Professional Profile: Jessica Schmitzberger
Jessica Schmitzberger
Lab Design spoke to Jessica Schmitzberger, project director, science + technology studio at Taylor Design in Los Angeles, CA. Read more about her advice to her younger self, her fascination with outer space, and her horse named Sam.
Q: What is one important skill that all lab design experts should have?
A: Flexibility of the mind. New products, technologies, and standards happen over time, and with so many fast-moving parts, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed. Clients operate in their own ways, and having a strong foundation in lab design and planning, knowing your strengths and harnessing your skillsets will enable you to be successful in your endeavors.
Q: If you could tell your younger self something, what would it be?
A: Don’t sweat the big stuff or the small stuff. It’s not worth the toll it takes on your mental and physical health. Take care of yourself and know that anything you set your mind to, you can and have achieved.
Q: What kinds of hobbies or interests do you have outside of work?
A: I am a horse girl—loud and proud! I love everything horses. I ride at a very humble but amazing stable in Atwater Village, Los Angeles, called San Rafael Hunt Club, and I’m currently training in Dressage. My horse, Sam, is my partner in crime.
Q: What is the best piece of professional advice you have received?
A: This advice came from one of my earliest and dearest mentors, Ko Kiyohara at Kiyohara & Moffitt in Los Angeles. He told me, “No matter what problems arise, there’s always a solution.” It’s been over a decade since he passed on, and his words have been a guide in my life to not worry or stress about issues that pop into a project at a moment’s notice. There will always be a resolution—it might not be what you originally anticipated, but things do come to a completion.
Q: What are some of your future career goals?
A: I would love to add aerospace Tech projects into the S&T studio. I am an avid fan of anything and everything space—movies, TV, real-time news and updates on NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, etc. I also have this childhood dream of becoming a space architect. We’ll see how far I get!
Q: For someone entering this career field, what advice would you give them?
A: I would tell them that every day is another chance to learn and grow in the field. The minute you stop learning, you stop growing. Stay active and be curious about what you are working on. Ask lots of questions, and don’t be afraid to stick your neck out. Always let someone know that you need clarification or help. It’s in those moments of self-realization that you become a better version of yourself, and more knowledgeable in what you are doing.
Q: What’s a common misconception about your job?
A: A common misconception that I often get about my job is that I’m not as involved as I am in the projects and day-to-day activities. The reality is that I am consistently there in the weeds, making sure teams and staff—whether project specific or overhead—have the support and guidance that they need to follow through on projects, the office, or work/life balance in general.
