Sarah Wang – Associate Principal, Oculus Light Studio
Ten years ago I entered the job market as a new international graduate student, looking for a role in the traditional design fields at a time when construction was still recovering from the Great Recession. A friend introduced me to the lighting industry—a different and exciting world. It was a relatively young field, growing and full of opportunities.
When I joined Oculus, the company was only 2 years old. I feel lucky that I clicked with the team right away. Founder Archit Jain and Scott Hatton were incredibly supportive. It was a steep learning curve, but my knowledge of lighting and the industry grew quickly.
And then… Woosh! Ten years have flown. Some may think it’s boring to stay in one place for that long, but I’ve never felt that way. In this still-young industry with a fast-growing company, there are always new things to learn, new techniques to try, new types of projects to work on, and always room to grow. It was never boring, and no two days ever felt the same.
I’ve felt that sense of possibility and constant change in many aspects of my life. At work, I was promoted to Associate Principal. This milestone meant stepping outside my old comfort zone, into supervising projects and wooing clients. In life, I’m about to become a mom in May—another meaningful change, and one that I know will reshape my life moving forward. There are also changes in our industry, larger-scale paradigm shifts make many of us wonder what the future will look like.
Taking it all in stride
Ten years ago, change and uncertainty would keep me up at night. But through all these years in lighting, I’ve learned something valuable: much like lighting design itself—a discipline that blends science with art—it’s good to have data and calculations to give us structure, but it’s often the unexpected that brings beauty.
I’m especially grateful to have found mentors and a strong professional community along the way. In lighting design, knowledge is often shared generously, and people across the supply chain are closely connected. I’ve also found real support through the WILD Mentorship Program—a space where we all share our questions, experiences, and challenges freely. We share our victories, as well, giving and taking thoughtful, constructive advice.
Through WILD, I’ve connected with inspiring women in the field—leaders who model how to adapt, evolve, and thrive while staying grounded. Their stories have helped me find perspective, and a steady sense of direction, in times of rapid change.
The world will keep changing, but so will we. And that’s something I’ve learned to embrace.