My parents are from the Middle East, and I grew up in California in a very strict household that emphasized the importance of education, especially math and science. Soon, however, I found that my passion lay in the arts and architecture. Art History was my favorite class in high school, and I also studied drawing and drafting at our local community college. I also volunteered my time with a local architecture firm to become familiar with the profession.

I decided to attend college at UXX, where I completed my degree in environmental studies major. I chose this major because of my love for the environment and keen desire to become a green architect. I also completed three internships during my college experience. My first position involved researching and applying for grants for a program devoted to helping promoted green entrepreneurs. I enjoyed helping students locally and around the bay area to fund innovative projects dedicated to green education. I also organized fundraisers and developed our ties with foundations that might be able to help support our programs.

For my second internship, I worked with a local green architect, XXXX, organizing the information on her websites and then adding additional information concerning educating the public about “green” practice. I helped her market her services by finding conferences and workshops she could attend.  My third Internship was with XXXX Architects and Builders--XXXX and XXXX, in Capitola, CA. Here I did basic everyday office tasks to ensure the firm ran smoothly. I helped them to publish their work on sites such as Architectural Record, Arch Daily, Architizer, Homestyle, and Custom Home and to produce an architecture book that XXXX is currently publishing in Japan. I did 3D renderings of their sketches in the program Google Sketchup, hosted events in the homes designed by the architects, and answered detailed questions about each home to prospective clients and homeowners. I learned basic Autocad and did the topography and elevations for projects and basic interior plans. I helped them to obtain building and planning permits. I also created materials boards with Photoshop Program and looked up building codes to ensure we were up to code in the building plans. Finally, I chose interior accessories for homes currently under construction, such as lighting, hardware, tubs, and tiles, and I worked at the job sites helping with the building.

I hope to one day own my architecture firm with my sister, who is studying to be an interior designer. My central professional focus is on the promotion of green architecture. I want to dedicate my life to fusing buildings into their natural surroundings in increasingly creative ways, with an eye toward energy efficiency. I have always looked up to XXXX, a world-famous architect who is related to my father, and I hope to earn a spot working with her firm after finishing my master's degree. I admire her determination not to be held down by the fact that she is a Middle Eastern woman. Her work inspires me to think outside of the box and create not only a functional building but a piece of art.  

My long-term plan is to own someday an architectural firm that caters to corporations that are interested in leading the way forward and setting an example for smaller enterprises in terms of creative ways to honor and preserve our natural environment at the same time that economic productivity is maximized.