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My name is Alison Downton and I'm a first year graduate student in the
masters of architecture program at the NewSchool of Architecture and Design
I did my undergraduate at Boston University and studied philosophy. Once I graduated I
felt that it was a logical thing to become an
officer in the marine corps. It was actually the marine corps that got me into
architecture. One of my jobs when I was there was to assist in the design and
construction of a sensitive compartmentalized information facility
which is a scif. Seeing it from the design process all the
way to occupancy was a fascinating experience. Philosophy and architecture
are very similar in that
they both solve problems. Philosophy you solve problems using words,
in architecture you solve problems utilizing the built environment.
One of the things that's unique about newschool is the number of women
that are in enroled in the programs. In my class here we have over fifty percent
women. I really feel that it's an important and
exciting time to be a woman going into the architecture field.
I won a career development grant through the american association of
university women through this grant I have received a lot of encouragement to
continue pushing myself and really make changes in the field.
The grant itself has been very helpful in paying for supplies.
Supplies especially your first year not cheap so being able to
purchase everything has been agree asset. I have never been challenged
intellectually like this before ever in my life. It's very rewarding
and very fun to be a part of.