08/11/2024
Our Graduate Growth Program in action: Meet our newest architects!
Congratulations to Paulina and Hayden on becoming registered architects in Queensland! Their first-attempt success, especially considering English as a second language, is inspiring. We’re very proud to have them on our team here at PSC.
PSC is committed to nurturing and developing the next generation of design talent. Our Graduate Growth Program (GGP) offers a structured pathway for recent graduates, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the industry. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our graduates achieve these milestones.
Once the registration paperwork was received, we sat with these inspiring women to talk about their registration journey.
Meet Paulina
Originally from Poland, Paulina moved to Australia 12 years ago. Having completed a Diploma of Architecture in her home country (Poland) and gaining experience with firms in Poland, Ireland and England, Paulina embarked on a new chapter in Australia. After successfully navigating the recognition process with the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), Paulina continued to grow her skills and experience and made the decision in 2023 that it was time to get registered.
When asked what the hardest part was of getting registered, Paulina said “Balancing the demands of family, work, and study was a significant hurdle.” Her advice to aspiring architects is to ensure you have ample practical experience and confidence in your knowledge.
Despite the challenges of being a mother of two children and English as a second language, Paulina’s determination and hard work has seen her successful in achieving this career milestone. Currently, Paulina is actively involved in several healthcare projects with PSC. As our residential portfolio expands, she looks forward to the opportunity to grow her talents in residential design.
Meet Hayden
Having moved to Australia from Vietnam 14 years ago, Hayden completed her Masters of Architecture in QLD. A famous quote from Zaha Hadid can be seen from Hayden’s desk “If you want an easy life don’t be an architect” This sentiment clearly resonated with Hayden as she embarked on the challenging registration process.
“I started the log book in January and that took about six month to complete, the Statement of Practical Experience was stressful and there was a lot of back and forth with the GGP mentors to build on my experience and make sure nothing was missed. The exam was also demanding, encompassing a wide range of architectural knowledge and finally, the interview, which really tested my knowledge.”
Hayden emphasized the importance of humility and a willingness to learn from peers, as well as putting aside one’s own ego when receiving criticisms, which comes from an ancient Chinese philosopher “He who comes to you with censure is your teacher; he who comes with approbation is your friend; but he who flatters you is your enemy.” (Xunzi) She also acknowledged the sacrifices required during the process. “Balancing work, study, and personal life can be challenging. Often, weekends are spent catching up, you have to just concentrate on your goal.”
When asked about her long-term career goals, Hayden expressed excitement about the future. She sees this as the beginning of a new journey and aspires to make significant contributions to Australian architecture, drawing inspiration from her cultural heritage.