HPU Students Network, Build Professional Skills at High Point Market
Dozens of High Point University students worked alongside thousands of home furnishings professionals during the fall High Point Market, which ran from Oct. 17-21. Olivia Johnson, a sophomore interior design major with a minor in business administration, enjoyed meeting people and learning about the furniture and design industry as she worked in the Four Hands showroom.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 22, 2026 – Dozens of High Point University students worked alongside thousands of home furnishings professionals during the fall High Point Market, which ran from Oct. 17-21.
Students sharpened their life skills and gained real-world experience in the home furnishings, design, marketing, merchandising and sales sectors as they handled various job responsibilities during one of the world’s largest home furnishings tradeshows.
“I’ve learned a vast amount about furniture through working the market — pricing, material, manufacturing and more,” said Alex Fisher, a sophomore interior design major from Lake Orion, Michigan. “Working the market is what piqued my interest in the furniture industry and encouraged me to minor in home furnishings. I want to use that to further my knowledge beyond interior design and open more opportunities for myself in the future.”
Ella Wilbern, a sophomore marketing major with minors in healthcare management and supply chain, was one of 14 students from HPU’s Earl N. Phillips School of Business who assisted sales representatives in the showroom for Caracole, a luxury home furniture brand.
“In working at market, reaching out with personal connecting points to a customer can make a huge difference in the conversation,” said Wilbern, who is from Arvada, Colorado. “Making someone feel as a friend in a conversation always changes that atmosphere. It has allowed me to grow my network, but also further my skills, customer service and communication.”
Garth Robinson, president of Jonathan Charles Fine Furniture, said he was impressed by the professionalism shown by Nate Evangelista, a senior sales major from Winthrop, Massachusetts, and Yoav Hertz, a junior finance major from Demarest, New Jersey, as they worked for two years in his showroom.
“They get better every market,” he said. “Honestly, they’re value added.”
High Point Market provided a strong foundation for Natalie Beronio, a senior interior design major with a minor in Chinese. She built upon that foundation during her sales role at the Woodbridge Furniture showroom.
“Working in sales has taught me how to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, whether that’s providing quick, accurate answers to customer questions or navigating different personality types,” said Berino, who is from Middletown, Delaware. “A big part of my success comes down to reading social cues, listening actively and delivering high-touch customer service. Interior design isn’t just about making things look good, it’s about working with people. Plus, working in a fast-paced sales environment taught me how to handle client questions quickly and stay calm under pressure. It means I can build trust fast and keep design projects running smoothly.”
Nikki Schreiber, a junior interior design major, was one of more than a dozen HPU students working in the Bernhardt Furniture Company showroom. Through her work at market, she learned about all aspects of the furniture industry.
“From manufacturing to install in the client’s home, my experience from the High Point Market with Bernhardt has allowed me to better understand the details that make up each furniture piece,” said Schreiber, who is from Middletown, New Jersey. “I work alongside furniture sale representatives who have taught me how to sell a product and interact with the clients, helping me improve interactions. I can apply the knowledge from working in the showroom to projects in class to make the results mirror a real-world design project.”
Mia Zuccaro, a freshman interior design major, agreed working in the Bernhardt showroom provided a better understanding of the interior design industry beyond the classroom. She said getting this early exposure to the industry is incredibly valuable since she hopes to someday own a residential design studio. She was able to learn from professionals, build connections and see many opportunities available within the design field.
“I’ve been able to see firsthand how showrooms present their collections, how important relationships and networking are within the industry, and how much thought goes into the way furniture and accessories are displayed,” said Zuccaro, who is from New Hartford, Connecticut. “It has been exciting to experience the industry in such a hands-on way as a freshman and to see how the concepts I’m learning in my interior design classes translate into the professional world. Seeing how design concepts come to life in a professional setting will help me approach future projects with new ideas and a stronger understanding of how creativity translates into real spaces.”
Destiny Webster, a junior interior design major and home furnishings business minor, scanned badges and greeted customers as they entered the Bernhardt showroom.
“My experience working at High Point Market has greatly enhanced my knowledge about the interior design industry beyond formal academic education,” said Webster, who is from Durham, North Carolina. “This fall, I completed my fourth event with Bernhardt, and each of those experiences contributed to my understanding of the industry and what goes into setting up a showroom for the market. I learned about the significance of showing a showroom properly, attention to detail, organizational skills and creating a welcoming environment for clients and people in the industry.”
Victoria McFarlin, a freshman interior design major, shared a similar experience at the Bernhardt showroom.
“Working at the market taught me responsibility, teamwork and communication skills that will help me succeed in my future career and higher education,” said McFarlin, who is from Davie County, North Carolina.
Olivia Johnson, a sophomore interior design major with a minor in business administration, enjoyed meeting people and learning about the furniture and design industry as she worked in the Four Hands showroom.
“Working at High Point Market has taught me how important communication and networking are,” said Johnson, who is from Durham, North Carolina. “I think this experience will help me in my future career as an interior designer. It has allowed me to make connections, learn about different furniture companies and see new design trends.”
Salem Parker, a junior business administration major with minors in healthcare management and music, said her work for Cooper Classics during the market reinforced the importance of communication, professionalism and customer service skills.
“I have learned how to interact with people from different backgrounds, adapt to new situations and understand the work that goes into making a large event successful,” said Parker, who is from Yadkinville, North Carolina. “It has also helped me see how important networking and making a positive first impression can be in the business world. As someone who hopes to pursue a career in business management and eventually become a CEO, I know that learning how to work with people, build connections and understand different aspects of business will be valuable. The experience has also helped me grow more confident in professional settings and prepared me for future internships and career opportunities.”
Megan Whittleston, an interior design major with a minor in visual merchandising design, learned about sales and how to communicate with potential buyers while maintaining professionalism as she worked during the market with LDN Art Collections.
“I’ve also learned that there’s much more to market than just furniture, such as artwork, accessories and lighting and even robot lamps,” said Whittleston, who is from Ambler, Pennsylvania. “Knowledge is a gift, and attending market will help build your portfolio of knowledge to be able to apply to your career in the near future.”