The Career EXPO is a collaborative event hosted by San Diego’s leading post-secondary design-education institutions, and local professional organizations active in key design and development sectors.

The morning program will feature workshops and panels, followed by the Career EXPO, aka ‘Turbo Networking,’ taking us into early afternoon.

SCHEDULE

7:45 – 8:30am | Welcome to Your Future

WIA Leaders in the profession will kick off the program with words of inspiration, featuring noteworthy leaders and their origin stories. We will also announce the first ever recipient of the 2021 Women In Architecture Diversity Scholarship.

Marlene Imirzian, FAIA is the founding principal of Marlene Imirzian & Associates Architects.  The firm is known for its design excellence, project performance, and as a leader in integration of sustainable design practices for building.   The work is for a wide range of projects including public, private, and residential work.  In 2016, the firm was selected as No. 18 of the Top 50 Architecture Firms in the U.S. by Architect Magazine, and has been repeatedly ranked in the Top 50 for sustainable design. Her work has been published internationally and featured in the books “Desert Architecture”, and “1000x Architecture of the Americas”.  She applies research to design and recently developed a prototype for a net zero entry level single family home.

Her work has been awarded numerous design awards including local and regional design awards from the American Institute of Architects, and Southwest Regional Best Project by Engineering News Record.  Marlene was elevated to Fellow of the AIA for design in 2013.  In addition to practicing architecture, Marlene teaches and serves as a guest lecturer and visiting critic at architectural schools.

Marlene Imirzian, FAIA

Marlene Imirzian & Associates Architects

8:30 – 9:15am | Fundamentals

Aimed at pre-collegiate students interested in pursuing degree programs in architecture and design, this session will feature representatives from leading So. Cal universities and colleges who will outline the application process, academic programs, campus life, tuition and housing costs, and more.

Adriana Detrinidad,

NewSchool High School Field Rep.

Mark is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the CAED with focus on student success, including interdisciplinary engagement, developing diversity, equity and inclusion in the college, and working closely with the dean and associate dean for program support and operations to further the mission of the college.   Prior to joining Cal Poly in 2002, he practiced as a registered architect in Chicago for seven years, with a focus on developing innovative learning environments for K-12 schools.  

Mark Cabrinha,

Assoc. Dean of Academic Affairs, CalPoly.

Jose Parral is a designer and educator with an MA in Landscape Urbanism from the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London 2001, recipient of the Kate L. Brewster Rome Prize in Landscape Architecture, American Academy in Rome 2007, and visiting Professor at Ohio State School University Knowlton School of Architecture 2005-2006. Currently operates a small design practice and is associate professor at Woodbury University San Diego, California since 2008.

Parral collaborated with artist Thomas Glassford on a permanent installation along the US-Mexico Border for Insite 2005. In 2006, he was the recipient of the Kate L. Brewster Rome Prize in Landscape Architecture, American Academy in Rome. While in Rome, Parral re-evaluated temporal relationships between human occupations in public spaces and as a result of the research produced a short film in collaboration with composer Ken Ueno. His interest in developing various ways of measuring the city lead to a study research of performance of the human body in relation to the urban environment. Parral’s partnership with Ken Ueno continues from a video installation while in Rome 2007, and recently the ConfluxCity exhibition in New York 2009, and set design for a musical performance in San Francisco in 2012. Jose has been associated with various landscape architecture firms within California and is currently part of an international group of designers, Office 24/7.

Jose Parral,

Architecture Chair, Woodbury University.

Jennifer Park counsels prospective freshman and transfer students regarding admission policies and procedures for the USC School of Architecture.   In addition, she is the point of contact for high school students interested in the Summer Exploration of Architecture program.

Jennifer Park,

Executive Director of Student Services, USC.

9:15 – 10am | Foundations

Hiring managers and HR representatives from architectural firms of varying sizes will offer up insights for crafting a solid resume. From formatting to keywords, let these recruitment gatekeepers walk you through what it takes to go from submitting your application to securing an interview.

Steven is a Senior Associate and Studio Director with Gensler where he engages workplace, government, cultural, and not-for-profit clients with a focus on consensus building, sustainability and design excellence.  In his free time, he volunteers with AIASD, SDGBC and NewSchool promoting quality design, livable communities and sustainability. 

Steven Shinn, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP

Senior Associate, Studio Director, Gensler

Beth Russell,

Talent Development Specialist, LPA

Chikako is a Principal of Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects (RNT) and has more than 35 years of experience in all phases of architecture and planning, including many community college, higher education, academic, institutional, medical, community/public and residential projects.  With Chikako’s leadership, RNT has continued to exceed clients’ expectations and create meaningful, sustainable environments for communities to enjoy.

Chikako Terada,

Principal, RNT Architects

A native of San Diego, Kevin deFreitas is a licensed architect and developer who is extremely passionate about the quality of the built environment. Kevin deFreitas Architects, AIA was established in 1998 as a multidisciplinary practice to expand beyond the traditional boundaries of pure design, allowing the firm to self-develop several highly innovative urban in-fill projects that otherwise would not have been achievable.

Kevin Defreitas, FAIA Principal KDA Architecture

10 – 11am | Future Forward

Many pathways lead to a career in architecture; many avenues await you along your journey. Join moderator Boone Hellmann for a panel discussion of architects representing varying areas of focus, including forensic architecture, spec writing, lab planning, and project management. Explore sample projects and a “day in the life” of each panelist; ask them which path they took to get there and why.

Laura is the Director of Planning at San Diego State University. Laura is responsible for campus strategic and master plan management, capital program development, CEQA Actions, facilities planning and design, and facilities data and records oversight, as well as the Facilities Graphics studio and sign shop.

Laura Shinn, AIA, AICP

Director of Planning, SDSU

Marcus is a 30 year industry expert in health and wellness planning and design. His portfolio covers a diverse range of healthcare facility types and specialises in evidence based design, sustainability, facility programming and master planning. 

Marcus Thorne,

Senior Medical Planning, LPA

Kurt has worked for over 30 years in project management of health care construction projects as well as 7 years as full time construction specifier preparing specifications for a variety of theme park attractions, restaurants and hotels for a major amusement park and entertainment company. He currently works at UC San Diego Capital Programs Management, his main role is managing health care projects. 

Kurt Schwarm,

Project Manager, UCSD

Mr. Dinslage graduated with architectural degree from the University of Nebraska in 1984, worked as an intern architect in Denver, CO and moved to San Diego in 1988.  He became a licensed architect and began his focus on forensic architecture in 1991.  Mr. Dinslage is an owner and CEO of RHA Construction Forensics Group, Inc. and is licensed in 6 states.  The firm provides architectural forensic analysis, building envelope consulting, and architectural reconstruction services throughout the southwestern US.

Scott Dinslage, CEO, RHA Construction Forensics Group.

 For 30 years, M. Boone Hellmann, FAIA was the Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Facilities Design and Construction and Campus Architect at UC San Diego. He is an expert in planning and design of a very broad range of higher educational facilities and now is on the board of directors for Degenkolb Engineers and Layton Construction as well as Trustee for California Western School of Law.

Boone Hellmann, Former Campus Architect, UCSD

11 – 2pm | Turbo Networking

Featuring local employers, each with their own breakout room, plus private appointments so that you can make connections briskly and practice your elevator pitch. You can select which employers you’d like to connect with via an online booking schedule, but you must complete your general registration first so that we can send you access to online booking.

Academic Institutions:

Design Institute of San Diego

NewSchool of Architecture and Design

Palomar College

Southwestern College

University of California, San Diego - Urban Studies and Planning

University of San Diego

Woodbury School of Architecture