Got my first job! Working as an architectural designer

Name: Marina Miers

Hometown: Miami

Degree/Major: Architecture

Where are you working? At AECOM as an architectural designer

How did you get your job?
My intent was to find a job in a multinational company with lots of traveling opportunities. AECOM, listed as the largest AE company in the world, was very enticing. They had an opening at their Roanoke location.

What was your greatest fear going into your first job and how did you face it or overcome it?
Right after I left FIU, I had no fears. I relish everyday in my new role as I learn about our profession outside of the academic setting.

What surprised you the most about your first job?
The liberty and design ownership my leaders allowed.

What advice do you have for those beginning the job search process?
Go after what you want, make yourself heard. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.

What does a day on the job look like?
At the moment I am working on a project for the Air Force. I’m designing a hangar and a helicopter maintenance unit for a base that performs rescue missions and humanitarian work all over the world.

How does your job connect back to your coursework?
A large part of design during a project is having/acquiring all the information pertaining to the posed problems the client presents. FIU does a great job at training students to think in this way. Exploration is based on realistic project parameters.

How have you transitioned from school to work? How do you balance your time?
It’s a hard thing to compare, they are both extremely different processes in terms of balancing time. Work is more structured, smaller deadlines and specific tasks. School work is infinitely open to continual growth.

What’s been the coolest thing about your job so far?
Traveling to different places around the world. Learning to work hand in hand with different cultures is just amazing!