After graduating with a BArch from Iowa State University I applied for Optional Practical Training [OPT – 1 year contract] at an excellent architecture firm in Des Moines, Iowa, Neumann Monson Architects and started a few months after graduation. I worked on a few projects but the one I was most involved in was 350 E Locust, where we began the design phase, submitted tender drawings, witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony and visited the site after all the structure was complete all in a span of one year while I was there.