SPECIAL REPORTS LAST UPDATED : 01 MAY 2016
Maria Paula Jurado studied and worked in Colombia, but chose Birmingham to pursue her MA in Interior Design. Since then, she has stayed in the region as a full-time Architectural Assistant.
After gaining her BA in Architecture at Pontificia Universidad Javernia in Bogota, Colombia, Maria worked on a number of projects in her chosen field, before moving to the Midlands to do her MA.
“The course is a platform for people who want to challenge themselves, while honing their creative and design skills,” said Maria. “The course structure is meant to prepare students to address different scale projects, producing high-quality work.”
Since graduating, Maria has stayed in Birmingham and secured full-time work. “I developed my online portfolio and CV, and, through connections I had made at the University, led to a meeting with Glenn Howells Architects (GHA), who offered me a job.” In her role at GHA, she is currently working on the conversion of St George’s House, a listed building in Cheltenham, into an assisted living development.
Maria aims to continue in her current position, and allow her passion for architecture to grow. “My aim is to deliver both strategic and creative solutions that enrich the value of companies,” she said.
The MA course enhanced Maria’s skills and portfolio, helping her secure her current position. “The course helped me showcase different projects and designs in all areas of my portfolio,” she said. “Without a doubt, by completing this course, I have enhanced my portfolio and certainly my employment potential.”