Design & Remodel Brothers Internship

Hailey Becker Explores Interior Design with Design & Remodel Brothers Internship 

By Andrew Baltes

This summer, local high school student Hailey Becker gained first-hand experience in the world of interior design through the Cherokee Summer Internship Program. Partnering with Design & Remodel Brothers, a Woodstock-based business known for high-quality renovations, Hailey spent her summer learning not only about design but also about teamwork, client service, and community involvement. 

A Hands-On Experience 

When Hailey began the internship, she expected to spend most of her time on a computer. Instead, her experience expanded far beyond her expectations. 

“I thought I’d be more inside the showroom,” Hailey shared. “But I got to visit project sites, shadow my bosses during client meetings, and even attend community Woodstock meetings.” 

One of her favorite projects was designing a home gym. “I created a layout online and presented it to my bosses,” she explained. “It was exciting to take a design from concept to presentation.” 

Skills and Lessons Learned 

Working alongside the Design & Remodel Brothers team gave Hailey valuable insight into the industry. 

“I learned about the design process, different materials, and how to interact with clients,” she said. “It confirmed that interior design is a path I want to continue pursuing.” 

Support from her mentors played an important role throughout the summer. “Anytime I had questions, whether about the computer work or ongoing projects, my bosses and Dania were always available to help,” she explained. “Once, I realized I had been working on the wrong design for a presentation. I asked for advice, and they guided me on how to fix it. In the end, I still finished on time.” 

Christin Becker, Hailey’s mother, speaks a little more on the program.

She says, “This has been the best summer for Hailey, in the sense that she has gotten so much real work experience that will actually benefit her now and in the future. From the very beginning, with the zoom call for resume assistance, the 1-1 interview help and the orientation – all this was HUGE! To know she already has a resume that has been reviewed by an HR professional is something not all 16-year-olds have.

The program provided her with all this before the internship even began, where she got even more real world experience with interacting with coworkers, having conversations with your boss and what professionalism looks like in the workplace.”

Advice for Future Interns 

Hailey encourages other students to take advantage of opportunities like the ones offered by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development's Summer Internship Program.

“Be open to new experiences,” she advised. “Even if you’re not sure about a career path, this internship can help you explore different options. You’ll gain practical skills, learn about customer service, and understand how to work with clients, all while being part of your community.” 

Looking Ahead 

For Hailey, this internship is just the beginning. “Since interior design is my chosen field, the skills I gained might put me ahead in college,” she said. “And the people I met here will always be a resource for guidance.” 

The Cherokee Office of Economic Development's Summer Internship Program in partnership with local businesses like Design & Remodel Brothers, continues to provide valuable career exploration opportunities for students across the community. 

Learn more about Design & Remodel Brothers at dnrbros.com  and about the Cherokee Summer Internship Program at cherokeega.org/work-in-cherokee/summer-internship/