Apr 15, 2024
Chipman Design Architecture’s mentor/mentee program boasts a total of 43 mentees and 24mentors. As part of our commitment to nurturing the next generation of architects and designers, we’re thrilled to spotlight the remarkable women at CDA who both are guiding and being guided. This program not only supports professional and personal growth but also fosters a supportive community where ambitious women can thrive under the guidance of accomplished mentors.
We asked Claudia Uribe – Project Associate II, Kim Julison – Project Associate I, and Rebecca Garma – Project Associate, a series of five questions about their career journey and challenges of their careers in architecture.
Claudia: My initial interest in architecture began with my mom. When I was younger, I used to find/gather straps to build a house for my toy hamster at the time. My mother introduced me to architecture with a drawing book and encouraged me to research the field. From there, I enjoyed the beauty architecture gave through design. The overall structures created are always captivating, but the communities formed are what I find enriching. Through the mentorship program, I sought someone who had philosophical values in architecture or who was further involved outside of work. Melody is part of an amazing program that helps restore existing buildings and preserve history.
Kim: My motivation to pursue a career in architecture was fueled by the support system I was met with when I showed interest in the field of the built environment. Every internship I had while working through school, I worked under male supervisors and alongside male counterparts who commended me for my interest in the built environment and recognized the hardships that may come my way in a male dominated field. They wanted my voice to be heard and stood up for me in moments when my abilities were questioned. Seeing how many women there were in leadership positions at CDA, I was excited to join the mentorship program and learn more from a female mentor, who may or may not have had as encouraging of an experience as me. Someone who has learned experience of how to handle adverse situations that we may be put in as females in the field.
Rebecca: My family is full of people in the medical field and immigrated from the Philippines, making me first generation. I was never surrounded by anyone in afield related to architecture, let alone architecture. I grew up in love with design and honestly loved HGTV (this show taught me the word “architecture”). It wasn’t until I was in my junior year of college, studying technology and project management, in an internship where my supervisor asked me what I wanted to do long-term and I answered “architecture”, that I realized I needed to switch fields. I started studying architecture after finishing my undergraduate degree and am in my 4th year of masters. Lauren took a chance on me when we became classmates in the same program, and I’ve been a mentee since I started two years ago! I have a big hunger to learn and am grateful for these resources. My initial expectations were that it would be a Q&A, but Nelly made it more easy and allowed me to discuss anything I wanted.
Claudia: The value of communication and stepping outside of your comfort zone. A lot of times people are afraid to speak up, not knowing if what you are asking is ‘too much’. However, you won’t know the answer until the question is asked. Melody has done a phenomenal job in aiding my confidence to speak up when wanting to gain new exposure/development within CDA.
Kim: An important piece of advice Lauren has given me during our mentoring sessions is the importance of being strong and confident in my convictions. Projecting external confidence even when not feeling the most confident internally will not only build my confidence in communicating but others will be confident in my abilities and answers moving forward.
Rebecca: Nelly told me that I don’t need to rush anything. It’s still something I remind myself of every day because I always feel behind, starting my career so late. I stop and remember everyone is still actively learning, just like me.
Claudia: The biggest challenge I have faced is keeping myself accountable to my personal goals. Melody not only keeps me accountable, but she guides and motivates me. Two of my professional goals have been to take steps to grow within CDA, and to apply to grad schools. By meeting with Melody, it has kept me organized in goal setting and has helped me acquire the necessary steps to achieve what I have set. She helps me further develop, acknowledge the resources, and support I have at hand.
Kim: Entering the field, I was not confident in my skills to communicate effectively in larger group settings and phone calls with outside consultants. Lauren worked with me on these skills byrunning through practice scenarios and providing advice on how she prepares for client interactions and public speaking opportunities. We created goals to build upon, first by taking on more coordination calls between consultants, and then presenting in smaller group settings, and working my way up to be more comfortable in more formal meetings and presentations.
Rebecca: I had a whole plan of what I expect my career to go like. I wanted to finish school ASAP, wanted to learn the role of a PM as a PA, wanted to start setting myself up for exams, etc., I eventually crashed. My health took a complete turn and forced me to slow down. I ended up getting a disability at school and slowed my hours down so I could heal. Our mentoring sessions changed, and Nelly told me about healing and the importance of health. I know this answer is unrelated to architecture, but it was so vital for me to hear from someone I look up to, that I would be okay and that I needed to prioritize my health. I felt related to and truly felt Nelly’s empathy, which is ironic that my answer is about that, while her answer is as well.
Claudia: One of the best resources for goal and career development has been this mentorship program. Having someone to share experiences with serves as a reflection of the different paths and opportunities available to achieve the goals set.
Kim: Moving forward in the mentorship program, Lauren and I will further develop goals to build my skillset in my current role and prepare me to tackle more tasks. As these goals build out into longer term objectives, I hope to explore the various areas of the firm and the field of architecture to find out where my skillsets can best be utilized.
Rebecca: I had 5million questions since day one and now I have 6 million questions. I definitely plan on reaching out once I am less busy with school to keep asking questions! Picking apart Nelly’s brain has helped me, and I know will keep helping me once I dive into testing.
Claudia: Through the mentorship program, I have been given the opportunity to grow in architecture by learning about other organizations outside of the firm. I have yet to join them but have become familiar with their work.
Kim: Having Lauren as my mentor has piqued my curiosity about understanding the business aspects of a firm. Understanding how the decisions made at higher levels impact my day-to-day work and how my contributions as a project associate impact the firm. Sharing my everyday tasks and understanding Lauren's everyday tasks has shown me the interconnectedness between individual tasks and larger organizational decisions, encouraging me to ask questions and gain understanding about the decisions being made by my project managers.
Rebecca: Like I brushed upon earlier, I need to slow down and realize I will always be actively learning in this field. There is so much to learn, so much to ask about, and so much to see. I definitely want more experience with construction and how things are put together. And I want to learn how to install windows so I can tell Nelly and she can finally show her mom.
Chipman Design Architecture (WBE) is a people-first, family-owned retail, hospitality, architecture, and senior living architecture firm composed of innovators, architects, and interior designers who love collaborating, breaking boundaries, and creating spaces for tomorrow. For over forty years, the firm has separated themselves with a focus on the future in regard to organizational structure, customer experience and fostering community. With corporate headquarters in Chicago, and five additional national offices, Chipman Design provides interior design, experiential design, and architectural expertise throughout North America. Today, the firm’s Principal team, led by third generation family member, and CEO, Lauren Chipman, offers innovation and professionalism through complete architectural and interior design services. Through membership in the U.S. Green Building Council, the firm’s commitment to sustainability and lowering energy consumption continues to reinforce recognition of the critical role of architects in today’s world.
