College of Design students have a new opportunity to interview with firms across the country.Celebrate Design 2001, the college’s first career day, will take place in the atrium of the College of Design building from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.”We are taking steps to evolve a traditional career day for architecture into a college-wide event,” said Margo Hutcheson, program coordinator for the College of Design. “This is our first step towards evolving.”Matthew Stewart, career day chairman, said 400 letters were sent to different firms around the country, inviting them to attend. Thirty-six firms will be present on Friday, with more possibly joining at the last minute, he said.Holding the career fair at Iowa State is convenient for design students and alumni, said Stewart, senior in architecture.”By being able to have it here, it’s more than just a career fair,” he said. “Many alumni come back for the event.”Because the fair has expanded beyond architecture, several different disciplines will be integrated within one firm, Hutcheson said. Students will be able to personally see how each discipline is interconnected with each other.”We’re really focusing this year on involving all of the Design Center,” said Scott Steffes, career fair organizer and junior in architecture. “Every group has their involvement with what they’d like to see. We’re really cracking down to make this bigger than it’s ever been.”In previous years, the college attracted only local firms, Stewart said. This year, there will be firms from the east and west coasts, including Pickard Chilton Architects of Connecticut, HKS of Texas and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership of Seattle.Breakout sessions will also be offered at the career fair. These will include interview tips, portfolio or resume workshops, alternative careers in design, the Internal Development Program and Project Profiles, Stewart said.”It’s a chance for the students to see how a professional project incorporates all aspects of design — each of your different curriculums,” he said.Stewart said there will also be several time slots available to set up interviews.”It’s a Friday event, but we’re giving them the option of more interviewing sessions,” he said. “Students are encouraged to set up interviews.”Students can set up interviews for Thursday, Friday evening and Saturday morning, he said. Despite the Thursday and Saturday times, it’s not guaranteed that all of the firms will be present on those days, Stewart said.