An Interview with Diksha Nijhawan, BSc. Interior Design, Alumnus of MRIIRS, Faridabad

In this interview, Diksha Nijhawan, BSc. Interior Design, Alumnus of MRIIRS, Faridabad, talks about her campus life journey with Careers360. Diksha Nijhawan shares her student life journey at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS). She talks about course curriculum, internships, placement opportunities, projects, industry exposure, extracurricular activities, events and many other aspects. To know more about MRIIRS Faridabad, read the more conversation below.

Careers360: Please introduce yourself, and share reasons why you chose this college as your preferred institution for higher education.

Diksha Nijhawan: My name is Diksha Nijhawan, and I am currently working in the field of interior design. I chose Manav Rachna because of its supportive faculty, practical learning environment, and the exposure it offered beyond academics. During my three-year journey, I got opportunities to participate in competitions and industry visits that are not usually accessible at an early stage.

One of the most memorable moments was when my teachers encouraged me to participate in a society interior design competition through Manav Rachna, where our team won at the zonal level and received a national-level award. Representing the university was a proud experience, and the faculty supported us throughout.

My journey was extremely memorable. It helped me learn, grow, and achieve professional success early on. I also secured an in-campus placement at Aeon Design Development, Noida. In fact, I joined my job immediately after completing my final examinations. Through this role, I worked on projects associated with major brands like EY and TCS, which gave me excellent industry exposure. Even after graduation, I continued receiving opportunities through the university’s placement support, which was very encouraging and humbling for me.

Careers360: How would you describe your overall experience at the institution?

Diksha Nijhawan: My overall experience at Manav Rachna was extremely positive, enriching, and full of learning beyond academics. One thing I truly appreciated was how the institution constantly encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones, which gradually helped me become more confident both personally and professionally.

Throughout my three-year journey, the faculty members were incredibly supportive and motivating. They consistently encouraged us to participate in activities such as model making, creative projects, presentations, and practical assignments, all of which made the learning process far more engaging and hands-on.

What made the experience especially memorable for me was that it never felt limited to classroom learning alone. The university placed strong emphasis on practical exposure alongside academics, which made learning smoother, more interactive, and genuinely valuable from a professional perspective as well.

Careers360: How well did the curriculum prepare you for your career or higher studies?

Diksha Nijhawan: The curriculum prepared me very well for my professional journey. Beyond academics, the university focused strongly on discipline, communication skills, creativity, and practical understanding, qualities that are extremely important in the field of Interior Design.

What I truly appreciated was the way the faculty ensured that our fundamentals were always clear and concepts were explained in a simple, practical, and effective manner. Over time, my journey at the institution naturally helped me become more organised, disciplined, and confident in expressing my ideas and interacting with people.

These learnings have helped me immensely in my professional life today, especially while handling presentations, client interactions, and workplace communication. Looking back, I genuinely feel that the strong foundation built during college continues to support me in performing confidently in my current role.

Careers360: Were there sufficient opportunities for internships, projects, or industry exposure during your time here?

Diksha Nijhawan: There were several opportunities for internships, projects, and industry exposure throughout the course. The university actively supported students through placement assistance and internship opportunities available on platforms like Superset, which helped students explore professional opportunities at an early stage.

The faculty members were also extremely supportive throughout this process, consistently encouraging us to apply for internships and job opportunities and motivating us to gain as much practical exposure as possible alongside academics.

We were also taken on various industrial and site visits that added immense practical value to our learning. One of the memorable visits was to Häfele, one of the leading brands in interior design, kitchens, and appliances. Along with this, we visited live project sites, including bungalows and residential properties, which helped us understand practical execution, materials, layouts, and on-site functioning in real environments.

Careers360: How did extracurricular activities, clubs, or cultural events contribute to your personal development?

Diksha Nijhawan: Extracurricular activities played a very important role in my personal growth and overall development during college life. Events such as Ignite Design gave students a wonderful platform to showcase creativity, teamwork, and design skills beyond academics.

During these annual activities, we worked together in teams to decorate blocks, create banners, and participate in various design-related presentations and creative tasks. These experiences were not only enjoyable and memorable, but also taught us collaboration, teamwork, creative coordination, and the importance of working collectively under timelines and responsibilities.

What I personally valued most was how these activities helped students become more expressive, interactive, and confident while working closely with peers in a collaborative environment. They added a vibrant energy to campus life and made the entire learning experience much more engaging and fulfilling.

Careers360: What were the key strengths of the campus environment (infrastructure, resources, student life)?

Diksha Nijhawan: One of the biggest strengths of the campus was its infrastructure and supportive environment. The campus is spacious, well-maintained, and equipped with excellent facilities for students. The classrooms and studio spaces were well-organised, and the faculty ensured that all required materials and resources were easily available. The university also responded quickly to student concerns and maintenance requirements, which created a very smooth academic experience.

Careers360: Did the placement cell or career services meet your expectations? Why or why not?

Diksha Nijhawan: Through the institution’s in-campus placement process, I secured an opportunity with Eon Design Development immediately after completing my final examinations, which felt extremely fulfilling and rewarding at that stage of my journey.

What I truly appreciated was the consistent guidance and encouragement provided by the faculty and department throughout the placement process. Their support helped students approach professional opportunities with greater confidence, preparedness, and clarity while taking their first steps into the industry.

Careers360: How has your degree contributed to your professional growth and career trajectory?

Diksha Nijhawan: My degree has contributed immensely to my professional growth and confidence. The knowledge, practical exposure, and strong academic foundation I received during my three-year journey helped me develop a much clearer understanding of the industry and strengthened my confidence in my own abilities.

I also feel that the reputation of the university, along with my academic journey there, has positively influenced many professional interactions over time. In the field of Interior Design, having strong fundamentals is extremely important, and the course helped me build that foundation in a very effective and practical manner.

Personally, I believe that without clarity in basics and technical understanding, it becomes difficult to sustain and grow in this industry. Looking back, the learning and exposure I received during the course continue to add tremendous value to my professional life even today.

Careers360: What skills gained at the institution do you find most valuable in your current role?

Diksha Nijhawan: The most valuable skills I gained during my course were AutoCAD proficiency, site knowledge, and material understanding, all of which are extremely essential in the field of Interior Design. We started learning AutoCAD from the second year onwards, which gave me enough time to become comfortable and confident with the software. Even today, AutoCAD continues to be one of the most important tools in my professional work.

The university also had a dedicated material lab, which helped us practically understand different materials used in interior design, their applications, textures, finishes, and functionality. This hands-on exposure added tremendous value to our learning experience and proved especially beneficial during the early years of my professional journey, when practical understanding became just as important as creativity and design skills.

Careers360: What challenges did you face during your academic journey, and how did you overcome them?

Diksha Nijhawan: During my academic journey, one of the learning experiences for me was adapting to different teaching styles and academic approaches across semesters. Since every faculty member brought a unique perspective and methodology, it encouraged students to become more flexible and receptive in their approach towards learning.

Over time, I learned to adapt smoothly, communicate better, and maintain consistency in my work and understanding. In hindsight, these experiences proved valuable because they helped me develop adaptability, patience, and a more balanced approach towards working in diverse environments, qualities that continue to help me professionally even today.”

Careers360: How do you stay connected with fellow alumni and the institution?

Diksha Nijhawan: I continue to stay connected with fellow alumni and the institution through WhatsApp alumni groups that include both faculty members and former students. These groups help us remain connected, stay updated about university activities, and continue engaging with alumni interactions and opportunities over time.

Careers360: Would you be interested in mentoring current students or participating in alumni activities?

Diksha Nijhawan: Yes, definitely. I would genuinely be very happy to mentor current students and participate in alumni activities whenever possible. I believe sharing experiences, guidance, and practical insights with students can be meaningful not only for their growth but also personally fulfilling as an alum.

Careers360: As a professional, how would you advise a student to plan a career, keeping in mind changes and upheavals in the industry?

Diksha Nijhawan: As a working interior designer, I strongly believe students should focus on practical exposure in addition to classroom learning. It is important to step outside the classroom, attend exhibitions, interact with industry professionals, and understand how the industry functions in real-world situations.

Practical exposure helps build confidence, communication skills, and industry understanding, which assignments alone cannot provide. Students should actively participate in seminars, exhibitions, and networking opportunities because they provide valuable exposure to materials, trends, and professional practices.

Exploring the industry beyond academics is essential for long-term growth and success.

Careers360: Learning never ends for any professional. In this context, how do you think one should prepare for career advancement with value additions? How can students identify these areas?

Diksha Nijhawan: I believe career advancement begins with self-awareness. Students should first understand their strengths, interests, and areas where they need improvement. Growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones and challenge ourselves. Professional life requires teamwork, adaptability, communication skills, and the ability to work with different kinds of people and environments. Therefore, students should work on becoming more confident, collaborative, and open to learning new things.

Knowing yourself, improving continuously, and learning to adapt to challenges are some of the most important qualities for long-term professional growth.

Careers360: How likely are you to recommend this institution to those planning to pursue higher studies?

Diksha Nijhawan: I would definitely recommend Manav Rachna to students planning to pursue higher education. Many people have misconceptions about private universities, but I believe the quality of faculty support and student guidance makes a significant difference.

At Manav Rachna, the faculty genuinely supports students, listens to them, and encourages their growth, which creates a strong learning environment. Based on my own experience, I would confidently recommend the university not only for interior design but for other courses as well.

Disclaimer: This article has been published as a marketing collaboration between Careers360 and MRIIRS, Faridaba.