Hi, we're Desai and Thuan — best friends from architecture school and early-career designers on a journey to discover how to build creatively fulfilling and financially sustainable careers. We’re excited to share notes from our podcast and hope you’ll subscribe for bi-monthly updates!
In our second podcast episode, we sat down with Je Hyeon Baek, a multidisciplinary project coordinator now working at Zubatkin Owner Representation, a Cumming Group company.
Je's story is one of rethinking the role of design after architecture school, and learning how to thrive in a new space—one where relationships, coordination, and curiosity matter just as much as drawing skills.
From Design Studio to Military Barracks
While Je studying architecture at Cornell, he took a two-year break to complete his mandatory military service in South Korea. The experience exposed him to people and perspectives far beyond the design bubble—and helped him see life, career, and collaboration through a new lens.
“Living with people so different from me taught me how to interact, how to listen. That skill still holds true today.”
When he returned, the contrast between life inside the studio and life outside was impossible to ignore. His curiosity about what else was out there only deepened.
When Drawing Buildings Isn’t Enough
After graduation, Je joined KPF in New York, where he worked on high-end residential and hospitality projects. The scale was massive—his Miami tower project recently hit $800 million in sales—but he felt removed from the impact.
“I laid out every unit in that building. But I’ve never been to Miami. I wanted a more personal relationship with the projects I worked on.”
This desire to know the site, to connect with the place and people, sparked a quiet shift.
Coffee Chats, Side Classes, and Career Clarity
Rather than pivot dramatically, Je started small: taking evening real estate classes at NYU and reaching out to friends and mentors who had explored opportunities outside of traditional architectural practice. Through these conversations, he discovered the world of owner’s representation.
“I didn’t even know what a lot of job titles meant. The only way to figure it out was to talk to people—friends, colleagues, people doing what I was curious about.”
He now works as a project manager on educational and cultural developments, coordinating architects, engineers, contractors, and clients. His days range from budget reconciliations to site walks and troubleshooting building problems.
Owner's Representation (often called Owner’s Rep) refers to a professional service in construction and real estate projects where a third-party expert acts on behalf of the project owner (e.g., a developer, corporation, or institution) to oversee the planning, design, and construction process. The owner's representative ensures that the project is delivered on time, within budget, and according to the owner’s objectives and quality standards.
Why the Office Culture Matters Just as Much as the Work
Je credits his current sense of fulfillment not just to the projects, but to the supportive, collaborative office culture.
“When something goes wrong, no one’s blaming anyone. You sort it out. You learn. That’s not something I was used to—but it makes all the difference.”
For Je, this environment—one that celebrates learning and trust—has been a game-changer.
Advice for Young Designers Exploring What’s Next
Je doesn’t sugarcoat it: transitioning into new fields like development or project management can be hard without the right experience or degrees. But there are ways to start small: online classes, certificates, and reaching out to people in adjacent roles.
“You just have to talk to more people. You don’t lose anything by asking. Worst case? They ignore you. Best case? You learn something that opens a new door.”
Whether you’re happy in your current role or thinking about change, Je’s story is a reminder that careers don’t move in straight lines—and sometimes, the most important step is simply asking better questions.
Je is currently working on a range of cultural and educational projects across NYC, and continues to support young designers navigating their next steps in the AEC industry. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.
This article accompanies our second podcast episode featuring Je Hyeon Baek. You can listen to it here on Substack, or find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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