Joanna Eun’s eye for design led her from helping her parents with their mom-and-pop stores to a career working for design firms in Philadelphia, New York, and ultimately the Bay Area.
Joanna’s first job was helping in her parents’ businesses, including outdoor flea markets, beauty supply stores, a corner grocery store and dry cleaning. After years of helping her parents she came to the realization that retail would not be her future career.
She graduated from Thomas Jefferson University (formerly Philadelphia University) with a degree in interior design. “I always liked the arts and I’ve always taken art classes,” Joanna explained. “I was very interested in being creative and working with my hands, but I realized that the saying “struggling artists” exists for a reason. So I looked for a field where I could be creative but have a more guaranteed income.That’s why I went down the interior design path.”
She followed her now-partner to the West Coast, where she did her time in the obligatory startup before joining Berkeley Lab. Now she brings her design and interior architecture skills to her role as a Strategic Space Planner on the Campus Planning team.
“Looking back on my experiences, I find that the Lab is really supportive and provides a great workplace environment.”
“I had one person tell me I need to value my work and understand how much I contribute. At the end you’re the best advocate for yourself.”
– Joanna Eun
How many different jobs have you had in your career journey, and which one was the most rewarding?
I’ve had several jobs throughout my career. As a child, I helped at my parents’ business. After college, during a recession, I was lucky to land my first real job at an architecture firm, then a small healthcare design firm in Philadelphia.
I wanted to work for a larger design firm which led me to move to NYC. I landed a job at Gensler, a large global architecture firm, where I’d wanted to work since college. I spent 10 years there. I gained tremendous work experience at Gensler and worked on many high profile projects. A proud moment when my project was published in Interior Design Magazine.
Meeting my now-partner led me to the West Coast, where I was given an opportunity as an in-house space planner at a startup biotech company. It was a great learning experience to work for a fast growing startup company. After three years there, where I supported the firm’s growth to 600 people, I joined the Lab.
Who was your most influential mentor – formal or informal – and how did they shape your career path?
One of my bosses early in my career had been in the industry for a very long time and her sense of design and style was amazing. She helped me to understand what design is, and how to design something that’s timeless. She taught me to have a clear balance of creating a well designed timeless space that is also functional operationally.
What career setback or mistake has helped you to succeed or grow?
Working for a startup was a one-of-a-kind experience. It was a good experience for me to have that exposure to startup culture. It was fun, and at the same time it helped me to better understand the importance of work/life balance. When I was there I was working crazy hours, which caused stress related health issues. After the startup, and when I came to the Lab, I developed a newer appreciation for balancing my time with my career and my personal life.
What is the most important piece of career advice you have received/learned?
I had one person tell me I need to value my work and understand how much I contribute. At the end you’re the best advocate for yourself. Avoid selling yourself short.
Another great piece of advice I received was to be kind to yourself. That can be a practical thing, like taking your lunch break. You work hard. You deserve to take that hour away from your work.
A career at Berkeley Lab offers a range of opportunities supported by training, mentorship, and career development programs. Whether you choose to build a career at the Lab or take your skills to other organizations, a career path to and at the Lab sets you up for success.