Background

My love for building design was evident starting in middle school when I would stay up late on school nights creating various designs in SketchUp. Once it was time to choose my degree path, I still knew I wanted to be involved in the design of buildings. However, I didn’t think I had the artistic ability or creativeness to become an architect. I had the mathematical abilities to become an engineer so I thought becoming an engineer would be great way for me to be involved in designing buildings. I graduated with my bachelor’s in civil/structural engineering in the spring of 2021 and started a full-time position as a design engineer at a local structural engineering firm. In the last couple of years of engineering school I started to lose interest and thought about dropping out on multiple occasions. I decided to push through and get the engineering degree. After getting my first full-time structural engineering position, I quickly realized that I did not want to do engineering for the rest of my life. Engineering was too logical/methodical based for me and I desired to do something more creative. I was more excited about getting the architectural plans and seeing what the project would look like than I was to do the engineering. I would also start critiquing the architect’s work thinking about changes I would make. I started searching for a way to join the architecture side without having a degree or experience in architecture. Fortunately, an architecture firm took a chance and allowed me to join their retail team. Now that I truly know this is what I want to do, I am excited to get my degree, become an architect, and work on projects that are inspiring, exciting, and provide a positive impact in the world.

Job experience

• November 2025 - present
  Technical Designer
  Cicada Company
  

  Kansas City, MO, USA

  Production of detailed technical drawings, elevations, sections, and plans
  • Collaboration with interior design team to translate design concepts into buildable plans
  • Verification of constructibility by coordinating drawings with construction methods, code requirements, and material specifications
  • Preparation of full permit drawing sets
  • Creation of custom cabinetry, millwork, and casework drawings
  • Coordination with engineers, construction team, and fabrication shops to ensure drawings are accurate and buildable

• November 2024 - May 2025
  Architecture Designer
  Independent Contractor
  

  Eugene, OR, USA

  • Designed retail stores utilizing the client’s prototypical store designs
  • Created 3D models, test fits, and construction documents using Autodesk Revit

• January 2024 - February 2025
  Facilities Engineer
  USDA Forest Service
  

  Eugene, OR, USA

  • Drafted construction contracts for facility projects
  • Overseen project construction ensuring construction was completed in accordance with the project drawings and specifications

• November 2021 - June 2023
  Design Staff 1
  Perspective Architecture + Design
  

  Mission Woods, KS, USA

  • Designed retail stores utilizing the client’s prototypical store designs
  • Created 3D models, test fits, and construction documents using SketchUp and Layout
  • Was the lead architectural designer that worked directly with the client to develop test fits and construction drawings for a new retail design concept. For this special project, I was the only designer assigned to this project out of all of the nationwide architecture firms and teams that the client utilizes to execute their retail design program.
  • Tasked with submitting permit applications as well as responding to comments received from the jurisdiction to gain final permit approval

Education

• University of Oregon
  Master of Architecture
  

  2023 - 2023

  Completed the introductory summer term of the program. I have plans to start school at Portland State University in the fall of 2027 and finish getting my masters degree.
• University of Missouri - Kansas City
  Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
  

  2018 - 2021
• Ozarks Technical Community College
  Associate's Degree, Civil Engineering
  

  2016 - 2018