From finding herself while studying abroad, to the open-minded view that shaped her career – University of Reading alumna, Lily Sobri, shares her journey from student to design strategist.
For 2020 architecture graduate Lily, going to university was more than just a chance to lay the foundations of her career. Now with a role as a Design Strategist for GDP Architects – Lily shared how studying abroad at the University of Reading provided the opportunity to move away from her comfort zone, gain independence and expand her understanding of how many doors one degree could open.
Versatility in degrees
With the construction industry at a standstill and limited job opportunities, graduating in the middle of the pandemic was a daunting time for Lily. However, that didn’t stop her from thinking outside of the box in terms of what she could do with her degree. Lily explained: “It was a difficult time to be looking for jobs but I remembered my lecturers reminding us how versatile a degree can be. So with that knowledge, I applied for an internship at an American furniture design company, Steelcase, which developed into a permanent role.
“My role was a Space Designer which is similar to an interior designer but we would work with large companies such as Google.These companies would come to us with an empty space and we would create something for it that was functional for their employees.”
From there, Lily moved on to Haworth, an office design firm, where she worked as a Design Consultant. “It was a similar role but this time I also prepared contracts and did a lot of mathematical work,” she explained.
Keen to return to a more creative working environment, Lily took on the role as Design Strategist at GDP Architects, where she has worked for almost two years. “We mostly work with architects and contractors and support them with upcoming projects and help create ideas for them,” she explained.
“I really love how versatile the role is. As a Design Strategist I can work on branding development, market research, product design and design consulting.
“It requires the ability to adapt to the different nature of each project we take on and I really owe my adaptability to my architecture degree, which was very diverse in the modules and assignments we did.”
One of the biggest lessons Lily learned during her time at Reading was that an architecture degree doesn’t have to lead to a traditional architect role. She said:
“The architecture field is very versatile and isn’t as specific as you might think – you can apply a lot of what you learn to other parts of the field and within other design careers.
“I owe that type of thinking to the lecturers at the University of Reading who were very clear that you don’t have to be an architect. That really helped me to keep an open mind when starting my career within the industry.”
Watch the video below to hear Lily talk about her role as a Design Strategist:
Home away from home
For Lily, choosing the University of Reading was a carefully considered decision. She explained: “Malaysia has strict regulations about where architecture can be studied and I found that UK universities were high in accredited institutions.”
But there was more to her decision than just accreditation. “When researching universities, I saw that Reading’s approach to architecture was different. They broke the mould of what an architecture school should be – they weren’t rigid, and they encouraged students to think outside of the box.
“When I arrived in Reading I found that the lecturers were always encouraging us to be ourselves. Reminding us that we didn’t need to dress like an architect or talk like an architect to be one.”
Watch the video below to hear why Lily chose to study at Reading:
As well as feeling comfort in knowing that the UK was closer in proximity to Malaysia than other options, such as the US, Lily felt comfort in knowing there was a strong Malaysian community to welcome her. She said: “I joined the Malaysian Society in my first year and attended a meet-up before leaving for the UK. We met-up in Malaysia and were given a presentation about the University of Reading and tips on how to adapt to life in the UK. By the time I moved to Reading, I was confident knowing that I’d see some familiar faces.
“The society helped me a lot with homesickness. I made lifelong friends and it became a home away from home.”
The choice to study overseas provided Lily with more than just an academic education. She said: “I learned about independence, how to adapt in a different country and how to step out of my comfort zone.
“There’s a certain level of comfort when living in your own country, but being in a different environment taught me so much about myself.”
This international experience also gave her an edge in the job market. “A lot of employers notice that I studied abroad, and it impresses them. It shows them that I’m independent and confident. They’re also more comfortable sending me on international projects because they know I’m comfortable with travel,” Lily explained.
Watch the video below to hear Lily explain why she loved being part of a society:
Advice for others
And to those considering studying abroad at Reading, Lily says:
“Look at studying in another country as an opportunity to be independent and to learn more about yourself and the world.
“Studying abroad can give you access to good quality of education, and also allows you to learn life skills, whilst making friends with people of various cultures and backgrounds.”
Find out more about studying at the University of Reading as an international student
