Align Winter Newsletter (2) - Flipbook - Page 9
Winter Edition
Awards
Q: How do you manage the balance
between full-time work and part-time
study?
A: I’m very good at time management.
I set myself daily goals to complete,
both at work and at home
academically. I’m also realistic with
how much I can achieve at a given
moment, meaning I always plan my
assignments ahead of time. It’s also
important to listen to your body and
make time for socialising and hobbies.
Q: Has your role at Align influenced
your studies, or vice versa?
A: Definitely! I use the knowledge
gained at work to influence my
university projects and essays. I’ve
shadowed and assisted in the design
process on some large-scale projects
(i.e. Catterick LUF and Oakbridge
Primary School), which influenced how
I designed a multi-story educational
building for university, after learning
about spatial design and Biodiversity
Net Gain. Researching and writing
essays on listed building
refurbishments has also influenced my
design approach at work, on similar
residential properties in need of
retrofitting.
Q: How has Align helped build your confidence and career?
Q: What first attracted you to Align?
Q: If you could swap jobs with anyone at Align for a day, who would it
be?
A: I saw the opportunity arise, which
was a great blend of my creative and
technical interests. I think part-time
study whilst working in the industry is a
great alternative route to get into the
profession, with added financial and
experiential benefits.
A: I’ve gained hands-on experience across all RIBA stages, notably
leading my own Stage 4 Technical Design packages, as well as
preparing and hosting my own construction meetings. Being able to
communicate verbally to large groups is such an important skill for
personal development, something I had not previously done before my
career at Align.
Q: What are your aspirations/goals for the next few years?
A: My current aspiration is to graduate university with First Class
Honours, then work towards full CIAT Chartership. In the meantime, I
would like to continue working on my own projects to gain more
professional experience.
A: Probably someone from the Project Management team. Some of my
responsibilities overlap with theirs, and I’d like to see how they organise
and liaise directly with different disciplines.
Managing Director of Align, Ron Walton, said:
