Dutchess County Students Gain Architecture & Engineering Experience in Poughkeepsie, NY
Earlier this year, LaBella’s Poughkeepsie, New York, office hosted two Dutchess County students interested in architecture and engineering as part of the Youth Leadership Program hosted by The Chamber Foundation. This leadership development program offers high school students the opportunity to have substantive interaction with their peers, community-based service organizations, higher education institutions, and professionals from local industries, cultivating their academic, social, and life skills. Learn more about the Youth Leadership Program here.
For five weeks, Senior Architectural Designer Joe Rodriguez and Civil Engineer Gabe Monck-Zweck spent time teaching the students about architecture and civil engineering. By the end of their internship, the students learned about:
- Site selection
- Design concepts such as grading and layout
- The basics of peer and town review
They also learned how to:
- Use engineering and architectural scales
- Design a functional residential layout that responds to client needs and interests
- Mass spaces and circulation paths in a balanced manner
- Show materials for various façades
“On day one, the students arrived with limited knowledge of architecture and engineering. On their last day, they were excited and eager to learn more! As a mentor, it was really rewarding to see the new concepts ‘click’ for the students. They learned a lot, and it also heightened my excitement for the architectural field.” – Joe Rodriguez | Senior Architectural Designer
“This experience really helps students understand what it means to be an architect or an engineer. Students—myself included while in high school—are sometimes directed toward engineering because they excel in math and science. However, learning directly from a design professional can help students truly gauge their interest in the field.” – Gabe Monck-Zweck | Civil Engineer
As the school year in New York winds down, we reflect on our responsibility to help develop the talent of tomorrow. It starts with engaging young people early by educating them on the opportunities our industry offers and giving them a meaningful, challenging, and engaging experience that will inspire their career paths.