estate brokers, magazines and television. 

“There are so many different avenues you can go down with this knowledge.”

She encourages anyone looking for a change of career or an alternative to a typical four-year degree to check out PTC.

“Something that’s going to take you one or two years, and you get out, and the jobs are there, and the earning potential is great; it is a great option.”

For those who are at a crossroads in their life, Randall’s advice is not to quit but to overcome obstacles by building a plan for their future.

“Put one foot in front of the other,” she said.

If you are a Pinellas Technical College alumnus and would like to be featured in a story, please call Lyn Johnson in the Office of Workforce Innovation at 727-538-7167 ext. 2087.