Dyslexia Association 

What led you to your current career as a Architectural Technologist?
At school, I enjoyed design-based subjects along with studying sciences and history, pure engineering-based careers did not appeal as although the analytical approach to problem solving provided a definitive solution the careers did not offer a creative aspect that I enjoyed. Working in architecture offered the chance to take a design through from conception to completion, working with multiple disciplines to meet the clients’ aspirations and needs. 

What are the highlights of your career so far? / Which aspects do you enjoy the most?
I lead a team of architects and architectural technologists delivering commercial, industrial and food process projects throughout the UK, this affords me variety in the day to day working. Although my role is although primarily office based, I get to attend site for meetings and inspections often multiple times a month. I work within an environment that offers real satisfaction in delivering a project, seeing a design progress from the initial enquiry, through the development of a brief and ultimately the construction of the finished building. Leading a team also means that I am responsible for mentoring and training of junior staff, seeing the growth of my colleague’s confidence and ability is one of †he biggest rewards that my position offers.

How has living with dyslexia shaped your life? Pros and Cons?
Dyslexia means I learn in a different way to other people. I often need to be given time to process what being taught rather than picking up something straight way, I need time to allow my subconscious brain to work on solutions.

I will often be unable to solve a problem at work, one of the most important lesions I learned about myself is to stop trying to force myself to solve a problem. If I leave it overnight and look at it with fresh eyes in the morning, I will be able to complete the task far quicker as my subconscious is working in the background. Dyslexia makes me see the world differently to others, this allows me to offer different perspectives and solutions to problem solving.

If you could go back in time and talk to yourself at Primary school, what would you tell your younger self?
Everybody progresses at a different pace, school is the formal element of education, we also learn from our experiences and in our daily lives. 

If you could talk to yourself as you started your G.C.S.E.s, what advice would you give to your younger self?
Academic qualifications offer one route into the workplace, GCSEs are a measure of your performance at 16 years old, although these are important, they should not be used as a yardstick to measure your ability and worth in the workplace for the entirety of your career. There are many routes to success in life, hard work ability and a desire to progress are far more important than any qualification.

What is the biggest obstacle that you have overcome?
Understanding that I am not the issue, it is ignorance and arrogance leading people to think because I cannot spell very well and my handwriting is often illegible that I am stupid.  

Was there a particular person who helped you?
My parents recognised that I struggled at school with learning, they were fortunate that they knew and educational psychologist who was able to assist in diagnosing dyslexia at primary school when the resources, support and assistance were not as readily available within the education system as they are now.

Do you have any advice for young people who are navigating life with dyslexia?
Believe in yourself, never be afraid to ask a question or for help if you do not understand something, the only stupid question is the one you did not ask.