The IIDA Student Mentoring Program is one of the most dynamic mentoring programs in the interior design industry. Every year, IIDA pairs more than 500 students across the U.S. with mentors that work in the interior design industry as interior design professionals, manufacturer representatives, architects, dealers, interior design educators, and more to give students real-world experience in the industry and make lasting connections! Registration closes on February 14, 2026.
Applicants will be notified of their student/mentor pairings on March 4, 2026.
If you'd like to learn more about this year's virtual program, visit our website or contact students@iida.org.
To register as a mentor/professional, click here.
To register as a mentee/student, click here.
Program Updates for 2026
This year the mentoring program will be offered in-person and virtually, giving mentors and students the flexibility they need for a successful mentoring experience. Mentors and students may create a hybrid mentoring experience, blending an in-person meeting with supplemental virtual mentoring sessions throughout March and April. Please note: If there is not an in-person opportunity in your area, you will automatically be paired with someone virtually.
March 2: Student Mentoring Kick-Off Webinar
Join IIDA and past program participants in a conversation and Q&A covering tips, tricks, and insights that students can use to get the most out of their mentoring experience.
We will be hosting two webinars, a kickoff for mentors and a kickoff for student participants. Please register for your category below!
Register for the Student Kickoff Webinar.
Register for the Mentor Kickoff Webinar.
March 4 - April 30: Mentoring Sessions Take Place
We encourage mentors and students to create their own, personalized experience. You may choose to meet in-person, virtually, or create a hybrid experience. You will need to commit to meeting for one-day in person or a minimum of three times virtually for at least one hour for each meeting. Or, you may develop a hybrid experience that consists of meeting in-person for at least three hours with supplemental meetings virtually. It's up to you!