Becoming a Jayhawk: Adam Cory’s Path to Architecture and Paris
Fifth-year architecture student Adam Cory wrapped up his time at the University of Kansas in one of the most exciting ways possible. He was able to live and work in Paris while completing his final year of the Master of Architecture program.
Adam came to KU knowing he wanted to pursue architecture and found a supportive, challenging environment that helped him grow both personally and professionally. Thanks to a semester of study abroad and an international internship under his belt, he got to apply what he learned in Lawrence to real-world projects in Paris.
During his time abroad, Adam was fully immersed in international studio work and gaining hands-on experience through an internship. We spoke with Adam while he was still in Paris, just a few weeks away from graduation. The insights he shared speak to the value of a KU architecture education and the growth that can happen when you step outside your comfort zone — whether that means moving across campus or across the world.
Q: What does your fifth year in the architecture program look like?
A: The fifth year in architecture is really open to whatever you want to do. I chose the Paris program. In the first semester, we study at a school in Paris. During the second semester, we are all placed at firms around the city. I am currently working at a structural engineering firm.
Q: That sounds amazing. What has the experience been like for you?
A: It has been so awesome. I am traveling each weekend for the next five weekends, so I am really loving it.
Q: What were you involved in during your undergrad years at KU?
A: I was really involved in the Student Ambassador Program, which I absolutely loved. I was also very involved in AIAS, the American Institute of Architecture Students. It is the student branch of the national AIA organization.
Outside of school, I am a big runner. I ran a lot and camped out for every basketball game I could. That is such a KU tradition. I also served on the leadership board for the Student Ambassador Program for three of my four years. I got to lead the organization and work closely with admissions and alumni.
Q: How did your undergrad experience prepare you for your master’s year and your internship in Paris?
A: The program is fully accredited, so we complete everything we need for graduation within the first four years. That means those years are really rigorous, but it opens up the fifth year for each of us to shape however we want.
For me, that meant 11 credits in the fall, and only 3 in the Spring which has allowed me to learn a lot both in the classroom, but also outside of the classroom. I am learning a lot as a person and as an architect here.
It also prepared me for my internship. I feel confident in the office, even though I do not speak French, which I probably should. But I know I am capable of doing the work. I feel prepared to be in the field.
Q: Did you have any hands-on learning experiences in undergrad that helped prepare you for your career?
A: In our third year, all architecture students take a required semester of Design-Build. Instead of doing our usual design studios in the classroom, we work with a real client and a real budget to complete a real project. You start by asking what the client needs, then you propose a plan, make revisions, deal with the budget, and build it. It is one of the best real-world experiences we get.
Even in our final design studio at KU, we worked with real engineers and consultants from Kansas City to make our projects as realistic as possible. That experience of working with professionals is so helpful, and our professors were there to guide us through it. When we go into the real world, we already know what to expect.
Q: What is the value of earning a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in architecture, especially from KU?
A: In architecture, an accredited degree is required if you want to go into the field. But KU also has really strong name recognition. Even if I wanted to do something outside of architecture, people know KU. They know it is a great school.
Within architecture, firms know the quality of KU’s program. A lot of them recruit heavily from KU, especially in the Midwest, because they know how strong the program is and how well it prepares students.
Q: How has KU supported you through your master’s program and the transition to your career?
A: Every step of the way, I have felt supported. Design studios are known for being really intense, and our professors are a huge support system through that. Our academic advisors help with enrollment, and we also have staff in the School of Architecture who help with everything else.
Because the program is so rigorous, you really build strong time management and stress management skills. Those skills help a lot when transitioning into your profession.
KU also hosts the largest architecture career fair in the Midwest with more than 90 firms, so if you want to stay in the region, it is a great way to make connections. For those of us abroad, we can still reach out to professors we have known for years and ask for contacts. They know us well enough to say, “You would be a great fit at this firm,” and that kind of support is huge.
Q: What would you say to a student who is unsure about attending college or is not sure if a university is the right fit?
A: I started college during COVID, so it was a hard time. But coming to KU and being around so many people and having so many opportunities really helped me grow. It helped me come out of my shell and confirm what I wanted to do in life.
At KU, it is easy to come in with one idea and then pivot if you decide you want to do something else. You will be supported in that. It is a big place with endless opportunities, and that can really help you figure out your calling. I know it sounds a little cheesy, but it’s true.