Profession: BA Architecture Student
City: Harrow, London
Country: United Kingdom

What inspired you to want a life in Architecture and the creative industries?:
The process of creation. One of my first exposures to the profession of Architecture was seeing the process of sketching, to modelling, to seeing the realised concept. The process of actualisation was so incredibly fascinating – that something has been made from nothing but imagination , conversation and drawings. I’ve always been a creative, from writing to drawing all throughout my childhood, so discovering a career that was the combination of both was so fulfilling to young Fiona. I’ve been enamoured ever since and have been diligently and passionately pursuing a life in Architecture ever since.

Who inspired you in finding your path to Architecture/Film and the creative industries?:
I would have to credit my secondary school tutor, who set up a one week work experience at an Architectural firm – an experience that redirected my focus on the career as a whole. Since that experience, organisations and collectives such as Black Female Architects and Open City Accelerate have provided incredible insight and mentors that have continued to nurture my passion. Akua Danso of BFA and Emily Foster, my former mentor at Open City Accelerate both had such inspiring journeys into Architecture that continue to act as guides as I pursue my career and they deserve this shout out.

How you unlock obstacles and overcome bias in your work?:
I’ve found the most effective way to overcome bias and obstacles is to constantly put myself out there. Opportunities are truly opportunities. I make a point and effort to actively search out and attempt any work experience, networking or volunteering opportunities that come my way and have realised that I do receive what I give out – more amazing opportunities come from the ones I take because now I’ve taken up space. Through this proactiveness, this diligence in searching for opportunity portrays a good image and helps tackle any prejudice or bias made about me initially. Actions truly speak louder than words.

What improvements do you feel are required to promote effective change in the academic and working environment?:
I definitely think adverting opportunities the right way is ideal. The opportunities I received  during my Sixth Form that ultimately consolidated my ambition in a career in Architecture was, sadly to say, based off luck. I had made the choice at 16 to study at a Sixth Form  in a “better” borough because I understood that unfortunately  educational opportunities  are scarce in my socio-economic area. It was only through enrolling at the Sixth Form that I came across an amazing opportunity. The dejecting part is, the opportunity was a a free mentoring experience targeted at underrepresented students however it was advertised in an underrepresented area. This is just the earliest example I can recall that makes me adamant that marketing and audience reaching if opportunities is paramount in promoting effective change in the academic and working environment.