What an Architect at AIA Architect Wishes They Knew Before Architecture
Laurie, an architect, wishes someone had advised her to focus on specific aspects of the profession early on, rather than trying "to do everything," especially given the historically male-dominated field and the challenges this presented in career progression. Their early licensing and independent practice provided invaluable experience that might have been limited in larger firms due to gender bias and the resulting lack of delegation of responsibility.
Gender Inequality in the Workplace, Mentorship and Career Guidance, Professional Development and Skill Acquisition, Entrepreneurship and Independent Practice, Work-Life Balance
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Laurie Friedman
Architect
AIA Architect
University of California, Los Angeles and University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Master of Architecture
Architecture, Interior Design, Fine Arts, Music
Architecture, Construction & Design, Consulting & Related Professional Services
Creative
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. The architecture profession is male-dominated, so it's important to be aware of that going in.
2. Focus on a few aspects of the profession (like design and planning) rather than trying to do everything.
3. Starting your own firm after getting your license can provide more diverse experience and opportunities than working for a large firm, especially concerning delegation of responsibility and avoiding stagnation for women in the field.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
That's a really interesting question because I got that advice the night before I left for architecture school from some of my parents' friends. They asked me, "Do you realize you're going to be the only woman in your class?"
It never occurred to me that there was such a thing as a male-dominated profession. But that being said, while I was being educated and working, I really would have appreciated a mentor who could have told me to focus on just a few aspects of the profession, like design and planning.
I kind of regret that I hadn't worked longer in firms, especially larger firms that were doing larger-scale projects. But I probably would have stagnated professionally at the time, given the lack of women in the profession and the reluctance of men to delegate responsibility to us.
I noticed that very early on. So as soon as I got my license, which I had before I was 30, I went off on my own. Several projects came up and I was able to do them.
I gained the kind of experience, whether it was putting together a set of construction documents or even going out to the site and monitoring the construction. I would not have had those opportunities if I had stayed in a firm because I would have gotten pigeonholed.