WIL Student Success Spotlight

Rida Naseer
Architectural Technology, Work Placement
SVEDAS Architects Inc.

What did you do during your placement?

During my placement at SVEDAS Architects Inc. in Summer 2023, my main tasks were to help work on drawings for educational institutions that the company was designing and preparing for submission. I helped modify site and floor plans, make changes based on feedback from the School Boards, create door/window/ room schedules, do flooring tile plans as well as reflected ceiling plans, and interior elevations. In addition to that, I also prepared documents such as site plan application comments, Geotech and soil reports, building permits, and deficiency lists.

What were some of the most valuable things you learned during your WIL experience?

Some important things I learned during my experience would be collaboration skills. In a workplace you need to work alongside multiple different people and you will need to be able to communicate properly so the work gets done efficiently. I also learned how to stay organized - this is a must when working on various projects at the same time.

What advice would you give to students participating in co-op or work placement?

Co-op is a great way to break into the industry and learn by doing. I highly recommend trying to do work placement as that will better your chances of getting a job down the line and you will learn a lot of new information. Additionally, building connections is something that will help you out through your entire career, so try to network and meet people in your field as well as related fields. Lastly, be confident in your skills and abilities, and be willing to ask questions and expand your knowledge on topics you don’t know much on.

What advice would you give to students pursuing a career in technology?

Technology is a great field, but there is a lot of competition. My advice is to continuously seek knowledge, even outside of school. Something I would emphasize is getting certifications that will help you stand out from the mix and lots of companies will look for that on your resume. It is also important to get some experience in your field. Any experience is an asset.