Jesús Jiménez graduated in Architecture in 2010-2011 and has been working since then in different projects and studios. We’ve caught him in London, where he is currently working, and asked him a couple of questions!
Where are you working now?
In UHA London, London, UK.
Which are your professional aims at work?
My aim is to learn as much as I can every day and enjoy what I am doing. I also believe that a healthy balance between working hours and life out of the office is very important.
Which is your last project? And the most important?
My last project is a 365,000 m2 Masterplan in Gurgaon (India) where we are commissioned to do the hi-rise residential and Foster + Partners are doing the commercial. I can’t really tell which would be my most important job. Having worked in a range of different countries (UK, Mexico, India, Kazakhstan, Russia, China, etc.) you always find unique features and challenges on many projects.
Do you think your academic training at University have helped you in your daily work?
Definitely. It has taught me how to overcome difficult daily issues and has provided me with the necessary base knowledge to start my professional career.
Tell us briefly how is a usual day at your work.
I live and work in central London so commuting is quite an interesting part of my day since so much is being built at the moment here. When I get in I first check my emails and do all the necessary coordination with my team and with any other teams of the jobs I am working on. Something I love about what I do is that there is not such a thing as a ‘usual’ day; you can be out on site, travelling or just in front of the computer so you never get bored.
In general, what is your impression of the studies you did at University CEU Cardenal Herrera?
In my opinion they are comprehensive and give you the necessary tools for the future.
Would you recommend University CEU Cardenal Herrera to people with academic interests like your own?
Yes, I would.
What are your future professional objectives?
Continuing to develop my professional career in the international field.
How were your professors like? Did they motivate you to excel in your field of expertise, to reach for more than what might be considered the norm?
Yes, they did. Most of them have been very demanding and that helps you pushing your boundaries to get to know yourself better.
Do you think University CEU Cardenal Herrera did enough to assist you in developing your talents and skills? Could we have done more in this respect? If so, what more could we have done?
I think CEU Cardenal Herrera have done as much as they could, but I wished the Architecture degrees in Spain were a bit less theoretical and more practical.
Do you miss Spain? Do you plan on returning?
I do miss Spain but I don’t see myself going back for at least 3-5 more years. I am so happy here that I wouldn’t mind staying here for the rest of my life, but it’s very difficult to tell what will happen in the future.
Is there anything else you would like to tell?
Hope things get better in Spain asap!