2006 INTERNS

ASHLEY AINSWORTH

Senior, Boston University

Back for her second summer with the firm, Irvine-native Ashley worked in the Colors and Graphics Department, helping assemble material broads, prepare trim-out books, color renderings and editing graphics.

Three things she learned this summer: “How to use Photoshop proficiently, different architectural styles and their characteristics, the process of selecting colors and materials, and how to communicate the options to clients.”

How this summer will impact future career plans: “This internship has helped me understand architectural styles and different interpretations using color and materials. As a set design major, all the info I have learned is very relevant to my studies.”

What would you say to other students considering an internship opportunity at BLA? “The internship opportunity at BLA is an excellent experience, because the staff do all they can to make your experience as good as possible and cater to your individual interests.”

MARIO ESPINOZA

5th year, Woodbury University, School of Architecture

Back for his second summer experience in the Production Department, Mario usually works on detail drawings and revision sheets.

Favorite/least favorite aspects of your summer job experience: “I enjoy the environment at BLA and I like working here. The commute from Los Angeles to Newport Beach is my least favorite aspect this summer, but I get to work happy and I leave work happy every day. A real highlight is that once a day Lenz Casilan takes some time to teach and explain something that I did not understand or did not know.”

What three things do you know now that you didn’t know before: “How to use DataCAD, how to draw details, and I now have a better understanding of how to look at a complete architectural set.”

How will your experience this summer impact your studies and your future career plans? “Working in Production has helped me to better understand California codes, how to be a better designer and to be more productive.”

What would have improved your experience here at BLA: “Nothing. BLA is one of the best firms I have ever worked for.”

What would you say to other students considering an internship opportunity at BLA: “The company has a good internship program; it teaches so many things that one can apply in school. It’s a great successful company, and the employees are wonderful. I am hoping that my stay here at BLA will be for a very long time. It’s like a second home for me. You will enjoy the summer interning at BLA, and they always have free drinks and sometimes food, too.”

SETH TROTTER

4th year at Cal Poly Pomona in the Architecture Department

Seth will study in Denmark during this academic year. During his first summer with BLA, he interned in the Design Department on Hans Anderle’s team. Introduced to the firm by Romeo Ty, on a typical day Seth created and finished tree elevations, made corrections on floor plans and handled lots of little random things to help the team.

Favorite/least favorite aspects of your summer job experience: “My favorite part of this summer-job experience is the fast-paced work I do with my team. It keeps me fresh. My least favorite part would be not sleeping in.”

What three things do you know now that you didn’t know before: “I now know DataCAD. I have a better understanding of the architectural process. I also now know that big architecture offices aren’t cold and characterless, but can be quite jovial and friendly.”

What would you say to other students considering an internship opportunity at BLA: “The people here are very warm and friendly, and the company makes a lot of effort to take care of its employees. Enjoy your time with BLA.”

SCOTT NEIMAN

3rd year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Landscape Architecture

New to BLA, Scott selected the firm for his internship experience after speaking with Kevin Stracner at a job fair and learning more about the Land Planning Department opportunities.

On a typical day I: “assist Kevin and Curtis with a variety of tasks ranging from yield analysis, earthwork analysis, presentation layouts and illustration.”

Favorite/least favorite aspects of your summer job experience: “My favorite activity is working side-by-side with a planner doing anything, particularly when they’re thinking out loud. They have a lot to teach. There were a few downtimes when there weren’t tasks, and that wasn’t much fun.”

What three things do you know now that you didn’t know before: “How to conduct a conceptual earthwork analysis, how to establish a street-section hierarchy and use the R.O.W. dimensions to create a yield analysis, and how much better Photoshop CS2 is than Elements.”

How will your experience this summer impact your studies and your future career plans: “I enjoyed community development and have a renewed appreciation for TND (traditional neighborhood design). I am going to study TND and sustainable construction techniques to see how they can fit together. I’ve learned a lot about the design process from Kevin and plan to use some of his strategies in my studies. I plan on finishing up school and then either go directly into the field or go on to grad school.”

What would have improved your experience here at BLA: “More side-by-side design and less illustration. Access to CS2, AutoCAD and other professional software would have helped me to be more useful.”

What would you say to other students considering an internship opportunity at BLA: “Do it.”

HEBER SLABBERT

2nd year, Montana State University

Referred to BLA by a family friend who happens to be a client of the firm, Heber worked in the Design Department revising floor plans, editing and creating marketing booklets, and creating 3-D massing models.

Favorite/least favorite aspects of your summer job experience: “The work environment at the firm and the quality and friendliness of those in the Design Department were definitely my favorites, but how you all put up with the California traffic I don’t understand!”

What three things do you know now that you didn’t know before: “The balance between time limitations and quality, Adobe Photoshop, and the process, steps and components of designing a house.”

How will your experience this summer impact your studies and your future career plans: “My experience at Bassenian has fueled my passion for this field, confirming that this is the best profession for me. During my time here, my tasks have been challenging, thus increasing my skills and proficiency in everything from presentation to finding room for one more closet in a room.”

What would you say to other students considering an internship opportunity at BLA: “I will definitely be encouraging my fellow Montana peers to seek an internship here, because I consider this firm to be the best at what they do and because of the attitude and expectations of the principals and senior designers. There is much to be learned, even if residential architecture is your preference.”

TERESSA BOUGHEY

Final year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with one year to finish her Architecture degree and half a year to finish her MBA

Back for a third summer at BLA as a member of Craig’s team in the Design Department, Teressa assisted with floor plan and elevation corrections and design. She also helped pull together awards graphics.

Favorite/least favorite aspects of your summer job experience: “I love the atmosphere here at BLA; the energy of the office makes you want to come to work. The people here all seem to really enjoy what they’re doing. The least favorite: my sore neck from working on the computer all day. (That I can live with!)”

What three things do you know now that you didn’t know before: “Data CAD, alternative presentation layouts and ideas, and how to add the final touches to a project.”

How will your experience this summer impact your studies and your future career plans: “I have new ideas for future projects, real-life experience versus just book learning. When I graduate, I want to work in an architecture firm, as well as potentially use my MBA.”

What would you say to other students considering an internship opportunity at BLA: “This is an exciting and energetic group of people, who will keep you learning and challenged throughout your time here.”

REMY JUNIO

Two years from graduation, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Architecture

Mentor Romeo Ty encouraged Remy to pursue an internship experience. As a member of Ali’s team, Remy worked on a lot of Photoshop assignments and presentation boards.

What do you know now that you didn’t know before: “Events that occur in coordinating projects; whether it is international or between departments, exactly how important the phrase ‘time equals money’ is, and how important project hand-off is between different departments.”

How will your experience this summer impact your studies and your future career plans: “This is actually my first internship experience. I have been exposed now to the ‘real world,’ and with this new information, I will prioritize what it is that I invest my time exploring.”

What would have improved your experience here at BLA: “A network event for us intern students to communicate; it would ease the introduction process.”

What would you say to other students considering an internship opportunity at BLA: “Take advantage of the opportunity. The people are all friendly and most are willing to share wisdom. Suck information – as much as you can. Draw it in, because there is still so much to learn.”

LETI CHAGOLLA

4th year, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

After learning about the firm at a school career fair and getting a rave recommendation from a classmate, Leti rotated and worked with all the different departments: Graphics, Design and Planning.

On a typical day I: “would meet with my supervisor and review my tasks of the day. I worked mostly on Photoshop or DataCAD. I asked questions constantly, and team members gladly helped. I usually stayed late, helping different groups with last-minute projects.”

Favorite/least favorite aspects of your summer job experience: “My favorite thing about BLA is the environment; everyone is very friendly and kind. I also like the team effort on all projects.”

What do you know now that you didn’t know before: “I learned the organization, workload and functions of a firm. It was good to get a feel of what real work in the architecture field is like. I also learned presentation skills for clients in renderings, poster boards, etc. Finally I learned computer skills, Data CAD and the other Photoshop versions.”

How will your experience this summer impact your studies and your future career plans: “I am really happy to say that I learned a lot of new presentation skills and computer skills that I can apply in future projects at school and work. I also learned that the work environment will be one of my priorities in picking a permanent job.”

What would have improved your experience here at BLA: “I had a great experience working with all the different departments; however, I never got the chance to attend a meeting with a client, which I believe would have been nice. I would have also liked to take part during design discussions and be involved in that process. I got a little taste of that in the Planning Department. I also would have liked to be introduced to the principals sooner and develop a closer relationship with them. I didn’t meet them until my last week of work.”

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