“FROM RECESSION TO LEADERSHIP: MY JOURNEY THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH”
As in the past, we are pleased to share another guest essay from Jessica Pagan Aello, principal with Hanbury. What is special about Jessica is having her career plan (2008) from her course, Careers in Architecture from the University of Maryland which she updates for this essay. While the images below may be difficult to view, you may choose to download the PDF version.
Originally drawn to international firms and urban mixed-use projects, my career trajectory shifted during the recession. Embracing local opportunities, I discovered a newfound passion for higher education and the stakeholder-driven ethos of student life projects. This pivot not only refined my expertise but also opened doors to diverse career paths.
Career Plan circa 2008
J Pagan Career Plan (2008).pdf
The recession also highlighted the financial volatility within the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. Watching friends, colleagues, and their families navigate these uncertain times grounded some of my original aspirations to experience a different city and graduate school curriculum. Instead, I began questioning the value of education and how to achieve my career goals without incurring significant debt. Ultimately, this led me back to the University of Maryland, where I received a generous financial package. In hindsight, this was one of the best decisions I made, as it provided both financial security and valuable local industry connections.
Rutgers Image: Rutgers University Diner, Livingston District, Architecture by Design Collective
Initially leaning towards academia, I reconsidered after observing the challenges faced by mentors striving for tenure. Instead, I found fulfillment in mentoring within office environments and contributing to academic institutions through design juries and teaching elective courses. These experiences underscored the importance of supporting women, particularly young women of color, and inspired my commitment to JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) issues both in my projects and throughout the industry.
Inmar image: Inmar Headquarters, Piedmont Research triangle, Architecture by Design Collective
Recently, I embarked on an exciting journey to establish and lead a new office in Baltimore. This endeavor fuels my ambition to pursue senior leadership roles within the profession. I now juggle various responsibilities, including recruitment, mentorship, onboarding, staffing, financial projections, office budgets, and business development. The greatest challenge thus far has been the search for office space, lease negotiations, fit-out design, and the office move itself. I am grateful for the growing Baltimore team that has guided this process and am excited about our new “home” in Federal Hill.
In addition to my role as Baltimore Office Director, I also serve as one of the Higher Education Market Leaders. In this capacity, I focus on pre-positioning projects, business development, go/no-go processes, design, and client management. I also offer specialized expertise in student life projects and programs, leveraging my prior design and built experience to enhance student experiences and ensure our processes are collaborative and engaging.
While I have not authored a book, I am dedicated to developing thought-leadership articles and white papers on community, student life, and engagement. With four published articles and numerous presentations to my credit, I look forward to expanding my contributions within related organizations in the years ahead. As my children grow, I anticipate increasing my involvement in teaching and volunteering, with teaching potentially becoming a primary focus in retirement.
Reflecting on this journey, although my career path did not follow the original trajectory in terms of typology or academic focus, I have achieved or exceeded my goals in securing licensure, local community impact, design excellence, mentorship, and leadership. In many ways, I successfully merged my initial passions for learning and community to forge a new path—one that energizes and inspires me daily.
Jessica A. Pagan Aello, AIA, NCARB, Principal | Higher Education Market Leader, Hanbury
With a passion for design evident in her celebrated body of work, Jessica Pagan Aello, AIA focuses on empowering her teams, clients, and stakeholders to develop collaborative visions that transform campuses and communities. She believes in the power of architecture to promote greater engagement, support diversity, and build community. After graduating from the University of Maryland, she moved to Baltimore and began her career, leading a range of student life, campus planning, and mixed-use projects. Jessica is still happily calling Baltimore home and is committed to enhancing the city and the surrounding region, creating timeless places that bring people together.