Sakshi Soni

I attribute much of my success to the unwavering support of my family and friends. Throughout my academic and professional journey, there were many moments when I doubted my abilities or questioned whether I was making the right decisions, especially when pursuing opportunities far from home and stepping into unfamiliar environments. During those times, the people around me encouraged me to keep moving forward, trust my choices, and embrace new directions with confidence. Their belief in me often came before my own, and that support gave me the strength to take risks, remain positive through challenges, and continue growing both personally and professionally.

The best career advice I have ever received came from my dad, who always told me that whatever happens is happening for a good reason. At first, it sounded simple, but over time it became something I genuinely relied on. There have been many moments when things did not work out the way I expected—applications, opportunities, and plans that I thought were meant for me. Instead of seeing those experiences as failures, I learned to view them as redirections toward something better suited for my path.

That mindset became especially important when I moved to the United States to continue my education. Leaving home, adapting to a new academic environment, and building a career in a different country came with uncertainty. Whenever I doubted myself, my family and friends reminded me to trust the process and keep moving forward. Looking back, many of the opportunities that shaped my journey came from paths I had never originally planned to take.

I also learned that growth does not happen alone. One of the biggest lessons I have learned in the U.S. is the value of networking and building relationships. It is still something I am learning, but the encouragement I received from my professors, colleagues, and cohort showed me that asking for help, making connections, and giving things time are all important parts of building a career. Together, these experiences have taught me to stay open to change, trust unexpected opportunities, and keep moving forward even when the next step is not entirely clear.

My advice to young women entering architecture, history, preservation, or any related field is to spend time understanding what you genuinely want from your career. We often feel pressured to get the first internship, the first job, or the first opportunity that comes our way because it feels like success is something that must be proven quickly. In reality, taking time to understand your interests, strengths, weaknesses, and long-term goals can be far more valuable.

One of the most important lessons I learned is that knowing what you do not want to do is just as important as knowing what you do want to do. It helps you focus your energy on opportunities that align with your goals instead of pursuing every option available. Before beginning my master's degree, I took time to reflect on my experiences and identify the aspects of architecture and history that genuinely excited me. That period of reflection shaped many of the decisions that followed.

I often see students worrying that they need to secure a job immediately to prove themselves. My advice is to slow down, give yourself room to think, and trust that your path does not need to look like anyone else's. Careers are built over time, and the opportunities that fit you best are often the ones that come after you have taken the time to understand yourself first.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is navigating the gap between academia and professional practice. Academic training often focuses on detailed research, theory, and specialized knowledge, while professional work requires collaboration, decision-making, communication with clients, and adapting to real-world constraints. The transition can be surprising because the skills needed to succeed in practice are often broader than what is emphasized in the classroom.

For me, another challenge has been navigating the profession as an international student and researcher. There are often uncertainties about visas, work authorization, opportunities, and long-term career paths that require constant planning and flexibility. At the same time, I see this as one of the greatest opportunities. Being in a new country and working across different cultural and professional environments has pushed me to take risks, adapt quickly, and remain open to unexpected opportunities. Many of the most meaningful experiences in my career have come from situations that initially felt uncertain.

I believe the greatest opportunity in architectural history and heritage today is the growing recognition that cultural heritage is not only about preserving buildings but also about understanding communities, histories, and lived experiences. This creates space for new voices, new research approaches, and more inclusive ways of thinking about the past and its relevance to the future.

The values that matter most to me are resilience, respect, responsibility, and time management. Resilience has been especially important throughout my journey because every stage of life brings new challenges, changing circumstances, and people with different perspectives. I believe growth comes from adapting to those situations while staying committed to your goals.

I also place a strong value on respecting time—both my own and that of others. As someone who often balances multiple responsibilities at once, I understand how valuable time is and how much effort people invest in their work, commitments, and relationships. Being punctual, prepared, and considerate of other people's time is, in my view, a fundamental part of being professional and respectful.

Finally, I believe in approaching decisions with patience and responsibility rather than rushing to conclusions. Whether working with history, heritage, research, or the built environment, our decisions can have a lasting impact on communities and future generations. For that reason, I value thoughtful decision-making, accountability, and the ability to remain calm when facing uncertainty. These principles guide both my professional work and my personal life.