Amber graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia (UVA) in May 2024. This is her second summer interning for Moseley as she gears up to begin her first year in UVA’s Master of Architecture program this fall. During her time with the firm, Amber has focused her efforts primarily in our senior living sector in our Fairfax office as she seeks to hone and expand her architectural skill set.
Why did you choose to study architecture?
I chose to study architecture because I wanted a career path that combined both the technical and the creative.
What building typologies are you most interested in?
At the moment, I’m most interested in community-based service institutions. For example, my undergraduate thesis was a community center, garden, and food distribution site.
Is this the first time you’ve done an internship?
This is my second summer with Moseley Architects, and my third time doing an internship.
How did you learn about the internship?
I learned about the internship opportunity when speaking with company representatives at the UVA career fair.
If you had to describe your Moseley intern experience thus far using three words, what would they be?
Rewarding, informative, and consistent. My experience has been rewarding in that it has helped confirm my interest in the field of architecture and allows me to earn hours towards my license. It has been informative by providing me with insight into the architectural world beyond school. Finally, my experience has been consistent because I am comfortable both interacting with coworkers and in completing my tasks on a daily basis.
What are some of the assignments you’ve been given?
So far, I’ve been able to work on creating marketing plans, placing furniture, and preparing renderings. Last summer I also spent time dimensioning and tagging plans and drawing details.
What assignment have you enjoyed the most so far?
I’ve really enjoyed working on the marketing plans because I appreciate seeing my progress in the color scheme of the finished product.
Have you encountered any challenges during your internship?
The primary challenge I encountered was learning to navigate SketchUp when preparing views for renderings. I had never used the software before and had to adjust to the interface.
How has the actual experience differed from your expectations of it?
The actual intern experience has differed from my expectations in that the tasks I have been assigned have been large in scale, to the point that they often take several days to complete. This is not something that I anticipated but it allows me to be fairly independent in my day-to-day.
Have you worked on any projects outside the senior living sector?
While I have not worked on any projects outside the senior living sector, I did have the opportunity to visit the construction site of an elementary school, which I really enjoyed.
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned or the best advice you’ve received during the internship so far?
I’ve learned to advocate for myself and ask for help when I need it. When I first started, I was nervous that asking for help would reflect poorly on me, but everyone has been very welcoming, and I know it is better to ask for help than to do something incorrectly or waste time.
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