Part 1: Employability Skills
My current skillset has been formed through three main avenues; my education, my occupation, and my life experiences.
Currently I am employed as a Pharmacy Assistant at Blooms The Chemist in Tweed Heads, NSW. I was hired in late 2014 and have worked there consistently to the present time. As this role was my first formally employed position it has been incredibly formative on my current skill set and approach to work. The role is often a high stress, time sensitive position with the added complexity of managing large numbers of people, some whom are challenging, which requires the development of a resilient attitude and the ability to juggle multiple problems simultaneously.
This role has fostered a strong understanding of teamwork, the need for effective team communication – with an awareness of what others are doing – , appropriate handling of sensitive information, and ensuring that the experience of the customer is as positive as possible. As a result of all this hard work the pharmacy team, including myself, have put into the instore experience, we were awarded a customer service accolade for the year of 2019.
My University studies, which began in 2013, have required the development of strong communication skills – both oral and visual – which can be viewed throughout this website and organisational skills to self-manage my progress through the various courses of my Degree. Perhaps most important is the (ongoing) development of my time management skills which were further built upon by a short course I undertook through the University of Newcastle in 2019. I would highlight this as one area where there is need for continued development and improvement. I have also volunteered at events such as the Gold Coast Open House showcase as a guest coordinator and tour guide.
Having been born into a military family I have experienced many upheavals and changes through my younger life. This constant need to adjust and refamiliarise myself with new surroundings has instilled in me a willingness to adapt to changing situations more broadly.
Part 2: Reflection on my University Work
This project was a part of a summer semester course which I initially undertook to broaden my CAD skills, however the final design assessment was based around the Tiny Homes competition in Chicago. This design challenge was my first exposure to the idea of designing for the less fortunate and vulnerable members of a community. Building Blocks was to be an installation for youth homelessness and rehabilitation which involved unique design challenges such as; “how does one design a place to feel comfortable but also strong, resistant to damage, and have low maintenance costs?”
Aside from the design challenge, the course was my first exposure to programs such as 3dsMAX and Illustrator, and enhanced my understanding of programs such as Photoshop, SketchUp, and InDesign.
The Hive project was the final assessment item for an innovation in design research course. The purpose of the final project was the development of a new construction process for vertical extensions of existing buildings. The project required large amounts of research into material sciences and emerging technologies before even the start of the design development process. This project allowed me to acquire new knowledge and understanding of these fields which have given me the opportunity to explore new avenues of design and construction.
This project was the main design undertaking from Studio 2. I was assigned to a tutor named Andy Weir with whom I developed a strong rapport which enabled excellent communication between us throughout the design process. This allowed for a very energetic design iteration process which ultimately produced a product that I was – and still am – quite proud of. Andy was also instrumental in pushing me to diversify my program knowledge and work flow process. As an example, this was the first project in which I extensively used Adobe Illustrator and Autocad in the design and presentation process. He also encouraged individual site visits, directing me to specific buildings in and around Brisbane which I was able to use as precedent case studies to further enhance my project outcome.
Part 3: Career Plan
There are four main approaches in the search for employment post-graduation. The first, and perhaps must important, is Direct Representation where I will attempt to approach firms and/or individuals in person. This would involve handing over a physical copy of my portfolio and CV and providing a concise verbal introduction to who I am.
The second approach involves the development of a digital presence, such as on social media and platforms such as LinkedIn, as well as the development of a comprehensive personal website to showcase a portfolio of work. This approach will allow for a more expansive search – potentially nationwide – for a role post university degree.
The third approach includes investigating possible opportunities for post graduate program employment or experience in a public servant position at a state or federal level government organisation position.
The fourth approach is the ongoing development and utilisation of the network of people within – and adjacent to – the industry one is seeking to enter into. Continued development of such a network would involve attending industry events and conferences where possible.
Part 4: Portfolio Presentation
Under the ‘University Projects’ tab of this website you will find a curated selection of my past university design projects.
Part 5: Letter of Introduction
Below you will find a letter of introduction I have developed as a template for any future job applications in the architectural field:
Harrison Dowling 