On June 25, Virginia Tech’s Washington Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC) hosted its Architecture Career Reflection Spotlight Panel immediately before the AIA Northern Virginia Design Awards Gala. Both events took place in Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus Building One and provided a valuable opportunity for students to connect with architecture and design professionals from across the region.
Beginning in January, AIA Northern Virginia board members, WAAC Director Susan Piedmont-Palladino, and the two of us met monthly to determine what type of event would have the greatest impact on students. Together, we identified a panel focused on the transition from architecture school to professional practice as the most meaningful format. We coordinated the discussion with the goal of ensuring that both students and panelists left with valuable insights.
Early planning included ideas such as architecture licensing exam preparation, portfolio and résumé reviews, and mock interviews. Ultimately, we decided a more personal, experience-based discussion would be the most impactful. We wanted to create a space where honest conversations about architecture careers could take place. Our goal was to hear how each panelist transitioned from school into practice, how their careers evolved over time, and what challenges and opportunities shaped their professional journeys.
To demonstrate that there is no single path in architecture, we invited professionals from a range of backgrounds spanning architecture, urban design, and city planning. Our panel also represented a variety of workplace settings, from the public sector and small firms to large international practices. Before the discussion began, we shared a slideshow featuring each panelist’s biography and a fun fact, allowing attendees to get to know the speakers and helping students identify who they wanted to connect with during the Q&A.
Our panelists included:
- Alyssa Tope, AIA — Associate, Urban Designer/Architect at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects
- Tom Canfield, AIA — City Architect, City of Alexandria, Virginia
- Tim Clites, AIA — Founder, Clites Architects, PC
- Stephanie Leedom, AIA — Executive Director, CannonDesign, Great Lakes Region
- Rebecca Pantschyschak, AIA — Associate Principal, ZGF
Our biggest takeaway from the evening was that a career in architecture is rarely linear. The panelists openly discussed both professional and personal experiences that delayed goals, redirected career paths, and ultimately shaped where they are today. Another theme that resonated with both us and the audience was the importance of timing early in one’s career. Several panelists emphasized that the first five to ten years are best spent seeking mentorship, gaining diverse project experience, and remaining open to opportunities rather than searching for the “perfect” firm. Others reflected on the gap between architectural education and professional practice, noting that many aspects of working with clients, developers, and public agencies are learned through experience rather than in the classroom.
The energy of the room was positive and engaged. Many students registered in advance, resulting in a full audience, and stayed well beyond the scheduled end time to continue conversations and ask one-on-one questions. Our panelists were generous with their time and eager to continue sharing their insights.
As you can tell from this brief video we created with fellow WAAC students, the next generation of designers is ready to hit the ground running! As such, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Alyssa, Tom, Tim, Stephanie, and Rebecca for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing their honest experiences and perspectives.
We hope student-led panels like this continue to provide WAAC students with opportunities to collaborate with AIA Northern Virginia, build meaningful professional connections, and hear firsthand about the many paths a career in architecture can take.
– Fatemeh Mashhadi Mohammadzadeh Vazifeh,WAAC Class of ’27
& E. Augusto Uriona, WAAC Class of ’27
Published: 07/16/2026
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