#maggiec

It is hard to narrow down my favorite part about this externship. After just one week I have learned so much about DCAMM and the people who work there. I was inspired each day by the passion, work ethic and overall camaraderie of DCAMM as a whole. This externship is an opportunity I didn’t know I needed and I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity!

This semester I would like to focus on being a good mentor for students at the BAC but also in life. As the TA for Open Studio I work with Foundation students who are just starting out at the BAC and some are just starting out their journey in the design world. In my position I feel it is of upmost importance that I set a good example while also being available to them to answer any questions they may have about the BAC or life in general. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and I think it is extremely important for people, who are able, to come forward and be there for other students to help guide them through life.

Our mentor, Brenna, has guided us through the week and has been at every meeting, site visit, walking tour and even checks in during our desk time. She has curated a week filled with wonderful balance of fun and a plethora of knowledge. Brenna has all the qualities of a great mentor because she has always made sure to meet our needs, check in multiple times a day, and would often ask for feedback on how we felt about our schedule. 

The Shattuck Hospital Relocation Project is a $525 million dollar relocation project located in Boston. This hospital will be operated by the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Correction and the Department of Public Health. The old Boston Medical Center building will now be home to the new Shattuck Hospital, but as they have gone through the construction process they have had to gut the preexisting building more than they anticipated. The project has mainly affected groups working on the project due to the parameters required for safety measures. Because the DMH,DOC and DPH will be housed here, no one could overlook a single detail. They have windows especially made to prevent people from injuring themselves as well as toilets, door knobs and so much more. This project really inspired me to consider working on projects designed for Mental Health, due to the amount of changes in detail from a typical building.

Intercultural Competence is the ability to work as a unit successfully  across cultures, speak appropriately in cultural contexts, communicate/ work with people with different cultural backgrounds. DCAMM harbors a very inclusive environment where there is encouragement on growth and attaining goals. DCAMM also makes sure to focus on awareness, development, compliance and influence by valuing communication, socialization and communication. Even though DCAMM houses around 500 employees, they make sure to create an environment where everyone feels supported.

Workplace culture is different in any given office environment. What is comfortable for one person might be uncomfortable for another. Communication and understanding is a great way to create an environment that is safe and fulfilling for all. Something positive about DCAMM’s workplace culture is that there is a sense of teamwork, passion, and communication is encouraged. Although there are many groups/divisions making up DCAMM as a whole, it is clear they do a great job at communication between the smaller groups and the organization as a whole. It is interesting and inspiring to me that an office as big as DCAMM, housing around 500 employees, can have such success in communication and a sense of teamwork.

My name is Margarita Calhoun but I go by Maggie. I am a 5th year B. Arch student and I was born and raised in Pensacola, FL. I grew up in the performing arts and danced in a professional ballet company for 4 1/2 years. Both of my parents are also architects and they own their own firm, so I have grown up in a design environment. I would like to create an open collaborative and creative culture where new ideas are welcome and there is a strong feeling of team.