Hi there, I'm Tyler Broadbent. While originally an Astrophysics major, I switched to Architecture after freshman year. I'm also from Gainesville--I went to Buchholz High School. I enjoy climbing, teaching, and living and breathing architecture through the year.

Hometown

Gainesville, FL.

Major(s)

Astrophysics turned Architecture Major

Minor(s)

Considered Digital Arts; I have taken various classes within that major.

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Within architecture, I have been a teaching assistant for Design 1, 2, and 4. I've also been on the creative team of Architrave--an undergraduate publication of student work--for two years now. I currently work at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center--UF's indoor sports arena--and am a Senior Supervisor there. In my free time, I go climbing at The Knot.

Describe your college experience

Because I'm from Gainesville, my transition to UF was smooth, and I lived at home for my first 2 years. While my experience in Astrophysics was good, I ultimately realized I wanted a more creative major (and got tired of the math). Switching to Architecture significantly improved my experience and led to greater enjoyment of classes, a larger social circle, and more connections and opportunities to the professional field. This switch, along with working a campus job, have made me a much more extroverted, driven, and productive person.

Tip for future students

One tip I have to join at least one club or student organization! Architecture is a studio environment and a really close-knit major, and so making friends within it is really easy. In other majors with different learning environments, this may not be the case. Finding your niche interests and like-minded people will make your college experience much better. Additionally, don't be afraid to switch majors! For a while, I though I was "locked in" to Astrophysics. But after switching--and not to sound dramatic--my whole life changed. Remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.

Favorite class

My favorite class has been Design 1, which I took over summer two years ago. The summer session of Design 1 and 2 is for transfer students and those who switched to Architecture within UF to "catch up" to those who started Design as freshman the previous fall. This summer session is accelerated--it's 4 hours of class Mon-Fri, and homework the rest of the day. But this class is where I made my best friends, many productive habits, and became completely immersed in the design field. It was the best and single most impactful class I've ever taken by far.

Career goals

While I'm not sure if I'll get my own license to practice architecture, I want to eventually go into a digital field to work on film, entertainment, games, etc. I imagine that I'll still work in a firm for a while to develop a professional portfolio with passion projects on the side. I would also like to move to NYC.

Ideal way to spend a free night

Generally, I would like to spend a free night with friends and go out to the bars in Midtown ​/​ Downtown or at their house north of the university. But, during the semester, my ideal night is working alongside them in the studio, where I am my most creative, comedic, and driven.

High school or secondary school

Buchholz High School, Gainesville, FL.

Previous college

While I did not transfer colleges, I dual enrolled during high school at Santa Fe College, and can speak to those experiences, transfer credit, taking non-UF classes as a UF student, etc.