Alumni Spotlight

Alumni Spotlight: Nicole Kornowski

By Allison Hartter

Nicole Kornowski is a graduate of 2015 and obtained an Associate Degree in Residential Interior Design. Fox Valley Technical College was the school of her choice due to location and program availability. These factors heavily impacted her decision because, while being a full-time student at FVTC, she was also a single mother and working full time. After two dedicated years of schooling she is now an interior designer as well as a vital leader to the paint department at Kimps Ace Hardware of Green Bay, Wisconsin. When asked her favorite aspect of interior design, Nicole states, “I would say the challenge of learning what a client wants, what they have to work with and then executing the project so that they are satisfied on the other end.” Nicole originally started her Associate degree in 2006 but due to “life,” and all the obstacle it brings, she deferred her time to work and experience until she felt it was truly her time to pursue her dream. While going to school is a task in and of itself, having a family and working full time to support your lifestyle is a whole other form of obstacles. My question to her was how she overcame these challenges, her response, “Time Management. Juggling all the things in life was a bit of a challenge but prioritizing what needed to get done and staying discipline was key.” Nicole excelled in Fundamentals of Design but felt challenged in AutoCAD. However, these classes are great experiences and vital to everyday design. A big regret of Nicole’s is that she did not join any clubs or organizations. She states, “I would have loved to be a part of extracurricular activities but the whole reason I chose FVTC is that I was a single mom working full time, juggling kids, school, and work so I didn’t have any extra time to give for clubs and organizations.” She did however attend a trip to New York City in her final time at FVTC. This substituted for the lack of college life she did not get to experience for the overall duration of her time at FVTC. When asked of her favorite experience on campus, “Hands down our study tour to New York City. There was a wealth of knowledge to be had and so many memories made with wonderful classmates and instructors.” Nicole is currently very content with her job at Kimps Ace Hardware. She feels that family is her number one priority and that her current job allows her to juggle both her professional and home life. She also has obtained many different resources and outlets through her current job that allows her to feel connected to the design and retail world. Finally, if she could give and interior design student advice it would be this, “Enjoy your time while in school, get involved if you can, and make friends. Some of the dearest people in my life are classmates I went to college with. Finally, apply yourself and watch what possibilities will come your way.”