environmental policy
With the introduction of the Climate Resiliency degree program at Wentworth halfway through my bachelor's degree, I am grateful to have been able to take such a progressive course that tackles our world's most pressing matters. Particularly because of its deep roots in architecture and the understanding that, as designers, we need to be transparent in our impact, whether that be through carbon emissions, waste production, energy inefficiencies, or contributing to the extinction of some of Earth's most precious ecosystems. My final project was to draft an environmental policy proposal of my own. The policy proposes the establishment of a federally operated regulatory framework to standardize, verify, and enforce VOC emissions compliance nationwide. It addresses the current shortcomings of LEED v4.1 and SCAQMD guidelines—namely voluntary compliance, self-reporting, and jurisdictional gaps—by introducing mandatory data submission, third-party verification, and a VOC emissions database. The goal is to ensure all existing and future construction materials meet consistent, enforceable VOC standards across the United States and to move toward a generation that prioritizes both our environment and public health.
criminology
In my first exposure to criminology, I spent a lot of time studying the work of notable theorists such as Niederhoffer, Skolnick, and Thornberry. Using their work as a foundation, I developed an interest in critically examining concepts like deviance, strain theory, and anomie. This interest culminated in my final project, which explored the history of the private prison system and mandatory minimum sentencing policies. Personally, this course, along with sociology, helped me to contextualize and mature my perspective, sense of responsibility, and understanding of policymaking's importance in our nation and the world.
sociology
Building on my time studying criminology, sociology directly complemented my work in architecture. Designing as a human for humans requires understanding social dynamics, breaking boundaries, and creating inclusive spaces for all people—regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, age, or socio-economic status. Consequently, I found this course very fulfilling and carried many of its teachings with me, particularly how our understanding of race, ethnicity, and gender roles has evolved over time. My final project surveyed 50 Wentworth students to assess their willingness to participate in different types of surveys. Variables included a control survey with no given privacy details, one with a clear incentive, and 2 versions representing student-led and faculty-led surveys. The goal was to determine whether Wentworth students value anonymity or confidentiality more. Results showed 71.4% prioritize anonymity, 86% prefer student-led surveys, 72% would participate for incentives, and 58% would respond without knowing privacy details, showing a clear preference for anonymity over confidentiality.
Principles of economics
Furthering my study of economics from high school was a great refresher and prepared me well for signing my first lease. I applied what I had learned about the fundamentals, such as the market demand curve, price elasticity of demand, small businesses, and the housing market, to strengthen my understanding of my responsibilities as an adult living on my own for the first time. I took this course before moving into my first apartment in Boston and commuting daily to Framingham for my co-op/internship. During that co-op semester, I maintained a detailed spreadsheet of my personal finances, tracking every expense, paycheck, tax deduction, and budgeting category. This system allowed me to easily manage bills, pay for gas and parking each week, buy groceries, and still have enough left over to go out with my partner and splurge on tickets to Boston Calling and the Newport Jazz Festival.
INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
During my first co-op/internship semester I failed to secure a job. I spent this time taking a course that Wentworth provides, taking LinkedIn learning courses on AutoCAD, Rhino, and Adobe products to keep my skills fresh and build marketable skills for my resume. A self-directed choice that arguably prepared me more for my next job search was enrolling in IO Psych the following semester while back on campus.
Learning about workplace dynamics, leadership, organizational structures, and most importantly what hiring managers are looking for was instrumental to me building my first portfolio and a more effective resume. After finishing the course, I attended one of Wentworth's many job fairs and was able to present myself professionally and network with many employers, one of which being my first co-op at Perini in Framingham. I firmly believe this would not have been possible without applying what I had learned in this course.
Learning about workplace dynamics, leadership, organizational structures, and most importantly what hiring managers are looking for was instrumental to me building my first portfolio and a more effective resume. After finishing the course, I attended one of Wentworth's many job fairs and was able to present myself professionally and network with many employers, one of which being my first co-op at Perini in Framingham. I firmly believe this would not have been possible without applying what I had learned in this course.
PSYCHOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP
Following the success that IO Psych brought me in the professional world, honing my leadership skills in another psychology course under the same instructor was a clear choice. This paid off greatly, keeping my oral presentation skills on point, building self-efficacy, reading works by Robert Greene, and learning the foundations of the leader-member exchange, path-goal theory and the importance of accountability in leadership. I participated in many influential projects in this course including examining the discography of Patti Smith, reviewing the film Oceans 8, and presenting progress in my individual goals in music writing, recording and performing with my new band here in Boston.