Master of Architecture students Shannon Smith and Molly Esteve with Professor Travis Bell
Integrated Path to Architectural Licensure Interview with Shannon Smith | 2020
Q: What was your experience in the IPAL Program like?
A: My experience in the IPAL program was great. It opened the door to so many opportunities and connections that I know I would not have had otherwise. I was so lucky to have Barbara Sestak as someone who advocated for me and offered support throughout my journey to licensure.
Q: What firm(s) did you work in as part of the IPAL program, and what type of work did you do there?
A: I've worked at three firms during my time in the IPAL program. During my senior year of undergrad, I started working as an intern at SSOE Group, working mostly on construction drawings. After that, I worked at Capital Projects and Construction at PSU, where I worked closely with architects, project managers, and engineers on multiple university improvement projects of different sizes and scales. During my last year of grad school, I had the opportunity to work at Holst Architecture as an intern, where I worked on multiple project teams working on projects from schematic design to construction documentation. In June, I started working full-time as a Design Staff for Holst.
Q: What did you learn that you wouldn't have been able to otherwise? Were there professionals, designers, or clients that the program gave you the opportunity to work with or meet?
A: While I think working part-time and going to school full-time has many challenges, I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn from the office and the classroom. I believe my knowledge from work enhanced my schoolwork, and my studio work brought a lot of innovation and creativity into the offices I worked in. I think learning how to work in an office and design with other professionals is such a valuable skill and something I was able to bring back into the studio with my classmates. My professors at PSU knew how incredibly important it was to gain experience, and all of them were very supportive of my journey in the IPAL program. Barbara Sestak and Travis Bell were particularly supportive and helped me connect with many professionals that have brought me to where I am today.
Q: How many AXP hours have you completed, and have you completed any of the AREs?
A: I've been able to complete over 50% of my AXP hours. The IPAL program pushed me to begin studying for my AREs while I was in graduate school. Because of Covid, the test I planned to take has been pushed back, but I'm thankful that I started studying early and that the IPAL program kept me motivated.
Q: How did PSU's IPAL program help you in your career plans? Are you working in a firm now, and if so, what work are you doing? What are your career goals for the next 5 to 10 years?
A: The IPAL program really helped to steer my career in the direction it's going today. I was so lucky to have so many flexible professors that wanted me to succeed both in school and professionally. I'm also so grateful to CPC and Holst for being so flexible with my hours and working around my schedule. My first couple of years of experience helped me to realize that I love project management and learning from the construction process, but I wanted to experience the design side of architecture, and the IPAL program pushed me to follow that goal and took me to Holst. I've been working full-time at Holst as a Design Staff for 4 months now. My goal is to finish my AXP hours and tests in the next 2-3 years and become licensed. As I grow in my career, I hope to become a project manager and continue to design projects of different scales that will make a lasting positive impact on communities.
Q: Did the M.Arch at PSU, combined with the IPAL program, open up doors and possibilities for you that you wouldn't have seen otherwise?
A: Absolutely. I'm so grateful that I choose to attend PSU for undergrad and grad. Without PSU, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to participate in the IPAL program. I know the IPAL program gave my resume a professional boost and let future employers know I was serious about licensure and very driven in my career. I know without it, I wouldn't work at my dream job, Holst Architecture (which recently won AIA NW & PR Firm of the Year!). I know the program and the professors at PSU encouraged me to push myself and create goals that I could stick to. As I mentioned before, working and going to school is so challenging, but PSUs faculty is supportive and flexible; by the end of PSUs IPAL program in graduate school, you will leave with an excellent education and great work experience that any employer will be excited about.
Visit our Career Development page for more information about how the IPAL program works and if it is right for you!