Taylor Rhodes

From the late nights in studio to early morning lectures, this community has made an extremely large university feel like home.

Hometown
Richfield, WI, United States

Degree Program(s)
B.S. Architecture

Expected Graduation Date
2024

Academic Areas of Interest
Architecture

Hobbies or interests outside of academia
Running, SoulCycle, and Reading

Why did you choose Taubman College as the right program for you?
Due to the pandemic, I never had the opportunity to visit Ann Arbor prior to my acceptance into Taubman College. Instead, I simply had to base my decision on the University’s reputation, the advice of family and friends, and a thorough navigation of the Taubman College website. Now, as I enter my 6th semester in the program, I can confidently say this is where I was meant to be. Taubman offers state-of-the-art facilities, passionate staff, and a diverse student body.

What is special or excites you about the Taubman community?
I will never forget logging onto Zoom for Melissa Harris’s 201 drawing class during my freshman year and seeing my cohorts fill in across my screen. At the time, it seemed crazy that these were real people, my new classmates. Once class resumed in person, our friendship only grew. We all came from different backgrounds but collectively shared a love for design. From the late nights in studio to early morning lectures, this community has made an extremely large university feel like home.

If applicable, tell us about studio culture – what is inspiring or innovative or unique?
My friends who aren’t in architecture are always curious about what studio looks like, especially with how much time I spend there. They are always in awe when I bring them to Taubman. From the many (many) models scattered around, trace paper sketches, floor plans, diagrams, and renderings, there is just something really captivating about the work produced by students that are on display. And while the final product is cool to see, it’s the countless hours prior that are coveted and make studio unique. Only your classmates truly understand the time and effort each project takes and that bond is special as well as motivating.

Describe your experience with faculty and professional staff during your time at Taubman?
In today’s world, it’s hard to find professors who genuinely want every student to succeed and are willing to give the time and effort to make that happen. At Taubman, that is the expectation. I have grown so much over the past 3 years as a designer, a writer, a thinker, and as a person because of their commitment towards sharing their love of architecture with me. I feel respected, I feel challenged, and I know that they are setting me up to be the best in this profession.

How has Taubman’s career and professional development support prepared you for a successful career in your chosen field?
I attended my first career fair last November. Taubman’s career and professional development team brought in a wide range of firms ranging in size, and location, as well as residential vs. commercial-based projects. They had various workshops and information sessions prior to the fair that allowed me to prep my resume, portfolio and learn how to network effectively. I ended up securing a summer internship with a firm in Michigan and have begun working for them part-time this semester.

What benefits have you experienced being part of the University of Michigan?
Being a student at the University of Michigan is a rewarding experience due to the electric school spirit, the countless clubs and organizations to get involved in, the diversity of students and staff, and the immediate access to Michigan’s large alumni network that is located around the world. From game days in the Big House to walks in the Arb, Michigan offers so much more than just a prestigious education.

What do you like most about being part of the Ann Arbor community?
Ann Arbor has become my second home. There is such a range of restaurants, coffee shops, and local businesses to experience. There is something here for everyone and that’s what makes Ann Arbor an appealing college town. I am looking forward to spending my summer in AA and exploring this city even further.

What advice would you give prospective students as they consider Taubman College?
Take a deep breath. It is okay to feel overwhelmed. The transition from high school to college is a big one, and a lot is thrown at you at once. Dealing with all of that, in addition to a pandemic, challenged me and required a tremendous amount of personal growth in a short period of time. It was hard for me to handle the highs and lows of college as I adjusted to the demands of classes, finding time to stay active, hang out with friends, and somehow get 8 hours of sleep. You won’t get it down in the first semester. Or even the second. But with each semester comes growth and a new understanding of what works best for you. As a junior, I finally feel I have a grasp on the schedule I need to stick to, to maintain a healthy balance between all of these things (although still working on the sleeping part).

What are your plans after graduation?
Wow, time really does fly by. It is scary to think in one year I will (hopefully) have a definite answer to this question. For now, I like to think I will be working at a large firm in Boston or New York City to get some experience in the field before going back to school to get my Master’s in Architecture. Ultimately, I would like to become a licensed architect.

Additional advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective students?
Have fun! College is only four years of your life. Prioritize school, and work hard, but take the time to try new things, travel, attend a game in the Big House, meet new people, and simply learn how to live on your own. I am really grateful to be a student here at Michigan and part of the Taubman College community. Go Blue!