I am a recent BArch graduate from Cal Poly SLO and currently a designer in San Luis Obispo looking for professional design experience in a well known firm in order to strengthen my portfolio and earn IDP credit towards my licensing.  I eventually want to work for non-profit organizations once I'm established, but for now I would love to work on projects that encompass educational buildings, slum developments, and many other social problem solving aspects that can benefit from our architecture.  I am pretty easy to get along with and I am a fast learner and love to develop different techniques in order to increase my understanding of the architecture profession and start to develop my own style. 

I'm looking for a firm that is willing to teach and is okay with me asking questions to try and understand every aspect of its organization.  I would prefer it if the principal would like to have lunch a few times but not required.  I love talking to people and understand what they really want in a project and attempt to build a design that revolves around their ideas and visions while still staying true to the asthetic and principles of the firm.  This requires very inclusive rolls of the client in the design processes.  This is another reason I want to work for non-profits because I have this idea that non-profits have a greater, more elaborate, vision than the "everyday" client. 

I'm willing to try and do anything and very excited to start working in the LA/SF/NYC area as I know there are many opportunities to be had. 

Thank you for your time,

Derek Lee Ramsey