The Civil Engineering Contractor June 2018 | Page 33

PROFILE
CEC: As a project architect, what are
your greatest challenges working in
a male-dominated environment?
AS: Statistically, yes, the profession is
still largely male dominated and the
reasons are multiple, and gender-
related assumptions still endure. Despite
university statistics showing a lean
towards more women in architecture
graduating, in the field we see a lot fewer
women as practicing professionals. I
believe that this is directly attributed
to the lack of mentorship and guidance
young women professionals are
exposed to.
During my career, I’ve been incredibly
fortunate to know and work with
confident, powerful, and independent
women (and men) who have guided me
to succeed in this field based on talent,
work ethic, grit, and determination.
As a young professional, I was
constantly comparing myself to the
male-dominated field. However,
realising that focusing on your work,
your team, and the final product sets
you apart and will help you excel in
your career, regardless of whether it’s in
a male-dominated or female-dominated
industry. My attitude and competence
set the tone, and others’ perceptions
and responses followed suit.
I do believe that encouragingly, we
are in a time of great change. My
experience working in a firm with
51% female presence is that the ground
is shifting. The ‘boys club’ has been
infiltrated. It just shows that at the end
of the day, talent is talent and once
exposed, it can come from the least
expected place.
CEC: What gets you up in
the morning; what excites
you about your career?
AS: The appeal of the job we do is
not only evident in the built product,
borne out of a creative process, intense
collaboration, and design development
with other professionals — it is in the
ability to assume multiple roles and to
re-imagine different ways to resolve a
challenge.
style, which may not come naturally
to you.
Don’t take things personally. Design
is frequently subjective and often quite
personal; a critique on your product is
not a critique on you. nn
I embarked on a journey to realise this
passion by studying at the University of
the Witwatersrand, obtaining my MArch
(Prof) in 2012.
As a candidate architect, I knew that
the process of licensing to practice as
a professional would require a quality
mentorship and a strong design directive
in order to give me the preparation and
poise I needed. My work experience
at Paragon Architects has given me
that guidance and training for the past
five years. I have been fortunate to be
involved in a variety of typologies of
architecture, ranging from industrial and
commercial to retail and residential.
Alexandra Slaviero, project architect for
Paragon Architects, believes that the
many years of studies hones skills and
challenges resolve.
“Realising that focusing
on your work, your team,
and the final product
sets you apart and will
help you excel in your
career, regardless of
whether it’s in a male-
dominated or female-
dominated industry.”
CEC: What is your message
to graduates in your field?
AS: The many years of studies hones
your skills, challenges your resolve, and
develops a strong work ethic. Use these
acquired traits to further develop your
craft — there is always something to be
learnt or improved on.
Lead with your strengths and don’t
try to mimic someone else’s leadership
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