NATALIE PHOON

My career plans

I decided to major in Architecture and Sustainable Design (ASD) because I wanted to save the environment via designing the built environment. ASD not only equipped me with architectural knowledge, but also the skill sets and mentality to explore unknown solutions for today’s problems.

After completing my Bachelor of Science, I decided to continue pushing the boundaries of green design by exploring how landscaping could be further integrated with buildings. After a brief stint at a landscape contractor firm and a research lab in innovative structures, I am now back in school with a better sense of the industry, as well as a thesis topic for my Master in Architecture programme.

My job

As a quantity surveyor in the landscape contractor firm, my role involved cost estimation and project claims. I would compute price quotations of greenery and water features in projects that were up for bidding, and prepare project claims to the main contractor for projects we have completed. In contrast, my second position was less structured and included diverse tasks, with the research team working towards commercialising the novel structure. It ranged from sourcing for clients, to facilitating meetings with various stakeholders, and preparing marketing materials.

How I got my job

I obtained the first job after a series of online applications for various positions in the landscaping sector. The interview at this small landscape contractor firm was brisk, where the director asked about my interest in the firm and my qualifications. While he acknowledged my undergraduate degree in architecture, he also noted my diploma degree in environmental engineering. As my priority was to be in the landscape sector, I accepted the position of Quantity Surveyor. As I was preparing for my next job application to a landscape architect firm, I contacted my ASD Professor to get feedback on my portfolio. I previously worked on innovative structures under him as an undergraduate and he was looking for someone to help commercialise the structure. Since this structure could be applied in landscaping, I agreed to the position as a Research Assistant in his research lab.

Highs and lows

What kept me motivated in my work was the landscaping knowledge and industrial insights gained along the way. Site meetings and variation orders showed me how technicalities of softscape installation and not just aesthetics should influence plant selection. Understanding the needs of potential clients and partners was also critical in refining the novel structure for successful take-off in the market. All of this bridged the academic theories I learnt from school into real world application.

Some advice

I decided to work for a few years after graduation instead of taking my Masters immediately because to me, it felt like the right thing to do. Doing so instead of following the crowd can seem intimidating at first, but once you set your goals, plan ahead and take action, you will feel invincible. You become more confident and happier because you know you can do it.

Keep observing how the world runs, ask yourself what you want to do, and acquire the necessary knowledge to get there. The end result is a career path, skill set and impact unique to you.