Introduction
My name is Milica Rajlic, and I am from Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a small country in Southeastern Europe, populated with very heartwarming but opinioned people. Forever in transition, seeking its position in between the modern and traditional world, tormented in between past and the future. I grew up in the post-war period, I was old enough to know all the struggles that my parents were going through - but too young to be able to help them and to understand the cruelty of the world. Architecture was not my first choice when I graduated from high school. I always wanted to be able to express myself creatively, but at the same time I was interested in foreign languages and physics. After considering options of studying abroad that were not affordable to me at the time, I decided to stay more grounded and try architecture at the University of Banja Luka, a town close to my hometown. It was a last-minute call, and since I had a wide range of interests that covered both creative and science aspects, I was admitted to the Faculty of Architecture. What attracted me the most was the variety of subjects and programs that were oriented towards building a general knowledge. They’re slowly guiding you through the world of architecture and all the possibilities and choices that you can make at the end of your journey. I appreciated also that they were giving us the opportunity to dream. Some of my professors encouraged us to think big. Even when we did not have the knowledge and skills to fully bring these ideas to reality. We got to experience the world of designing, shaping, and making our ideas in some form of reality. Throughout my college years, I went to architectural student conventions and student exchange programs. On my final year, I was able to spend two months in Istanbul, Turkey, through IAESTE, an international exchange student program. Experiences like that forever changed my perspective and broadened my horizons. I realized the power of knowledge exchange and how important it is to meet new people and travel. I started working as an architectural drafter for a company that was mostly contracting for foreign organizations. This allowed me to stay close to my family and at the same time, to be a part of a larger community of professionals. Several years after, I was able to gain technical knowledge of working with building envelopes. Going through the process of seeing the idea coming into the realization, materialization, and structurally designed object, fulfilled my personal preferences to always combine creative and practical elements. One of the companies we were collaborating with at the time offered me to move abroad as a skilled worker, to help with workload and become more personally involved in project management. I decided to accept the offer and they supported me on my journey. It is a small organization, with a fast-growing pace. We work with various metal panel systems, but my responsibilities vary daily, and everything is changing constantly. That means that I always need to be ready for new challenges, learn new methods and materials.
Architecture Fellow
career options
Studying architecture gives you an opportunity for broad options of careers. There are more creative choices related to design: interior designer, furniture designer, interior architect; or the choices that are more urban-planning related: town planners, building architects, restoration and preservation architects. There're also construction career choices: project management, architectural drafter, material estimator, construction supervisor. Based on the company you work for; these careers can overlap and interfere - or be self-sufficient.
Architecture Fellow
skills
What are the main hard skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
AutoCAD is a computer-aided design software application that helps users to draw and modify 2D and 3D designs digitally. It allows precision and efficiency while creating a technical drawing. This is the tool used by many other engineering professions. My job requires mostly a proficient level of using 2D commands. Use of layers, blocks, and annotative objects allows you to create any type of plans, elevations, and details.
Technical knowledge is a combination of the general disciplines learned through college and applied knowledge learned on-the-job. For an architect, there is always a variety of technical skills and constant need to examine an object from general to a specific detail characteristic - and vice versa, from a detail to a complete structure. Understanding of the construction - recognition of the functional and structural elements, ability to read though all architectural drawings, and focus at the same time on detail and complete object are equally important skills. In my daily work, I am constantly reminded of the overall processes and connections between elements. Every detail must be examined in relation to the project's overall goal.
This is the crucial skill which enables us to coordinate and use all the technical and drafting knowledge and lead a project from start to finish. You learn time management, project planning, managing the materials and labor, estimating cost. How to plan monitor and execute projects on time. Every company has a different method of tracking the phases of the project and estimating materials, but generally everyone uses various software such as Procore, Building Connected or Bluebeam and Excel for estimates.
What are the main soft skills you use on a daily basis in your current job?
Architectural projects are very rarely individual projects. To successfully go through separate phases of the projects, you must closely collaborate with not just architectural professionals, but also with various other specialists. This may be frightening at the time, especially for the people who are more in control of the outcome, but it is extremely rewarding and satisfying going through the organizational process and seeing how all the pieces are put together. Very often, you will work on multiple projects at the time. The ability to adapt your schedule and try to solve some problems that may occur will always give the best results with the help of your teammates or colleagues.
Teamwork and collaboration go closely with your time management and critical thinking. In my profession, where there is often attention to details analyzing and with different trades involved, it is crucial to always consider multiple outcomes and try to be one step ahead. It is important to know that learning is a continuous process and making mistakes is a big part of it. Managing and preplanning your time helps to deal with tight schedules and stress that can come with it. Your coworkers may help you in decision making process, but your individual effort in the teamwork is crucial for a success of the project. Organizing your time will help you focus more efficiently on multiple projects at the time, which is often required in this profession.
Eventually, it all comes to adaptability and learning. Every project is a unique experience, and it comes with their own demands. Over time, I gained experience to recognize the critical points in project development and work with my team members to prevent undesired outcomes. Even though every project is different by itself, I have learned to use my experience gained through one project onto the other one.
Milica
’s personal path
Tell us about your personal journey in
Architecture Fellow
:
My experience was mostly grounded in student exchange programs. I kept my grades high, always trying to do the best and do every project passionately. I was always looking for scholarships and opportunities to improve myself and was lucky to be able to apply to those programs. I started working while in my final year, but I chose a different path soon after that. I focused more on my personal life and raising my child. A couple of years later, I applied for a job that would change everything. I hadn’t graduated at the time, and I was so appreciative of the opportunity they gave me. I was able to focus on my family while still working on the job I liked. But I always knew the importance of education and I managed to graduate while I was still working. That was one of the biggest challenges I had in my career. At the time it seemed overwhelming, the most important was the support from my employer and my family and the ability to preplan my daily tasks. I would usually work on my final project for a couple of hours, and then help with the ongoing projects in the company. When you choose the work you love, it is important to keep your mind open, and always invest in your education, no matter how skilled you become in your current profession. My personal path was not in the order that I have ever imagined it would be but seeing my kid at graduation and working on the job I love at the same time, is something I am very proud of now.
What would you tell your younger you regarding building your current career?
Building relationships through internships is the best thing that may happen to someone. Your career will not be your focus at times, but all the things in your life will line up eventually and successfully overlap - so you will be able to keep track with the changes in your profession. Strong connections with people will be beneficial for your personal and career development even years later. Your passions and interests, even though not connected at first, will always be useful and will make you a better professional and a teammate.
Final thoughts & tips
When choosing your career, consider that you will go through constant changes. You do not have to know and have a clear path and vision of your professional outcome. If you do know and have desire for specific career, keep in mind that you will always be surprised. The only persistence is change. It can be a lot at the times, it can be fun, it can be just what you need to experience to know what is and what is not for you. You can always make a shift in your career and improve your skills in other areas. It is important to have an interest in whatever you do and to be passionate about it. That will always lead you to new opportunities and new experiences.
Resources to dig in more
Taschen
Taschen is the world’s leading art-book publisher, they produce innovative illustrated books on art architecture, design, lifestyle.
Domus
Domus is a magazine specialized for the world of design and art. You can browse through many articles and insights from architecture professionals.
IAESTE
The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience, you can find an internship that suits your needs and apply directly though their website.
Autodesk Community
Autodesk Community and Autodesk website in general can be helpful in finding tips and tricks and solving any drafting problems.
