Latifa’s Triad Story: A dream to see a colorful architecture profession all around the world.

Ten-year old me never thought I would be here writing this blog…

Sixteen years ago, I was a kid with a dream to become an architect, but I was not sure where I was going due to the war in Iraq. In 2006 I was still back home in Iraq, where it was the war aftermath, and everyone was leaving the country to live a safer life. In 2007, it was my family’s turn to leave…

After experiencing the trauma of war for six years, we finally left for Syria to stay there until Iraq became settled. I felt like my dream of being an architect was now impossible. I started my middle school in Syria, and worked super hard, in the hope to get into the architecture school there. Then my family decided to leave again and move to the United States of America, where my journey of becoming an architect began.

I started high school in Columbus and graduated in 2013. It was very hard to find my way to college since I was the first from my family to go to college here in America. Everything was very new to me, and I thought, yes, my dream was impossible again. Part of me never gave up. I started at Columbus State Community College and while I was taking classes there, I began researching the architecture school at OSU. Then, when I completed my studies at Columbus State in 2017, I finally started my first architecture classes ever at Knowlton School of Architecture. I could not believe that I finally took my first step into my big dream.  I did not know that finishing my undergrad degree was just the beginning of a much bigger a dream, but this time I called it a goal, because I knew that I would make this one happen no matter what.

My goal had always been to make the world a better place for every human being. A week before my graduation I met Brent and we talked about changing the future of architecture here in Columbus. This gave me inspiration to work on my goal in a place that really cares, like Triad. Brent cleared the way for me to take my first step toward making my goal happen. This is when I knew that Triad is where I want to work and grow.  This amazing team made me come to work every day feeling inspired and ready to make change happen. Not only has Triad supported me with my goal, but they made sure to make it a firm goal! With the big support I get from the leaders at Triad, I was able to start the National Organization of Minority Architects chapter in Columbus (NOMA Columbus). I put my heart and soul into making this chapter a safe space for everyone and not only architects. We got the support from across Columbus, and everyone was super helpful.

Today, my dream exceeds becoming an architect. I want to be someone who can make a change in the field and bring minority perspective to see a colorful architecture profession all around the world. Triad is deeply thinking of making that possible, not only for me but for all of us. With the support I get every single day from each person on the team, I know this is going to happen very soon. I truly get inspired every day to be a better me because I know that Triad is always going to have my back. I move forward with confidence.

What makes me stay with Triad? – Working with this team as a young professional, I know I can learn and grow here, and they will push me to take on new and challenging opportunities. The leaders who encourage me to succeed and make me love coming to work every single day are here at Triad. They always give me the tools to reach my goals, and they help me soar to new heights in my career. The feeling I get, to see that I am slowly reaching my goal that I have been working toward accomplishing, makes me stay at Triad. Here, I am working in an environment where I am encouraged to share my ideas, and I see them truly working toward making them happen. I know Triad is the place I want to stay and a grow my career, and I am super excited to see what is next!

WRITTEN BY LATIFA ALAGAH