Adam Stover

I loved math, creating and building things, and product design growing up. IAPD was the perfect platform for all of those.

• Smith Scholarship House - President
• Intermural Sports
• Dean's Advisory Board
• IAPD Student Council - President and other leadership experiences

I completed one semester long/summer internship and two additional summer internships. My first year in the IAPD program I had a professor tell me that the best thing I could do would be to take on an internship every summer leading up to graduation. I took his advice to heart and it paid off immensely. The experience I gained on my internships put me at an advantage when it came time to get a fulltime job. The internships also allowed me the opportunity to explore different types and sizes of firms, as well as locations, so I had a better idea of where I wanted to go upon graduation.

Working with clients

Share the same passion for every project that your client shares. The project should be more important to you than it is to your client.

Every project is unique and comes with its own set of rewards and challenges. Designing the interiors for the new yankee stadium was a very complex and challenging project, one of which I took on early in my career. I look at it as one of my most rewarding in terms of what I accomplished, how I grew as a leader and a designer, and the opportunities that is set me up for going forward.

IAPD is a very intense program that carries long hours and requires a large commitment and focus as a student. This allowed for an easy transition into the world of work as the level of responsibility, accountability, and expectation grew.

Developed a strong work ethic and belief that you do whatever it takes to always exceed client expectations and deliver at 110%. The approach that you don’t pay attention to the clock and that you go home when the task is complete. This approach can be exhausting at times, but the reward and opportunities it creates is endless.

Internships are important. It allows you to explore without being locked in. It is also the perfect avenue for getting into a firm that you are really interested in hopes that it will lead to a bigger opportunity down the road.

Enjoy your time as a student. It’s a five year stretch that you only get to experience once.

Be involved. If there is an organization on campus that interests you, join it. Take advantages of the opportunities KSU provides. You never know what it will bring.

Furniture Design