Blog: Walking your Own Path
Rachel Knight, Architectural Assistant and head of our Academy, considers whether career paths need to be linear to be successful in her latest blog as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2023.
It’s likely that most of us will go through a similar education experience in the UK, bouncing from primary to secondary school and probably further education too (especially now that young people have to remain in some form of education until 18) and possibly higher education. It would be foolish to assume that any two of those journeys were the same.
My career path has been far from conventional. I began my architecture studies in my 30s with my husband and two children at home. The decision we took for me to study away from home in Portsmouth whilst my family lived back in Yorkshire raised a few eyebrows, but it was right for us, and it made me fiercely determined to succeed.
Education can be more complex than progressing from one level to the next to achieve success. For many students, there are systematic and invisible barriers to accessing and surviving mainstream education, let alone thriving in it!
Almost a third of students leave school without achieving Level 4 (Grade C for those who still use the old system) in English and Maths. It would be prudent of us not to assume that this is purely down to a lack of academic ability, skill or talent in passing an exam. There’s often a much bigger picture to someone’s educational story waiting to be uncovered.
We already know that a child’s geographical location, inherent social class, and economic means all play a significant part in their journey. Studying architecture has traditionally been a long process involving three stages of post-18 education plus work placements and years out. What can we do to help those that fall foul of the system or don’t think that architecture is a route that they could realistically pursue?
January 2023 saw me take on the new role as head of our Academy. A position that I feel incredibly proud of and privileged to step into. Creating space that celebrates people’s successes supports students on their path into industry and promotes the message that education is for everyone, no matter where you’re starting from or what difficulties you face along the way, is unbelievably important to me.
A recent report published this week by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) show that architecture has a long way to go to be a profession made up of diverse individuals and that inclusion is still something we strive for rather than something we have achieved.
A significant focus for our Academy at Bowman Riley this year is looking at the new ways that we can support students at all stages of their education as they make those big decisions about their futures. From those workshops in primary schools to secondary school career fairs, to providing inspiring and exciting work experience placements, to practical feedback on CVs and tips on interview techniques. We are working closely with schools, colleges and universities up and down the country to improve the opportunities available to all students. This year we are sponsoring the Women in Property Student Awards in the Yorkshire and North East region, which I took part in as an undergraduate to help empower female students and equip them with extra confidence for a career in the built environment.
I believe our efforts at Bowman Riley will make small steps towards a more talented, diverse, and driven future workforce joining the architectural profession in the coming years – how exciting!
So, here’s to everyone out there walking their own path. We see you, and we can’t wait to meet you!