Alumni Spotlight
AED graduates are prepared to join the building and construction industries or pursue graduate studies in architecture, structural engineering, and construction management. Recent program alumni have worked as architectural designers, construction managers, and structural engineers.
Check out what alumni have done with their Architectural Engineering and Design background:
Jessica Lee (Civil Engineering, AED Program '22)
Jessica Lee is a 2022 Northwestern University graduate, with a major in Civil Engineering and a minor in Architectural Engineering and Design. During her time at Northwestern, Jessica developed an interest in the design of buildings, specifically their impacts on communities and the planet. The coursework of the AED minor allowed her to explore innovative building designs, gain industry vocabulary and technical skills, and excel as a team member.
After graduation, Jessica has become a building performance consultant at IMEG Corp. Through energy and carbon consulting, she supports the design of buildings aiming for energy-efficient and sustainable goals. The knowledge she gained at Northwestern has made the transition to industry smooth and technical conversations easier. Best of all, the position has allowed her to make a positive impact on the built environment.
Jessica believes her experience within the AED program and organizations like ASCE and Solar Decathlon brought her to the right opportunities and people. Because of these fulfilling experiences, she joined the Illinois Green Auxiliary Board, where she grows her network with fellow professionals interested in sustainable buildings.
Liz Trumbull (Civil Engineering, AED Program '14)
A straight line may be the shortest distance between two points, but careers rarely follow linear and direct paths. In fact, many of the most interesting careers follow unexpected, unpredictable, and meandering paths. Although still at an exceedingly early point, Liz Trumbull’s career is a good example of this. Liz graduated from Northwestern in 2014 with a bachelor of science in Civil Engineering and a focus on structural engineering. She also participated in the Architectural Engineering and Design (AED) certificate program, which taught her the language and process of architects and helped to improve her ability to relate and communicate on structural engineering projects. After graduating, Liz worked for two years as a structural engineer for Perry & Associates in Chicago, focusing on structural design. Most of her projects were for existing buildings, meaning each project typically required field work to assess existing conditions, and required construction administration to ascertain that the structure was built soundly.
These projects galvanized Liz’s interest in aging and historic buildings. At the same time, she was volunteering as an interpreter at Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House in Hyde Park. Both experiences inspired her to pursue a career in historic structures and enroll in the Master's in Historic Preservation program from the University of Pennsylvania. The program is multidisciplinary in a way that has allowed her to further her understanding of how historic buildings work, while participating in dialogue about cultural significance, preservation planning, and management of historic sites. She has applied those skills to projects throughout Philadelphia, most notably during an internship this summer at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Maya Stuhlbarg (Civil Engineering, AED Program '13)
Maya Stuhlbarg’s (BSCE 2013) promise as a structural engineer was evident early in her undergraduate career and then officially acknowledged when she received the Edwin Rossow Prize for structural engineering upon graduation. Since leaving Northwestern, this promise has been realized and she now finds herself leading design teams for Thornton Tomasetti, a leading worldwide structural engineering firm. Her expertise encompasses low- to mid-rise concrete and steel buildings and spans a variety of sectors, including residential, commercial, and institutional. Maya actively collaborates with clients, architects, and conducts regular site visits to ensure the success of each project.
At Northwestern, Maya completed the Architectural Engineering and Design Certificate Program (AE&D). While Maya went on to pursue a career in structural engineering, the AED program provided valuable lessons in the architectural mindset that have helped Maya to collaborate more effectively with architects with an understanding of the intentions and design choices characteristic to architecture.