Two Perspectives: Isac + Christy

Below is a Q+A with Isac and Christy to get an inside look at their involvement with the HKS Internship Program.

Isac Valenciano — Intern, HKS Singapore

Student at The University of Oklahoma, pursuing a bachelor's degree in architecture

Why did you choose HKS for your internship?

HKS was an exciting internship opportunity because it competes globally in various departments, offering me the potential to experience different sides of architecture.?

What are you working on right now?

I am currently assisting with the visualization and composition of a master plan in Malaysia.?

What part of the design process has been your favorite? Why?

Being encouraged to be creative has been my favorite aspect of design; rather than being confined to a specific workflow or idea, we are inspired to explore various media and software to generate innovative concepts for unique projects.?

What are you hoping to learn during your internship?

I am nearing the end of my internship, and my initial expectations of this internship have been quite different from what I experienced. Before joining HKS, I anticipated assisting with tasks that others might find time-consuming. However, my experience has been entirely different from the moment I arrived. I have had the opportunity to contribute to multiple projects at various stages, which has allowed me to rethink architecture and its processes.?

Christy Chong — Architectural Designer, Forum

Full time employee at HKS Singapore

What sets the HKS?summer?internship?program apart from others?

The HKS?summer?internship?program first sets out to understand what aspects of architecture an intern desires to learn and gain experience on. In project teams, interns are seen as vital contributors to the ideation and design process. Our interns are valued for their fresh ideas and are often given the opportunity to take on portions of the project by themselves. The nurturing environment created by everyone in the office also enables our interns to not just hear from different perspectives but also gain insights that will stay with them for the rest of their architecture career.?

Why do you choose to be involved with the intern program?

Having been an intern at HKS, I know first-hand the potential struggles that interns face. Being an?internship?supervisor allows me to prepare interns for such situations, cater support, and ensure our interns have a positive learning experience.?

How has being involved with the intern program helped you in your job?

Over the past 1.5 years of hiring and managing interns, I have enhanced my leadership skills. These skills are transferable to my primary role as an architectural designer, improving my ability to guide and motivate others in my team. Helping interns navigate challenges has also sharpened my own problem-solving skills in tackling complex design issues and find creative solutions in my projects. Managing interns requires strong organizational skills to balance their tasks and learning goals with my own workload. This has enhanced my ability to manage multiple aspects of my projects effectively.

What advice do you have for current and future interns?

To our current and potential interns at HKS, we urge you to be proactive! Ask questions, set goals for yourself, and speak up in design discussions and project huddles. We want to help you maximize your learning at HKS and give you a strong foundation in architecture that will set you on the right track for the rest of your career.