It’s been awhile since these WHSAD alumni have been at WHSAD, but many have lots of positive things to say about their experiences in high school and how WHSAD helped them in college.

Vincente Gomez-Class of 2018
What does a typical week/day look like for you?
“I am a senior at Pace University, studying computer science with a minor in criminal justice and cyber security.
When the semester is going on typically from September to December or from the end of January to May, aside from classes, I have a student assistant job, but we are in a mid-winter recess so I’m off. What a student assistant job entails is we have an email system set up where the students send centralized emails asking for appointments with their advisor so I have to respond to them. In-person, which is a bit more difficult, we have organizations that are run on campus so they all have to go through the front desk, and we set up spaces for them.
Every summer we run a high school camp for computer science which became a bit of a learning curve since we had to go remote this year because of the pandemic. Especially these days, it’s just answering emails, trying to get some air, and surviving.”
What advice would you give those who want to be involved in the Architecture/Art field?

“It was difficult going from architecture with Mr. Codio or Ms. Diaz into tech. I feel like a lot of students like me might be in the situation where they’re going from Architecture to any other major that they desire, but the thing that’s really important is having a balance. When you’re going from high school to college, it’s a big transition. You’re going from a 9am to 2-3pm schedule where go from period to period, but when you get to college you have a sort of freedom where all you take is one class in the morning and then there’s this big gap.
One thing that I would recommend no matter what major you have is having a balance between your classes and your social life. College is all about classes, but I think the most important thing you get out of it is a social life-like rolling with a certain group of friends or becoming a better person. Another important factor is time management, which ties into balance. You want to have the time to complete the super important work because you’re paying for all the credits for each class versus being at a public school like WHSAD.”
Melina Jorge–Class of 2019
What’s your profession or major?
“My major is Media with a concentration in Journalism and Studio Art.”
In what ways do you think WHSAD in general aided you in the path to your career?
“WHSAD aided in the path to my career by providing me with so many different ways in which to express myself through art whether it be through software like AutoCAD or physically like drawing or painting.”
How did your experience at WHSAD help you find your first position after graduation?

“WHSAD and their many connections to different institutions helped me find my first position after graduation by allowing me to find what interests me no matter the route I went. I stayed in the art field by working many internships at Park Avenue Armory which have allowed me to grow as an artist and become more confident in the work I put out.”
Do you mind sharing a few projects that you’ve done at your job or in college?

“These are a few projects I’ve done in college.”
What advice would you give those who want to be involved in the Architecture/Art field?
“For those who want to be involved in Art/Architecture field, understand that there are so many forms of Architecture and Artwork, so explore them all! Whether it be out on the field or at an office, your works matters.”
Jalen Vasquez, Class of 2017
What’s your profession or major?
“My major and/or profession is Architecture. I am in the Architectural field of study.”
In what ways do you think WHSAD in general aided you in the path to your career?
“I feel WHSAD introduced me to a more technical side to art which I had already been interested in, while also incorporating design was the perfect combination of expertise that I wanted to be part of.”
How did your experience at WHSAD help you find your first position after graduation?
“Well I haven’t graduated yet, but I will in 1 year because I am in a 5 year accelerated Master’s program for architecture. And the connections I’ve made with my teachers and faculty in high school created a family that sort of looks out for me and any opportunities that may arise in the city I was born in, which is always a great thing.”
What advice would you give those who want to be involved in the Architecture/Art field?
“A piece of advice I’d give to a student pursuing either the art or architectural field is to have patience and be determined with every step you make.”
Do you mind sharing a few projects that you’ve done at your job or in college?
Modular Dwellings:




Christie Doresant-Class of 2018
What’s your profession or major?
“I am currently a junior at Howard University. I also own my own skincare brand, Nova Lab Skincare.”
In what ways do you think WHSAD in general aided you in the path to your career?
“During my time at WHSAD, I was able to be exposed to different design fields as well as different skills. When I first got to Howard, I realized many of the skills I learn at WHSAD gave me an advantage as an architecture major.”
How did your experience at WHSAD help you find your first position after graduation?
“I was fortunate that during my time at WHASD I was able to acquire several internships. These internships helped expose me to a different field in and out of architecture. It helped me with interviews with firms in college.”

Do you mind sharing a few projects that you’ve done at your job or in college?
“I designed a coffee table for the living space in the studio Pitch Black by architect David Adjaye.”
What advice would you give those who want to be involved in the Art/Architecture field?
“My advice for anyone that wants to become involved in the Art/Architecture field is to continue to sharpen your skills and be open to learning new things. It is important to be confident in any field you choose to pursue as well as being confident in your skill.”
