THE FIRST SIX MONTHS AT U+A: FROM INTERN TO PROFESSIONAL – AN INTERVIEW WITH FARIDA SALEH
“I believe the most valuable skills to have are the ability to think conceptually, bring fresh ideas to the table, and more importantly, be willing to continue to grow and learn no matter what is thrown your way.”
Farida Saleh joined U+A back in January of this year and has since then been involved in multiple projects of various scales. She is a recent architectural graduate from UCLA, and chose U+A for her internship program thanks to which she was selected to be a permanent employee at our office. Farida joins us today to discuss her experience through the first six months of her time with us, and elaborates on her transition from being a student to a professional.
How would you describe your experience throughout the first six months at U+A?
“My first 6 months at U+A have been an exciting and engaging experience, with a steep learning curve involving the development of new skills and getting accustomed to the workflow of a professional architecture firm. Throughout the past 6 month I have experienced invaluable personal and professional growth through my collaboration with different members of the U+A team and my involvement in a range of ongoing projects.”
How was U+A able to accommodate you within the workflow of the firm as a newly graduated student?
“As an architecture student, I had the opportunity to be a part of U+A’s Internship Program. During my internship, I had the privilege of working with the concept team on a high profile competition entry through which I was exposed to the conceptually rich design philosophy that forms the basis of every U+A project. This experience was also a great way to gain exposure to the day-to-day workings of an architectural firm, and allowed for a more seamless transition into the company as a junior member of the concept team upon graduating. With the continuous support and mentorship of my team who are always willing to help and share their skills and expertise, I was quickly able to get accustomed to the workflow and expectations of the firm.”
What skillsets did you find most valuable to you as you came into the industry as a fresh graduate?
“Needless to say, having a good range of software skills and keen eye for graphic representation were a valuable asset to have coming into the industry as a fresh graduate. Since joining U+A, I have gained a plethora of skills, both technical and otherwise, in a relatively short span of time. Thus, I believe the most valuable skills to have are the ability to think conceptually, bring fresh ideas to the table, and more importantly, be willing to continue to grow and learn no matter what is thrown your way. Our field is an ever-evolving and rigorous profession – a strong work ethic and the welcoming of new challenges are key to one’s personal and professional success.”
