Maxwell Jaekle ’22, M’23, an architectural design + technology major, is interning with Richard Turlington Architects, Inc., of New Haven, Conn., this summer. He plans to continue the internship during winter break in between semesters. At the internship, Jaekle is consistently visiting the site of an ongoing project at the University of Connecticut. He works remotely on the construction documents of various projects. One of his most rewarding projects has been working on an urban design project in New Haven. This includes sketching over real-life pictures with proposed designs for the revitalized space. He has also been given the opportunity to work with Riverfront Recapture in Hartford, a nonprofit that works toward connecting the city to the Connecticut River, on further developing a park master plan.
When asked how UHart prepared him for his internship, Jaekle says the various computer programs he has learned how to use in his classes have become the most valuable skill to know. Specifically, he, along with other architecture students, uses computer programs such as AutoCAD and Revit that are also being utilized by professionals. Jaekle says he also learned how to make a working construction document set of a building in his advanced construction documents class during his junior year.
Jaekle is pursuing both an undergraduate and graduate degree in architecture because he loves designing and building things. “On every career quiz that I have taken since middle school, architect was always in the top three. I was even obsessed with Legos as a kid and was always passionate about creating buildings,” he says. “There is never only one solution to solve a problem in this field and that is something that has always intrigued me.”
Jaekle is pursuing the accelerated track for the Master of Architecture program at UHart, which can be completed in just five years. This means he will be taking graduate classes in his senior year and the summer going into graduate school to be able to graduate within a year from earning his undergraduate degree. Many students find this program convenient, flexible, time-saving, and cost effective.
When asked why he chose to attend UHart, Jaekle echoes many of his other classmates when he highlights the small class sizes and personable relationships students establish with faculty.
Maxwell Jaekle ’22, M’23, architectureMy professors are always available for one-on-one help in class and consistently go above and beyond for me and other students in the program. From providing advice when I email them a question to even helping me get the internship that I have, their impact has been a major factor in why I not only chose UHart but chose to stay here for my graduate degree as well.
One faculty member who has particularly influenced Jaekle is Stephen Smith. As his third-year studio professor, Smith helped Jaekle find exactly what he enjoyed doing most under the architecture space. “In architecture, there are so many subcategories that one can go into, such as residential, commercial, landscape design, master planning, and urban design,” he says. “I have become very interested in master and urban planning, including being able to design the entire space and how one feels in, say, a park or city block, rather than just a single building.”
In terms of additional involvement, Jaekle has been a member of UHart’s men’s Ultimate Frisbee team for three years. In his second year, he served as the fundraiser chair for the team. During his junior and upcoming year as a senior, he held the role of captain. “I am excited for the fall semester because we will finally be able to practice in person and attend tournaments, something we were unable to do last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
When asked what advice he would pass on to incoming students, Jaekle says to meet as many people as possible at the University. “Whether it is through a sports club, academic club, or interest club, having a community of people at UHart with similar interests to yours will make such a difference in your college experience,” he says. “In particular, it can help you manage stress from classes and can grow into countless, life-long friendships. I have made some of my closest friends through the Ultimate Frisbee team, and they have been by my side through some of my best and hardest times.”