Meet TLCD’s summer intern Y Pham (pronounced “E”), a student in Cornell University’s Design and Environmental Analysis (D+EA) program. Y attended Santa Rosa Junior College as an international student before transferring to Cornell in 2016. Y is on a full ride scholarship majoring in Health & Well Being with a minor in Gerontology.
With an interest in Biology, Y thought she was on a track to study medicine. While studying at SRJC, she explored her creative side and took drawing, 3D design and other courses that broadened her thinking. She was drawn to the program at Cornell because it combines innovative design thinking with insightful design research to understand how our daily lives are impacted by the built environment.
When she graduates, Y would like to work as an Interior Designer focusing on environments that help people age with dignity. To quote Cornell’s website, D+EA students are “part designer, psychologist, researcher and business strategist”. Her minor in Gerontology provides coursework in the issues connected to aging populations as well as research opportunities. She has also been studying Evidence-based Design and will graduate with an EDAC certification.
Y sought an internship at a small firm and TLCD’s Healthcare studio offered that perfect blend of relevant work experience and the chance to return to Santa Rosa for the summer. She is working with our Healthcare team on a Behavioral Health project in Petaluma and has jumped right in to help research living plant wall options, the use of carpeting as a wayfinding tool and selecting materials and finishes.
She’s having fun along the way, checking our local wineries, going to a Giant’s Game and seeing Kevin Hart live at the Concord Pavilion. On her first day, we even had Y standing in as a student model for the photography at one of our projects at Sonoma State. We hope you gain some great knowledge this summer to take with you in the future!
