"I started in college as a Mechanical Engineering major at Walla Walla University. I spent about a year and a half pursuing that degree, but never feeling like that was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Eventually I had to have a heart-to-heart with myself and with my adviser about my career. I realized that while I liked what engineering had to offer it didn’t present many opportunities for me to be truly creative. I spent some time thinking and praying and decided Architecture was the path I truly wanted to follow. I came back to visit the School of Architecture here at Andrews a second time and my experience was completely different than my initial visit here. I decided to do the summer intensive to try and catch up in my new major. I was the only person that summer to take the intensive for the first year studio and got to know some of the professors fairly well. They helped me transition from the purely technical mindset of an engineer into the design based mindset you find in architects. I ended up taking a full load that summer so that my time in engineering school would not put me too far behind. It was tough, but completely worth it. The time I spent in engineering school has helped me to understand some of the more complex sides of architecture such as structures and loads, while also helping me to see problems from two points of view. The lessons I’ve learned while here at Andrews will help me as I navigate professional relationships and the architecture world. The best part of the timing of my education is the classmates that I’ve gotten to be with for these 4 years. They’ve helped push me to be the best designer I can be while also just being great friends to laugh, talk, and grow with. The memories and friendships I’ve made here will stay with me for the rest of my life."
Rebekah Gaines | 5th Year | Sacramento, California USA