Callie Peterson, a current student at Heritage Denver, is lucky enough to embark on her second career and pursue her other passion in life. She discovered her first passion and creative outlet as a child, classical ballet. Her passion, dedication, and talent in ballet inspired her first career as a professional ballet dancer. Becoming a professional dancer was a childhood dream come true. After six years of professional dance, Callie decided it was time to pursue her other passion, interior design.
Callies passion for interior design began when she fell in love with playing the Sims as a kid. She would spend hours designing her dream homes and found herself constantly brainstorming ideas for her for the homes she was creating on her computer. Her love was solidified after college when she started living in her own space, where she could take full artistic ownership. When putting together her own spaces, she could happily spend hours browsing home decor stores, thrift shopping, looking at Pinterest for DIY ideas, and reupholstering/refurbishing furniture.
Callie decided to pursue a career as an interior designer because the fear of regret outweighed the fear of failure. “If I “failed,” I knew I could always look back and not have to wonder, “what if?” She is hopeful that a career in interior design will combine many of the skillsets she has developed throughout her own lived experiences and ballet career. This includes her creativity, eye for beauty, symmetry, and balance, organizational skills, ability to problem solve, strong time management, and ability to receive constructive criticism.
Her experience at Heritage so far has included many coexisting feelings and emotions – excitement, nerves, the feeling of acceptance and warmth, and growing pains at times, but all have been entirely rewarding. She has found that the instructors and fellow students have helped put her at ease in remembering that this is an environment where all parties are invested in each other’s growth, success, and fulfillment.
At this time, she envisions pursuing a position with a local interior design firm upon graduation. But she also understands that this desire may evolve as she completes the program. Ultimately she sees creating and operating her own interior design business as a second dream come true.
As Callie embarks on this new adventure, she is proud to know that she is living her life to the fullest and taking on challenges knowing she will have no regrets. “No matter the result, I would encourage anyone to live their life in a manner in which they won’t have to wonder “what if?” If Heritage or a career in interior design is something you’re considering, do yourself the kindness of reaching out to learn more about the school.”