Jocelyn Dominguez went from design intern to full-time landscape designer at RVi’s Scottsdale, Arizona office. Her love of science, nature, and design drove her to change her major from civil engineering to landscape architecture and pushed her to step outside her introverted comfort zone to build industry connections and pursue meaningful, impactful work.

In this Employee Spotlight, Jocelyn shares how she found her way to landscape architecture, how her internship at RVi shaped her early career, and what inspires her to keep growing in the profession.

 

How did you discover landscape architecture?

My sister is a civil engineer and was the one who introduced me to landscape architecture. One day she brought home some work plans and showed me what landscape architecture plans looked like. She jokingly said, “You’d love this field—they pick trees and rocks on the computer!” Obviously, it’s much more than that, but it did spark my interest.

I’ve always loved design, nature, and being outdoors. I initially planned on studying civil engineering, and in my senior year of high school I got a civil engineering internship. But after looking more into the field, I was able to shadow a landscape architecture firm for a day thanks to my mentor at that internship. After that, I decided to pursue a landscape architecture degree at Arizona State University.

What do you enjoy the most about your work?

I love the diversity of projects. At RVi, I’ve had the chance to work on everything from master planned communities to public spaces. There’s always something new to learn or explore.

Landscape architecture is a field I wish more people knew about—we get to do everything from urban planning and studying soil and tree canopy sizes, to designing public spaces and selecting materials that shape the space’s ambience. Now that the profession is officially recognized as part of the STEM field, I hope even more people become aware of the meaningful and wide-ranging work we do.

What was the hardest part of moving from student to professional?

The biggest adjustment was going from the classroom to the real world. There’s just so much more to take in. It’s fast-paced, and there’s always something new to learn. But I also find that exciting. I love knowing that I can keep growing in new directions.

How did your internship at RVi come about?

In college, I spent time researching firms to see which ones aligned with my values and goals. RVi stood out because of the kind of work they were doing, especially their restoration projects in Texas, and the values they represented.

During my senior year, a recruiter from RVi found me on LinkedIn and reached out. I sent over my resume and portfolio, which included studio work, construction documents, plant design, and design process examples. I was invited to interview in the Scottsdale office, and just getting the interview felt like a huge win. When I got the offer the next day, I was beyond excited. I grabbed the opportunity and never let go, and I’ve been here ever since.

What stands out as a favorite memory from your internship?

The team-building events! We had quarterly office get-togethers, and I really appreciated how much RVi prioritized office culture. Now that I’m full-time, I get to help contribute to that culture too. My coworker Konnor Pendland and I even call ourselves the “Culture Committee.” We plan things like birthday parties and team bonding events.

Konnor was also my mentor during my internship and a former intern herself. She’s had a huge influence on me. She always took the time to answer questions or help me through challenges, and her kindness and guidance made me feel welcomed and supported.

How did the internship prepare you for your current role?

It was the perfect bridge between school and the real world. I got the opportunity to work on everything, from design development to construction documents, and even had the chance to go on site visits and punch walks. I was able to apply what I was learning in school to what I was working on in my internship. After graduating, I was excited to explore more projects and opportunities.

What made you say “yes” to RVi?

The people, the values, and the projects. There’s a genuinely welcoming energy here that made me feel comfortable around everyone and I felt passionate about working here.

What are your professional goals?

Right now, I’m focused on get licensed so I can eventually grow into a project manager role. It would be amazing to one day be able to manage my own projects and approve my own work.

What do you wish someone told you when you were a student?

Be comfortable with being uncomfortable. My director told me that, and it stuck. At first, it was really hard. I used to be extremely shy and avoided social situations where I didn’t know anyone, until one day, I realized how many connections I was missing out on. So I started signing up for events, even if I didn’t know anyone who was going. I usually end up finding someone I recognize, or I make new connections. It’s scary, but pushing through those moments helps you grow and opens doors to a multitude of opportunities!

What’s something surprising your colleagues may not know about you?

I love metal, rock, and punk rock. I went to a punk rock show recently and finally got to crowd surf for the first time, and it was awesome!