Contact

Development and Alumni Relations
Harvard University
Graduate School of Design
48 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
alumni@gsd.harvard.edu

Development & Alumni Relations

Alumni Survey, December 2005

Selected responses to free-answer questions

Back to Survey Summary

How would you describe the overall impact that your GSD experience had on your career choices and directions?

  • "The GSD taught me how to think strategically about complex subjects, environments and situations."
  • "The environment of challenging peers, difficult schedule/constraints, and the rigorous insistence that ultimately one had to rely on independent solutions gave me the confidence that has been essential in later life."
  • "Being surrounded by other students who were inspiring, challenging and competitive, provided me with the impetus to prove myself. I developed an incredible work ethic which helped me immensely as I began work after graduation."
  • "It prepared me to operate at a higher intellectual and critical level, to demand more from myself and those around me, to think critically, to be willing to take risks and to assume responsibility"
  • "I learned to ‘think’ about problem framing at the GSD. It provided me with a degree of confidence that has carried over to my career."
  • "A threshold experience; empowering; the springboard to my career and - more importantly - to my ability to reinvent my career over time."
  • "The GSD has provided me with an excellent education, an outstanding network of alumni and a school with an international reputation."
  • "It completely changed my life"

What would you describe as your greatest professional accomplishment since attending GSD?

  • "Establishing my own company."
  • "Becoming a principal/owner of an architectural firm."
  • "Becoming partner in a successful, established practice."
  • "Publication of my book."
  • "Authoring and/or editing several books and many articles."
  • "Teaching at a major university."
  • "Teaching and presenting lectures at local universities."
  • "Serving in the state legislature."
  • "Serving in the Maryland Governor's cabinet, as Secretary of State Planning, for ten years."
  • "Protecting, preserving and expanding open space in the metropolitan Boston area."
  • "Achieving a highly paid, upper level position at an early age as a female in a male dominated business."
  • "Self-employed and recognized as one of the nation‚Äôs best design firms."
  • "Negotiating a key clause in the Kyoto Protocol of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change."
  • "Establishing a very successful firm that continues to grow and evolve, bringing along creative curious partners and staff that allow the firm to extend itself beyond my active role."
  • "Seeing the buildings that I designed actually built."
  • "Contributing to the life of a number of communities through the design and construction of public schools, civic parks, monuments, etc."
  • "Fellowship in the AIA."
  • "Being asked to be on the board of a ‚ÄòDisabled Persons‚Äô foundation focusing on improving access for the disabled."
  • "Seeing blighted communities become redeveloped and jobs created."
  • "Selling one of my paintings for the first time."
  • "Managing spatial development for Saudi Arabia as Deputy Minister for Town Planning."
  • "Establishing US$400 million equity real estate fund."

What other significant professional accomplishments have you had since attending GSD?

  • "A number of design awards at national, state, and local levels."
  • "Winning several international design competitions."
  • "Designer of several US embassies and 100+ other large, complex buildings."
  • "Establishing College of Architecture & Planning, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia."
  • "Chairing the local Board of Architectural Review for 12 years."
  • "Chaired three national committees of AIA."
  • "Presidency of the Boston Society of Architects."
  • "Implementing the Presidential Design Awards Program"

Have you been publicly recognized for any of the accomplishments you’ve mentioned, such as awards or publications? If so, please list notable awards and/or publications.

  • "ASLA Awards."
  • "Various AIA and ASLA awards."
  • "National AIA Honor Award, Boston Society of Architects Award, etc."
  • "Boston Society of Architects Award for Excellence in Design."
  • "New York Times articles/features."
  • "Published in Architecture Magazine, Architectural Record, Architectural Review."
  • "Citation by President Eisenhower."
  • "Citations for various projects of service by the Mayor and City Council."

Are there any other comments you would like to make regarding the impact your GSD education has had on your career?

  • "It completely changed my life"
  • "Harvard's reputation has been beneficial in opening doors to opportunities."
  • "My GSD diploma opened doors that would otherwise have been closed to me."
  • "GSD credentials have served to open some professional doors which may not have been available otherwise."
  • "My GSD degree is highly respected by colleagues and prospective employers."
  • "The GSD degree lends status and prestige to one's resume, in addition to providing essential grounding in the profession."