Her Story
About Anukriti
Anukriti Misra is a project manager with 6 years of experience in architecture. She earned her bachelor's degree in architecture from GGS IPU in India and is licensed there. After moving to the United States, she pursued a master's degree in architecture in Minnesota, completing two years of the program. She is now one exam away from finishing the six exams required for US licensure. In her role, Anukriti manages multiple projects, organizes priorities, collaborates with teams, and engages in design and production work. Her notable achievements include co-authoring a paper on community-centered design presented at an ACSA conference, designing buildings in Minnesota that have been constructed or are under construction, and receiving several awards. She values integrity and transparency in her professional and personal life and advises aspiring architects, especially women, to embrace the field despite its challenges, seek licensure, and prioritize fulfillment in their careers.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Anukriti
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think a lot of it comes down to staying curious and being willing to keep learning. I've never felt like I have all the answers, and that mindset has helped me grow with every project, challenge, and opportunity.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A professor told me to choose a path where I would be happy every day going into work and feel fulfilled, rather than focusing only on practicality. I took that path because I want to wake up happy and look forward to what I'm doing.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't let the fact that it's a male-dominated field make you question whether you belong. Trust me, you do. Speak up, trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to take up space. If you can, pursue licensure. It teaches you a lot, builds confidence, and opens doors. Most importantly, stay curious. Architecture is challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities is that architecture teaches you how to think across so many disciplines, which opens more doors than people realize. The biggest challenge is the transition from school to practice. You're no longer designing in a vacuum, you have to balance creativity with budgets, codes, clients, and construction. It takes time, but that's where you grow the most.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and honesty are the values I try to live by. I believe people appreciate transparency, even when the conversation is difficult. I also think kindness matters just as much. You can be driven and ambitious while still treating people with respect, and that's the kind of person I strive to be.
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