“I'm not a great writer, partly because English is not my first language. I struggled throughout Elementary, Middle, and High School. It was in Art School that something finally clicked. “
“As an artist when painting or drawing, at a subconscious level I was communicating with shapes and colors. Then it was in English class at art school that writing finally clicked for me too. I thought to myself, "paint a picture for your audience" with words rather than shapes and colors”.
“You won't know what you can do if you don't try, TRY TRY TRY! There are things that I didn't think I could do until I tried. Some turned out to be easier than I thought. Some things were harder than I thought, but I learned what it took to accomplish it. Sometimes dumb luck helps. Sometimes I fail, but I always learn from those experiences.”
“I am a better writer now and I would credit my strong work ethics to Art School and Architecture School along with examples set for us by our immigrant and refugee parents.”
“I learned about architecture by chance, when I was in art school. I saw that people that studied architecture were employed in many fields.
I partied less and studied more to get through art school and architecture school. It was the right decision. The right decisions don't have to be hard. I pursued my goals to give back to my parents and community, especially the Lao community. The Lao elders are my inspiration. Seeing their work ethics inspires me.”
“Architectural education doesn't limit you to just designing buildings. Being an architect is about being a good planner and communicator.”
“For example, first we come up with a design idea, then we plan the execution of that idea, then we communicate how to execute that idea. The communication part is very important with regards to drawings, diagrams, and lots of written documents. With a lot of coordination among project teams, such skills of those with an architectural education are valuable assets in various institutions."
“I am currently working as senior Industrial Designer for a Signage
Environmental Design company. I help bring a project to life by using my design and construction knowledge to coordinate with the architects, engineers, and construction teams.”
“I'm proud of our culture. There’s love, respect, and charity. I keep in mind that what I do and how I represent myself reflects not only on me, it reflects on how people perceive my family and our community. So I practice respect, kindness, and honesty.”
“I’ll continue to participate in the Lao community. I'm proud to see what the new generation is doing and achieving, I'll keep cheering them on.”
