Christina Young '27
BS Architecture Student | Sustainability Minor

I knew that the school of Architecture and Allied Arts was different when I went to orientation as a senior in high school. The IPAL program was introduced early on. By the end of the presentation, I knew that CUA cared about more than just my success as an architecture student. They wanted my career to be successful too. I joined the program as a freshman with a basic understanding of what it meant. I wanted to take advantage of an opportunity to learn more about a career that I was becoming more passionate about each week as my first design studio course had begun.

The first powerpoint presentation was at the start of the second semester during my freshman year, and David Lanetti outlined a general understanding about networking, summer internships, portfolios, logging AXP hours, taking exams, and more. The steps I should take at this time were explained clearly. In January of 2024, I understood what it meant to be an IPAL student, and how I could get a head start in my architecture education and future career. Each semester more information was introduced at a greater level of detail. If I had questions, there was always someone I could talk to.

After the first meeting, I felt motivated and less nervous for my first architecture career fair. From that, I ended up interviewing for a few construction internships. The following year, that interview number grew, and I accepted an offer. I gained hands-on experience at a construction site, logged AXP hours, and expanded my network. This increased the next year, where I accepted an internship and began working part time in February of my junior year that continued into the summer. These opportunities took dedication and hard work to earn, and I know without a doubt that the IPAL program is to credit for my success as I've continued my architecture education. I'm very grateful to the IPAL program and CUA faculty for supporting me and providing opportunities to help make these experiences possible.