Elijah Montague joined us this summer as part of the Richardson Mayor’s Summer Internship Program. Elijah attends Richardson High School and will graduate in June 2019. He is currently interested in both Texas Tech and Texas A&M.
Elijah had an interest in architecture when he applied for the program and has demonstrated a strong desire to learn every aspect of the architecture profession. Elijah has been a true asset to Alliance Architects this summer.
Elijah, what have you learned from working with the architects and project managers at Alliance Architects?
“Working with Gloria Boyd, I’ve learned the importance of stopping, listening, and absorbing. It’s not always the best idea to speak out or voice your thoughts, sometimes it is better to stop talking and listen to what others are saying, not just hear. Aaron Trecartin taught me the importance of coming prepared. Whether it’s a job site meeting or visit, a meeting with a client, or simply going to speak to another employee, you want to always be prepared for things that you might discuss or do.”
You were exposed to interior design. What did you take away from your time spent?
“From speaking with April Williams and watching the way that she carries herself, I’ve realized the importance of recording anything and everything. In meetings, it’s good to record what’s said and who said it. Record phone calls and times, save important emails. Having a good record is important for multiple situations.”
You were able to go along on various job site visits. What was the one thing that you learned that will translate later in your career and life?
“Going out into the field with Keith Petersen has shown me the importance of being flexible and adaptable. Things change, people don’t always do what they say that they will. Learning to roll with the punches and respond accordingly is crucial in these situations. People and things can be faulty, be patient and calm when something happens. It’s important to watch what you say, your word choice, phrasing, and the ability to back things up is important when you speak to people; they’ll quote you or expect you to fulfill your promises, and you want to be able to do that.”
You got a chance to work with the marketing team. What did you take away from that experience?
“Marketing is important because it’s how you represent yourself as a company or corporation, you always want to put your best foot forward. Aside from employees outside of the office, it’s the biggest way that other people experience the company.”
What does our tagline “Creativity Done Right” mean to you?
“At Alliance, the goal is to create a design that meets all requirements listed. To design a structure that fits the vision of the client, while remaining feasible and creative.”
Since this was your first job in a business environment, you worked with a multitude of people and personalities. What was your experience and what did you take away from it?
“I’ve learned that some people behave and take things differently from others. It’s helped me to learn how to work more cohesively with other people that I’ll work with in the future. Since beginning my internship, I have a much better knowledge of how to work with various personalities within the office.”
What was the company culture at Alliance Architects like?
“The scene at Alliance Architects is a relaxed group of close-knit employees. Everyone knows each other fairly well and works well with each other. It’s reminiscent of a family in the way that they work together, in and out of the office.”
Your dad is an architect and one of the reasons you were interested in the internship. After working for an architect firm, do you see him any different personally or professionally?
“My dad’s an architect, and growing up, I’ve been able to see some of the ups and downs that he’s experienced professionally. Now that I’ve been able to spend a little bit of time working at Alliance Architects, I understand where he’s coming from a little bit more.”
Discuss your overall learning experience at Alliance and being part of the Mayor’s Internship Program.
“Being part of the Mayor’s Summer Internship Program has been a huge privilege. I’ve learned so many invaluable lessons that I wouldn’t have been able to learn otherwise. Everyone around me has been welcoming and helped me with whatever they’ve been able to.”
How will you take what you learned at Alliance Architects and apply it to future?
“Before, I began my internship, I had a fairly general idea of what I wanted to make of myself. Now that I’ve been able to spend some time in an architecture firm and had the opportunity to talk with various architects within Alliance Architects, I know more about the direction I want my life to go in and have a definite, concrete goal.”
One final question, would you want to work for Alliance Architects when you graduate college?
“After college, as long as I’m qualified and live in the area, I’d love the chance to work at Alliance. I think that the combination of the environment, people, and ideas found at Alliance Architects is something that wouldn’t be too easy to find at another firm.”
