MOA Grad Life | 1 Year On
After completing the Master of Architecture at the University of Newcastle the graduates go through an exciting year of finding a pathway through the working world and applying their acquired knowledge. Exploring new places, meeting new faces and encountering new challenges and opportunities. We asked some of the 2017 graduates to share some of their experiences.
James Ellis
What are you doing now?
I'm working at CarterWilliamson in Sydney as well as doing some tutoring and research at the uni. However, as of September I'm moving back to Newcastle as my partner and I have just bought a run down studio apartment in the city which we will attempt to renovate probably through YouTube tutorials. I think if we emerge with all our fingers and toes we will call it a success. CarterWilliamson have been fantastic proposing I work flexibly from Newcastle and then commute to Sydney once a week or so. It is the future as they say! In short, a little bit of everything.
What has been the most rewarding thing you have done?
I managed a residential project through construction over the past 9 months in Balmain, Sydney and seeing it evolve and take shape as well as the clients' reactions were definitely highlights. Weekly site visits and working directly with builders has also been great.
What have the challenges been?
Learning on the job how to manage a contract, complete progress payments, all of that stuff! I guess also maintaining a good work/life balance.
What would be your advice to future graduates?
I really prioritised looking after myself during 5th year and not burning out by the end of the year or in the transition to working (part of the reason for moving back to Newcastle). Also just concentrate on learning lots and figuring out what you want to do after uni rather than trying to please people.
Jeremy Tackshin
What has been the most rewarding thing you have done?
Hard one, but I must admit tutoring the 3rd Year Architecture design course tops it off. As a recent graduate, helping and supporting students is very enjoyable, especially when they come up with those crazy and amazing ideas, and trying to guide them through the process of 'architecture' - my version of it anyway.
What have the challenges been?
I guess one of the main challenges is knowing where I'm going and by that I mean my career path. Small firm, big firm, solo, residential, commercial, sheds.... Everything I am doing now will somehow shape my future as an architect.
What are you doing now?
Work, work and work, I work a lot (laughs), but that enables me to do stuff I would never have done before.
What would be your advice to future graduates?
Work hard & play hard, take life as it is and be optimistic about things. Ultimately you should enjoy what you're doing. You might not end up doing architecture and it's fine.
XJ Phang
What has been the most rewarding thing you have done? What have the challenges been?
After the completion of the Master of Architecture at UON, I did a backpack trip to Iran and at the same time preparing my portfolio for a few job applications in several countries mainly in Singapore, China and Australia. The trip to Iran was fruitful, however the wait for a job opportunity was longer than I expected.
What would be your advice to future graduates?
I would like to mention that the flexibility of the final year architecture program has been really beneficial, it allows students to explore any topic that they are interested in and be adventurous. My final year project was about a project in Japan and I did some intensive research on the culture, tradition and custom that would impact on the architecture in the context of Japan, and my work has eventually lead me to a job opportunity to work with a Japanese architecture firm. Hence, I would like to suggest the student to take the final year project as a stepping stone to future career or direction.
