Joining the Team Mid-Career

My first memories of working in architecture all include making models - dozens and dozens of models. I learned a lot about massing and simple forms. This was before Rhino was widely adopted and physical models were an even more important part of the design process. I still think about those early days and how my first work experiences were much like studio life in school.  

I had a two-hour daily commute to New York City from Connecticut and wanted to be closer to home. I had worked my way up to a leadership position at an international firm where I designed residential and commercial high-rise projects. My work experience was primarily in Asia, where I led projects and traveled to Europe and Asia. More than concept design, I really loved putting together drawing sets - learning the intricacies of details for each project, city, and country. I was proud of my career and excited to accept a position at Pickard Chilton where I could continue my work at the same scale and caliber.

I remember my first days at Pickard Chilton and its friendly, welcoming environment. I worked directly with two principals and remember the collaborative energy throughout the team. We were designing a residential high-rise component of a master plan and I was able to apply my previous work experience. After a few months of orienting myself within the studio, I found my niche team where I continue to see a range of projects through design development.  

Have confidence that your experience will lead you to find a career that works for you. Make a point of making a target deadline at the beginning of every task so you and your team can plan and be most efficient. Find balance in life - doing so has made me a happier person and a more productive member of the team.