Her Story
About Aruna
As an architect with more than 15 years of experience, I have built a diverse portfolio working across multiple countries and industries. I started my career working on residential buildings, then moved into industrial buildings, and eventually found my passion in the education sector about 10 years ago. Along the way, I gained unique experience in the oil and gas industry with Doosan Babcock, where I worked on thermal power plants in my capacity as an architect. I have worked in Canada, specifically Vancouver, and here in New York and New Jersey. Today, I serve as a capital project manager in the Institutional Organization and Planning Group at Rutgers State University, where I oversee construction management for a wide range of projects across five campuses. My work includes everything from small renovations to designing complex labs and research facilities from the ground up, with projects ranging from $500K to $20 million. I manage 10 to 15 projects simultaneously, each at different stages of their life cycle. My role involves coordinating with multiple stakeholders, contractors, and consultants, reviewing drawings, visiting sites, and ensuring projects are completed under budget, on time, and to the satisfaction of end users. I am also completing my Executive Master's of Business Administration this May, which I pursued while working full-time and raising two children. This program has opened my eyes to the business side of architecture and has taught me valuable lessons in communication, leadership, and bringing diverse teams together. I believe in continuous learning and growth, and I am working toward expanding into larger portfolio management roles that combine my technical expertise with business strategy.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Aruna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my determination and time management. It has been tough balancing my full-time work, a mandatory in-person executive MBA program for two years, and raising my two little children, but I believe we all have that capacity and capability. It's just that we need to first be determined at what we want to do, and second is to manage our time a little bit more wisely. It's exhausting, but in the end, trust me, the rewards are just wonderful. I also believe in continuous learning and not limiting myself. My MBA program led me to think differently and realize that I'm not going to limit myself to just designing, but I will see the business side of everything too. I try to balance everything because I'm a career-oriented woman trying to achieve my goals, but at the same time, my family is very, very important to me, and I want to make sure that in all this that I'm trying to achieve, they're not left behind.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received came from my former chief operating officer when I was struggling and trying to see what I had to do in my life. First, never say no to any job. Second, keep taking the most difficult projects that come your way. Don't try to get the most comfortable ones. Get the most difficult projects in your life and be visible. You will fall, you will make mistakes, you will be nervous, but that's all part of learning. And eventually, you will get there. Don't just analyze yourself at the beginning and think 'I will not be able to do it' or say no. Everybody can do it. Anyone can do it.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to anyone who aspires to lead a different life than usual people and wants to achieve a goal in their life or in this particular industry is: First, never say no to any job. Second, keep taking the most difficult projects that come your way. Don't try to get the most comfortable ones. Get the most difficult projects in your life and be visible. You will fall, you will make mistakes, you will be nervous, but that's all part of learning, and eventually you will get there. Don't just analyze yourself at the beginning thinking 'I will not be able to do it.' Everybody can do it. Anyone can do it. Don't say no to these things, and keep dreaming. Keep dreaming about your growth, your ambition. Don't just settle down and say 'I'm happy with my paychecks.' Keep growing, keep thinking, balance out your life well. Don't get driven away just by one thing. Keep trying, keep working hard, be disciplined. These are very basic things one should do.
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