What area of interior design or interior design specialty would be best, based on my education and background?
The area most appropriate for you will combine all your abilities, while creating a unique specialty. This will enable you to differentiate yourself from your competition. Interior design specialties are being created all the time, besides the obvious differences between commercial, residential, hospitality, etc. Ex: Historic Preservation, Kitchen/Bath, Home Entertainment/Theater, Feng Shui, etc. Zero in on what you like the most, what will set you apart from the pack and what you do best. A little experience in the real world may also help, but having a sense of direction will help guide you to obtaining the right experiences, thereby fostering your growth and reinforcing a chosen specialty.