1. Tell us a little about your career trajectory since you graduated from UT.
During my last year in school I was applying and searching around the country for the best location and firm culture that best fit my preference. In the spring I was accepted into the Sasaki Summer Internship, so after graduating I was able to join that internship. At the end of the summer they offered me a full time position and I accepted. I moved out to Denver and have loved it out here ever since.
During my last year in school I was applying and searching around the country for the best location and firm culture that best fit my preference. In the spring I was accepted into the Sasaki Summer Internship, so after graduating I was able to join that internship. At the end of the summer they offered me a full time position and I accepted. I moved out to Denver and have loved it out here ever since.
2. Tell us a bit about your current firm and projects or type of work you are doing.
I work with Sasaki in their Denver office and I am now a Landscape Architect in their LACE discipline, but I get to work with the planning, Architecture, and Civil teams fairly often. Sasaki has a large range of project types and sizes. I have worked on projects ranging from 500 acres to .5 acres, parks, waterfronts, plazas, sports facilities, campuses, master plans, mixed-use developments, and marketing pursuits.
3. Are you licensed? If yes, when did you get licensed and do you have anything to say about that process?
Yes, I received my license in January of 2025. I would say the amount of content seems intimidating but once you get the hang of the format and your study process and get past that first exam, then it is much smoother to push through the rest.
Yes, I received my license in January of 2025. I would say the amount of content seems intimidating but once you get the hang of the format and your study process and get past that first exam, then it is much smoother to push through the rest.
4. How has your degree in landscape architecture helped you to achieve your goals?
It opened the door to a larger variety of project types that I am more passionate about, spaces that I personally spend some of my favorite moments in.
5. What do you wish other people knew about our MLA program/Landscape Architecture/SoLA?
Getting to study alongside students coming from other undergraduate backgrounds makes for more diverse designs and perspectives, and it has made it much easier for me to keep an open mind and to collaborate with my coworkers. There are always different ideas and processes, so MLA is a good way to prepare yourself. The small free time you might have, push softwares and subjects that interest you. These pursuits will differentiate you, setting you apart from your classmates and showing off your personal passions.
Getting to study alongside students coming from other undergraduate backgrounds makes for more diverse designs and perspectives, and it has made it much easier for me to keep an open mind and to collaborate with my coworkers. There are always different ideas and processes, so MLA is a good way to prepare yourself. The small free time you might have, push softwares and subjects that interest you. These pursuits will differentiate you, setting you apart from your classmates and showing off your personal passions.
6. What would you tell someone who is thinking about pursuing a career in landscape architecture?
I have loved my direction, but I would recommend talking to alumni and anyone you may know working in the industry. This will help you understand the variety of directions you can go. There are many industry firms and organizations etc. that offer totally different roles and experiences. Everyone I have met has followed a different path and it's helpful to know some of those options.
7. Are there designers or firms that you follow consistently? What is it about their work that you are attracted to?
It's really cool to be inside some of Sasaki's work and to talk with coworkers about what they are working on. There is plenty of work from our competitors and some local small firms here in Denver that are really amazing. I enjoy the work done in the parks and mixed-use projects near me.
It's really cool to be inside some of Sasaki's work and to talk with coworkers about what they are working on. There is plenty of work from our competitors and some local small firms here in Denver that are really amazing. I enjoy the work done in the parks and mixed-use projects near me.
8. Any fond memories of your time at UTK that you would like to share?
I will always remember the painfully slow elevator, eating way too many bagels, late night exacto/box knife incidents, hot dog cart lunches, early morning and late night pin ups, and the horrible smell of laser cut plexi. These may not sound like "fond" memories, but they are what I miss most.