Paula Cimionatto

I own my own architecture company and work as an architect of record. I also do consulting work for previous employers I've had throughout my career. My typical day varies greatly - sometimes I go to the field to measure spaces and meet with clients, sometimes I work on projects from a remote office that I share with somebody, and it's always a balance between field work and office work. What I can tell you is that the mom part is very structured - I have those times where I have to pick her up, come back home, stay with her, and work from home while managing my work schedule and deliverables. I've been in architecture for about 25 years, starting back in high school through an internship program. I worked my way through university, then spent time in Brazil doing residential work before returning to the US during the 2008 crisis. After getting my license while caring for my newborn daughter, I was able to open my own company about 10 years ago. It's not easy being by yourself without that stability of income, but I have the flexibility of doing my own time and schedule, being a mom, picking her up from school, and making up time later if I need. For me, it's more about that right now - things that money can't really buy.