I immigrated to the United States five years ago with a strong conviction to build my new life around the profession that I worked so hard to obtain in my native country of Mexico.  At first, the challenge to live up to my own American Dream seemed overwhelming.  Everything from the system of measurement to the construction standards were as foreign to me as the English language itself.  But I am perseverant by nature.  I held firmly to my belief that my education and experience could contribute positively to the field of architecture in this country.

I spent much of my first year in the US in a public library, improving my language skills and learning the technicalities of the American construction system.  Then, I was given the opportunity to intern as a designer at a small studio in Berkeley, California.  Although daunting, I was captivated by the challenge, feeling somehow like a mason with a meter learning from a carpenter with an inch.

            My responsibilities at the firm in Berkeley were basic compared to the projects I had worked on as a licensed architect in Mexico but it was an invaluable experience because it boosted my self confidence. I proved to myself and to my supervisors that I am a quick learner and an efficient worker.  In the subsequent years, I have worked on residential, retail, and religious projects for various companies in Northern California. Most recently, I worked as a consultant designer for the federal government on health care projects at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto.

I attribute my success to my ability to adapt to new professional environments and diverse colleagues.

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EXPERIENCE

 

I am second-generation architect along with my brother; I have been involved in the field since early age in my life. My professional career experience in the last eight years has included: Institutional, commercial, religious, healthcare and residential projects.