INTERNSHIP TESTIMONIAL

ANNELISE SERNICH

Architecture

This summer I moved to a city I knew nothing about. I was terrified to be alone and jump into a job without knowing anyone or anything about Birmingham, Alabama. Looking back, I can confidently say Williams Blackstock Architects gave me one of the most incredible summer internship opportunities I could ever ask for.

Even on my first day there I was immediately welcomed into an accepting and comfortable environment. The office alone was breathtaking, but even more so were the incredible people I was able to work alongside.

I had the amazing opportunity to work with graphic designers, interior designers, architects of all experience levels, and even partners in the firm. We had a beautiful open office space that allowed us to speak freely with our teams and be a part of everything that happened at WBA.

My favorite part, however, was the importance the company placed on personal life. At Williams Blackstock, there is an understanding that people have lives outside of work, which makes everyone that much more happy to perform well while at the office. I had a health scare this summer and one of my co-workers brought me to the hospital and stayed with me the whole time. They all made me feel like family, which I really needed, being over 200 miles from my own.

I sat in on important meetings, went on site visits, attended interesting lunch-and-learns, and was given a voice in design decisions for incredible projects. From beginning to end I was treated as a valued member of the team, not just some intern. This summer I found a new love of Birmingham and a new confidence in taking chances all because of Williams Blackstock Architects. I truly could not have asked for a better internship opportunity or for more amazing people to learn so much from.

intenship TESTIMONIAL

Nathaniel Rosener

Architecture Co-op

WBA has provided me with an incredible internship experience that has surpassed any of my preliminary expectations. I was initially drawn to WBA because of their attention to detail, quality of design in projects, and their impact on both the local Birmingham and the greater Southeastern landscape. I have always been such a visual and experiential learner, and Williams Blackstock has helped me learn so much about professional practice and design.

During my time at WBA, I have learned the importance of presentation skills, collaborative design, and quality of craft. Through a wide range of meetings, site visits, and interaction with consultants and local clients, I been able to peek into the professional architectural world. I have always felt that I have had a voice to express my design opinions and provide input to members of my team. Since day one, I have further developed my computer modeling skills through various mediums, and I have helped curate presentations for firm-wide design meetings and client proposals. Williams Blackstock has always felt like home to me, and I have learned so much from this team of professionals.

intenship TESTIMONIAL

ANNA DOUGLASS

Interior Design

I chose interior design because I’ve always been passionate about the beauty and functionality that can be cultivated through architecture and design. I’m a creative person and I’ve always wanted a career that would provide me with a fresh experience each day and allow me to express my creativity. When I was younger, my mom would constantly talk to me about the houses in our neighborhood and would take me to furniture stores with her just to look at the beautiful pieces. I think that’s a big reason why I grew up with a strong interest and appreciation for this industry.

I chose to intern with WBA mostly because of the company’s fantastic reputation and wide range of projects. When I interviewed with WBA they placed strong emphasis on hand-on experience and promised that I would have the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of projects. Throughout my internship this has proven to be true. Through this experience I have been allowed to: work directly with designers and architects on a variety of upcoming projects, attend project meetings, product presentations, and client presentations, interact with manufacturers’ representatives, build professional relationships, provide my own input on important design decisions, and much more. I have already learned more than I could’ve ever imagined, and I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to learn from such knowledgeable, experienced professionals this summer.