Influential Woman · Design

Sarah Hayes

Columbia, NC

1Award received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's in Interior Architecture from UNC Greensboro Degree Master's of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture from UNC Greensboro Degree Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Historic Preservation from UNC Greensboro Cert LEED Green Associate

Her Story

About Sarah

Originally from Winston-Salem, NC, I've recently moved towards the Outer Banks of NC. I've always enjoyed art, theatre, building things, and caring for animals. I started studying scenic design when I graduated high school in 2015 and have developed these passions into my current work in the design and construction field . A typical day for me varies, but for any project I work on, there's going to be a hefty amount of research, since I work with historic properties and museums, and these are very fact-based projects. Most of my design work at this time focuses on pre-design and schematic design work, ending before the construction phase. I would say my most notable professional achievement so far is my work with Davidson-Davie Community College, where one of my largest projects involved developing a theoretical design for a new educational facility for their zoo and aquarium science program.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Sarah

01What do you attribute your success to?

Determination

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Willingness to change things, and willingness to find answers when you think you're out of them.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Don't allow others or yourself to doubt your abilities.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Working mostly in the nonprofit sector, it's very difficult right now to find work and funding within those projects. But the nonprofit sector offers such a variety of enriching opportunities. People who work in the nonprofit sector do it because they love it, and it's always rewarding, no matter what project you work on, big or small.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Being creative, of course, is essential in the design field, but I think that's a valuable trait in any field. Being able to roll with the punches that you're given and move forward regardless is crucial to my personal success.

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