Name: Marina Miers
Hometown: Miami
Degree/Major: Architecture
Where are you working? Job Title? AECOM, 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 inticing. They had an opening at their Roanoke location which, and their largest client is the DOD. When I first applied I received a call back the next day.
What was your greatest fear going into your first job and how did you face it or overcome it?
I felt that right after I left FIU, I had no fears. I was a go getter and marveled everyday in my new role as I learned 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 your self 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 Airforce. I am designing a Hangar and a Helicopter Maintnance 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. I feel that FIU does a great job in tuning in student to that frame of mind, where exploration is based on realist project parameters.
How has your transition 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!
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