Soledad Estellano is 32 years old and holds a degree in architecture from ORT. Since graduating five years ago, she has founded her own architecture firm, and in 2017 she began working in ORT’s Academic Advising Office to assist, inform, and share her experiences throughout her studies with prospective students.
Estellano highlights several aspects when reflecting on his time at ORT: the close relationship with the faculty, the well-organized schedule, the regular on-site internships, the available resources, and the ease of entering the job market are just a few of them.
Qualified instructors in the subject
Looking back on his student years, Estellano recalls how the teachers were always available to answer questions, both in and out of the classroom.
“They were always available by phone, on WhatsApp, and whenever you ran into them outside the classroom. That shows their commitment to student learning,” says the architecture graduate.
Another point he highlighted was the fact that ORT teachers devote their professional lives to the subjects they teach. “They’re not only educating you academically, but they’re also sharing their personal experience in their respective fields,” he notes.
Learning by doing
The emphasis on practical aspects throughout the program is another element highlighted by the ORT graduate. She says that during her five years as a student, she visited more than 25 construction sites with her class. “That allows you to see everything you learned in class. You go to the site and actually see how the topics that were covered from a theoretical perspective are being put into practice,” she says.
Students also have the opportunity to apply everything they’ve learned in class to a construction site themselves. “In the Construction Practice course, you’re the one who performs the tasks, which range from building a wall to laying out a site or applying plaster. The idea is that this practical work always takes place on projects of social interest, which allows you not only to learn by doing but also to make a contribution to society,” says Estellano.
In charge of your own schedule
According to Estellano, the architecture program at ORT is structured so that each student is in control of their own schedule. “There is a strong emphasis on scheduling, and students receive a detailed schedule from the start of the course: right from the beginning, you know which classes you’ll take, when and how they’ll be held, and what the assessments for those courses are, all laid out in a detailed calendar provided at the start,” he explains.
A state-of-the-art library and modern technological tools are other features the architect highlights. “The university has highly significant technology department that provides everything from top-of-the-line equipment in classrooms—such as computers and monitors—to facilities in laboratories, plotter rooms, and 3D-cutting printers,” she explains.
90% employment rate
Currently, nine out of ten graduates from ORT’s School of Architecture are working in a field related to their studies.
According to Estellano, ORT architecture graduates are highly sought after by companies and firms looking to bring new talent onto their teams. “They have a practical mindset; they’re professionals who know how to tackle a problem head-on, know how to solve it, and also possess all the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to do so correctly,” he says.
Tailor-made scholarships
Another highlight of studying architecture at ORT is its extensive scholarship program.
“Those interested in pursuing a degree at ORT who need financial assistance can apply for a scholarship program. They can visit the university for more information. The idea is that financial considerations should not be a barrier when choosing a degree program,” says Estellano, adding: “Each case is handled individually, and the university always seeks ways to provide the assistance that each prospective student and each family needs,” he concludes.