Chloe Roberts

Chloe Roberts

MA Architecture, 2024

About me

ABOUT MY CAREER 

I chose to study at Manchester Met because I found it to be the most approachable and successful architecture school in the North. The vast range of opportunities and topics excited me, and the atelier system at the Manchester School of Architecture allowed me to specialise in designing spaces and opportunities addressing trauma and mental health. 

After graduating, I founded Metamorphia, realising my desired job didn’t exist in the industry. This venture allows me to collaborate across industries while continuing my professional photography. My aim is to offer specialised design services addressing trauma and mental health, with plans to relocate and provide remote services in the near future. 

In the first phase of my company, Metamorphia, I am currently focused on building my network and opportunity pipeline. Daily tasks include marketing, setting targets, and devising systems. I aim to book one photoshoot per week for steady income, working with diverse clients from fashion to music, and I particularly enjoy travelling and capturing candid moments. 

The main skills I gained from Manchester Met include embracing the unknown, a concept encapsulated by my tutor Chris Maloney’s quote, “You don’t know what it is yet.” Creating your own path isn’t easy, and fear often creates conformity. However, my education taught me to embrace discomfort and pursue what excites and scares me. Despite many uncertainties, I met deadlines, achieved grades that once kept me up at night, organised events, and spoke confidently in rooms of opportunity. This journey has empowered me to forge my unique path with confidence. 

Due to graduating during the 2020 pandemic, a traditional two-year placement between Part 1 and Part 2 of my architecture studies wasn’t feasible. As a working-class girl without industry contacts and with firms closing down, I couldn’t secure a placement. This fuelled my hunger for self-direction. My architecture degree equipped me with diverse skills, making me a multi-disciplinary designer. I marketed myself and quickly booked clients, working across various industries, self-teaching photography, and completing two interior design projects. Balancing portfolio building was challenging but rewarding. Taking time to engage in self-directed projects provided me with immense knowledge, resilience, and a huge sense of achievement. 

Just a month out of university, I attended the UKREiiF event in Leeds with Manchester School of Architecture, building a contact list of over 30 industry professionals. This kickstarted opportunities, with emails inviting me to share my work. Additionally, I flew to France for a photography job, receiving one-on-one support and access to advanced equipment, furthering my business and talent. 

MY TOP TIP FOR STUDENTS IS 

Let go of fear. Embrace fear as excitement and pursue your dreams. I have doubted myself often, but every time I have voiced this, I am met with the same advice: take the path that scares you most; the safe option will always be there. Be consistent and understand where your passions lie. The world is ever-changing, and I believe that many of the skills the next generation of talent possess are yet to be fully realised.  

I’M INSPIRED BY 

The generation of go-getters. In 2024, there are more young founders than ever, with the internet creating vast opportunities. Living in the information age, everything needed for success is accessible. Entrepreneurs like Steven Bartlett give me hope and confidence to succeed on my own terms. 

WHY I LOVE MANCHESTER MET 

What I appreciated the most about studying at Manchester Met was the range of opportunities available. 

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