This week, senior architecture majors are busy putting the final touches on their thesis projects, as well as undergoing reviews by professors and invited critics.
Good thing they have their post-graduation plans sorted out.
In fact, most senior Notre Dame architecture majors have positions with national and international firms before they leave campus. The School of Architecture hosts an annual career fair where graduating students interview with firms and first- through fourth-year students build relationships that lead to internships and eventually full-time employment.
Some seniors choose to work at architecture firms and others opt for graduate school or service work. Below, a few soon-to-be graduates tell us where they're going next and what they'll miss most about their home under the Dome.
Randi McQueen
Architecture and French and Francophone Studies
Where I'm Going: Appleton Partners, Santa Monica, CA
Position: Designer assisting in the design of high-end residences, updating changes in construction documents, assisting in creating presentation drawings, visiting job sites, and coordinating with clients.
What I'll Miss Most About Notre Dame: I will miss the people at Notre Dame the most. I've developed so many great relationships with not only my peers, but also with several professors and Notre Dame staff. I'm lucky to have so many different types of mentors, both professional and personal, that I can contact when I leave South Bend.
Ryan Dolinar
Architecture with Finance Concentration
Where I'm Going: Irwin G. Pasternack, AIA + Associates, Phoenix, Arizona
Position: Intern architect assisting with Schematic Design - Construction Documentation
What I'll Miss Most About Notre Dame: Shockingly, I'll miss those late nights with everyone in studio finishing a project with the deadline quickly approaching.
Paige Russell
Architecture with Sustainability Minor
Where I'm Going: HBRA, Chicago, IL
Position: Intern architect working on a variety of higher education, civic, and residential projects.
What I'll Miss Most About Notre Dame: My classmates
Priscilla Quaye
Architecture and Italian, Italian Studies Track
Graduate School: Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT; The home campus is in Middlebury, Vermont; however, this particular program begins first in Oakland, California, and then in Florence, Italy.
Program: Master’s in Italian
What I'll Miss Most About Notre Dame: I'll miss just seeing people all over campus and stopping for five or ten minutes to chat and catch up with them, whether it was someone from my closest friend circle or someone I had a class with freshman year. It was amazing to be on a campus that is small enough to feel like I knew many of my (2017) classmates; that sense of community is something I'm not sure many colleges have.
Rachel Staud
Architecture
Where I'm Going: G.P. Schafer Architect, New York, NY
Position: Draftsman participating in the design of high-end residential homes, assisting in developing construction drawings, and engaging with clients on site visits and design meetings.
What I Will Miss Most About Notre Dame: I will miss the supportive and spiritual community of Notre Dame. I will treasure the lasting friendships that I have developed with my peers and professors over my five years at Notre Dame.
Jessica Casamassima
Architecture with Historic Preservation Concentration
Where I'm Going: Hart Howerton, New York, NY
Position: I don't know exactly which project I'll be placed into yet, but the firm does many types of work including residential, hospitality, planned communities, and so on. I'll be assisting architects in design and creating drawings.
What I'll Miss Most About Notre Dame: As a fifth-year, many of my friends have already graduated. But after this year I'm really going to miss the great community of friends I've made through the architecture school.