(Bonus 010): Q&A with Architecture Graduates - Joanna Smerina

This week on Architectette, we’re spotlighting the voices of recent graduates from architecture programs across the globe. We asked all of our guests the same questions to gain insight into their unique experiences as they transition from academia to professional practice.

From how the pandemic shaped their academic experience to the movie that best describes their studio life, we dive deep into the highs and lows of their time in school. You'll hear some of the best pieces of advice they received during critiques, their thoughts on navigating internships, and the challenges of job hunting. We also asked about the surprises they encountered when they first entered the workplace, mentorship and management, and how they're learning in hybrid environments.

Finally, we asked our guests to look toward the future: we chat about how they plan to approach their AREs, what advice they'd give to the next class of graduates, and what they hope their legacy will be when they retire. 

Joanna Smerina is an architectural designer actively pursuing licensure. As a graduate of Drexel University’s 2+4 Architecture program, she earned a Bachelor’s in Architecture with a minor in Construction Management, completed her AXP hours, and is now preparing for her Architectural Registration Exams. She has received awards for her leadership and design skills and was President of Drexel’s AIAS Chapter.

Stay tuned for the rest of our recent grad features. We will be releasing them on a special schedule so follow us on social media so you don’t miss an airing!

Links:

Learn more about Joanna’s work:

https://issuu.com/aia_philadelphia/docs/fall_2021_context_issue

https://issuu.com/joannasmerina/docs/smerina_j_2024archseniorproj

https://www.instagram.com/artworkby_joannasmerina/

Connect with Joanna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-smerina-48547a192/

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Questions we cover:

1. Introductions: what is your name, where did you go to school, when did you graduate?

2. How did the pandemic affect your academic experience?

3. If you had to describe your studio experience as a movie, which would you pick and why? 

4. What was an impactful critique or piece of advice you received during a crit? 

5. Did you intern during school? 

6. Describe the job application process. Do you have tips for others regarding reaching out, interview questions, portfolio preparation, or software readiness?

7. When applying to firms, what factors were most important to you?

8. Did you negotiate any aspects of your offer? (salary, PTO, schedule?)

9. Once working, what is something about the practice of architecture that surprised you? What is something that you had to overcome? 

10. Is it challenging to learn in a hybrid environment? How do you learn/ interact with colleagues?

11. If you were a manager of recent grads, how would you mentor them?

12. Do you plan on taking your AREs? What is your timeline? Did you accrue AXP hours during school?

13. What advice would you give to next year's graduates?

14. 40 years from now, when you retire, what do you hope is highlighted in your career description?