#dariom

Having engaging and communicative Practice ConnEx buddies has made this experience both motivating and supportive. The AIA reading emphasizes that meaningful mentorship grows through intentional, consistent connections, even in informal settings. This year, I commit to supporting and mentoring peers through shared experiences and encouragement. I am ready to make this commitment because these engaging relationships build confidence, encourage growth, and help strengthen a more connected and supportive professional community.

Our mentor at AECOM was Pablo. He is a very organized and approachable mentor and truly a model of what it means to be organized. He is always willing to teach and support us, making sure we get the most out of this externship week at AECOM. Every morning we meet with him to talk about what he’s working on and go over our schedule for the day, and he makes sure we’re meeting with the other architects at the firm. He’s intentional about creating learning opportunities, allowing time for breaks, and encouraging questions. Today, he also organized a lunch with other AECOM colleagues so we could talk with them, learn from their experiences, and start building our professional network, which shows how mentorship and sponsorship happen through guidance, access, and connection.

After speaking with a member of the design team, I learned that the client’s sustainability-first priorities strongly influenced the firm’s workplace culture. This focus pushed the team to work closely together, rely on research, and communicate openly, creating a shared sense of responsibility for delivering resilient and meaningful public architecture.

At AECOM, intercultural competence is rooted in awareness and influence. The architecture team brings together professionals from many cultural backgrounds, each contributing unique experiences and ways of thinking. These perspectives shape conversations, design decisions, and collaborative processes. The environment encourages openness, listening, and mutual respect, allowing architecture to emerge as a collective effort informed by multiple voices and global understanding.

A fascinating experience and a genuinely warm welcome at the AECOM office. I was amazed by the way the firm operates: the openness, the collaborative spirit, and the thoughtful approach to every design challenge. There’s a positive energy in the space that’s immediately felt, an atmosphere that encourages curiosity, dialogue, and everyone to bring their best ideas forward. What stands out most is working on huge projects with real impact. Spaces and infrastructures that touch real lives and are seen, used, and experienced by countless people every day. It’s inspiring to be in an environment where design is driven by both rigor and enthusiasm, and where good vibes translate into meaningful, lasting work.

This week, I’m excited to join AECOM, one of the world’s leading design and infrastructure firms. I am enthusiastic about how people from different backgrounds come together to create impactful design and how a positive workplace culture helps them do their best work. I hope to contribute to an environment where curiosity is welcomed, ideas are shared openly, and everyone feels supported to create meaningful work.