Rose Wine ’20 is adept at capturing Clark moments. A professional photographer, she chronicles events and people on campus, producing imagery that tells the story of her university in its many layers and rhythms.

She’s also good at seizing moments of her own. Wine, a double-major in English and international development and social change, spent last summer working for Kyle Brunel ’93, the founder and principal architect of Pencil Box Architects in San Francisco. Brunel works with clients on residential and commercial projects throughout the Bay Area.

Brunel, a former English major, was back on campus in the fall of 2017 for the Global Cultures Conference and had a chance to speak with Clark students in the English Department. “I was impressed with their thoughtfulness, their critical thinking, and their problem-solving capacity,” she says. “I took advantage of an opportunity that made perfect sense, which was to invite a student to come work with me as I work to grow my business and to help them learn about architecture.”

Wine appreciated her mentor’s “passion for art and architecture and her eye for design. I got a glimpse into what inspired her vision for Pencil Box Architects.” Once on the job, she immersed herself in many facets of the business, from marketing, to web design, to assisting with project-task management.

Wine entered her internship with no experience in architecture but was motivated to learn the profession from various angles.

“I was able to experience the design, precision, and form, and I got to see hands-on the synthesis of experience,
technology, and art,” she says. “I also learned the business side of things, and what it’s like to work at a small firm.

“I gained a valuable relationship with Kyle, who was willing to engage in conversations about my future and talk about potential career paths.”

Those paths are still being shaped and influenced by her Clark experiences. With fellow Clark students, Wine has assisted in efforts to rebuild hurricane-damaged Louisiana communities. She has taught English to high school-aged refugees in Worcester through African Community Education, is a leader in the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, and works as a resident adviser and as a troubleshooter with Clark’s Information Technology Services Help Desk.

“I have so many interests, which are reflected in my jobs, commitments, and hobbies,” she says. “I want to see which
ones either continue to set me on fire with passion, or find a way to synthesize those passions.”

Rose’s internship was made possible by ClarkCONNECT, which brings together Clark students with alumni who not only share industry expertise and career-preparation advice, but also provide internship and employment opportunities. This story appears in the winter 2019 issue of Clark magazine.