By April Garon

NATCHEZ — It didn’t take long for Gabrielle Wagoner to realize how important being organized is in the workplace.

“In school, you have a lot of projects that can build up on you, but you can procrastinate,” Wagoner said. “In the real world, it’s different. You have to get things done.”

Wagoner is interning this summer at Waycaster & Associates Architects. The Louisiana State University student from Vidalia is majoring in interior design. She will be a senior this year.

Wagoner said she enjoys design and working with people, and that the residential side of interior design appeals to her people-skills.

“I love to hear what clients like and things they want for their home,” Wagoner said. “I want to work through their design problems and meet their standards.”

Her first love is residential design, but Wagoner has discovered a newfound interest in commercial design during her time at Waycaster & Associates.

“It seems like I have learned more about AutoCAD (design software) this summer than since I was a freshman in college,” Wagoner said.

So far she has performed many duties specific to her field, including creating floor plans, elevations and going out to measure clients’ houses.

“I organized the design library — a database of paint colors, fabrics, woods, ceramics, tiles and other materials — in a day,” Wagoner said. “I’m proud of myself.”

After graduation, she plans to complete the process to acquire a license in design, which involves taking a two-part test and working under a licensed architect or interior design firm for two years.

Wagoner said the internship has been a wonderful opportunity and a great experience for her. She likes being on a set schedule and learning the rules and standards of the workplace.

“I feel like in school you learn basic knowledge about your field,” Wagoner said. “But in the internship setting, you learn so much more about how it is in real life.”