Educational spaces are a specialty for Jakobowski, who has been with McMillan Pazdan Smith for nine years.
“We work with public and private colleges and universities throughout the Southeast. My day-to-day could be working on renovations or new buildings for technical colleges or four-year universities in the Carolinas, Tennessee, or Georgia.”
She says that being promoted to a senior associate is something a designer attains in recognition of their commitment to the firm and a desire to continue to strive for design excellence, while helping to mentor younger designers.
According to School of Interior Design Dean Anne Martin, “It’s rare for a graduate to receive a senior associate position within 10 years of their graduation; however, this remarkable accomplishment does not surprise me as Melissa demonstrated remarkable project management skills and talent as a student of interior design as well as leadership in her role as president of the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID).”
Jakobowski says of her promotion, “It happened naturally, from going out on business development opportunities and career fairs, collaborating with others in the design field and mentoring those that are entering the field soon. I’m doing what I love and helping to promote the wonderful work we’re doing here at MPS.”
In 2022, The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) recognized Jakobowski and her team at McMillan Pazdan Smith for design excellence on a project to enhance a teen space for the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library in Conyers, Georgia.
Jakobowski feels she’s achieved her project’s goal when she gets positive feedback from students using spaces she and her team designed. She’s gratified to hear how the students are engaging with inviting spaces MPS has designed and how they’re excited to show up for their classes and labs.
Jakobowski enjoys returning to Anderson University periodically to interact with current Interior Design students. She also feels blessed to be able to work with AU students who enter her firm as interns.
“We’ve had some Anderson interns over the last few years; we’ve currently got one working with us part time, which has been great, and we take any opportunity we can to review student projects,” she said.
Jakobowski’s advice to those entering interior design is to be willing to work hard and also take every opportunity possible to connect with people in the field.
“Make those connections, ask questions, stay engaged, always be curious and learning. Don’t wait around for someone to bring something up, but really take that initiative, pushing yourself to grow more,” she said, adding that involvement in professional organizations including ASID and IIDA are invaluable sources of opportunities and experiences to help students grow as designers during their college years and in their subsequent careers. Jakobowski was involved in both organizations as a student and was president for the ASID student chapter at Anderson University. She continues to be actively involved in IIDA as professional member.
The Anderson University School of Interior Design
The Anderson University School of Interior Design is one of only nine such programs to be offered in a Christian institution of higher learning and has graduates working as professional interior designers across the nation and internationally.
