Learning in different environments helped Sophie Trom realize all the different paths a degree in landscape architecture could open for her.
Sophie Trom’s interest in landscape architecture is rooted in her childhood.
The daughter of a civil engineer, Trom always took pride in her dad’s career accomplishments. “I always thought it was cool that he could point to projects he had a hand in,” she recalls.
As Trom started exploring her own interests, she was drawn to Iowa State’s program in the College of Design, thanks to the energy of the faculty and the potential opportunities to combine her education with travel.
Inspiring Surroundings
While traveling with Savanna Studio, Trom took a pair of two-week trips through the savanna region of the United States, which included journeys to Colorado and Texas. On the road, Trom saw the potential to apply her landscape architecture degree in a variety of ways.
She honed her skills through different memorable moments, including watercolor sketching in the shadow of Saint Louis’ Saarinen-designed Gateway Arch, and learning to identify tree and plant species while touring national parks and urban environments.
Trom also spent a semester studying abroad in Rome, where her classes met at the Colosseum, catacombs, cathedrals, and Italian public spaces.
Open Road
Throughout her studies, Trom loved working alongside landscape architects and would like to find a job at a firm after graduation. And, she’ll continue to embrace the urge to wander.
“Each new place I go, I learn something new,” she says. “Every community works differently. I need to understand the context to provide the best spaces possible.”
