Meet JJ, Our High School Co-Op Student

This fall, we’re excited to welcome Junaid Jamal (JJ), a junior in high school, to JJCA as part of his school’s Work-Based Learning (WBL) program. JJ joins us on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, balancing his internship with a full course load of AP classes and Architecture III at school.

JJ’s journey toward architecture began early. “It all started when I was in eighth grade and I took a 3D printing course at a local 4-H organization,” he explained. “I learned how to use SketchUp, and I really enjoyed 3D modeling. I got a 3D printer, and started creating models. That’s when I decided that I wanted architecture and design to be my job.”

Since then, JJ is in his third year of his architecture class at school. Last semester, while working on a project with the ACE Mentorship Program, he connected with JJCA mentors Stephanie Pielich and Caroline Abel. When his high school architecture teacher suggested that he apply to Work-Based Learning, JJ reached out to several firms, and we’re glad he landed here.

Through the WBL program, JJ earns class credit while gaining real-world experience, but what excites him most is the chance to design with purpose. “Just being able to design buildings for specific situations is really exciting for me,” he said. “If someone gives me guidelines, like a hospital that needs to meet certain constraints, I want to make it happen.”

When he’s not studying or interning, he is busy with a variety of extracurricular activities from playing the flute professionally to caring for and riding horses. However, he loves to spend time with his favorite hobby: 3D modeling. He shared. “I keep making lots of functional things around the house for my parents, but my favorite is a planter that I made with the JJCA logo on it.”

Reflecting on this internship, he says, “This JJCA job opportunity gives me a really good feel of what it’s like to be an architect, and I am grateful to get this amazing workplace experience during such an important phase of my life.”

We couldn’t agree more. With his curiosity, focus, and creativity, JJ is already showing the mindset of a future architect, and we’re very proud to be part of his journey.