Belinda Young

Principal, Project Architect, Project Manager

What is your educational background?

I have two undergraduate degrees from Stanford University, one in Human Biology and another in Urban Studies. I have a Master of Architecture degree from Yale University.

How long have you been in the construction industry?

I have been an architect for 23 years.

What is your current job role or title?

I am a Principal and perform the role of Project Architect and/or Project Manager depending on the project.

What led you down the path to the construction industry?

Early in my career I had the fortune of working on a project from design through construction. It was a 425,000SF corporate headquarters including office, retail, garage, and landscape. I learned early on what types of drawings and details were useful to construct from, and which were never referenced. I learned how to solve problems collaboratively with the builder on the spot, and how to improve constructability or cost while keeping design intent. I really enjoyed my time in the construction trailer and in the field, and to this day I enjoy being in construction boots rather than in heels.

Who inspired you to choose a career in construction?

I credit my 6th grade drafting teacher for inspiring me to go into architecture. From his class I learned how to draw plans, sections, and elevations of a wrench, and won a prize at the California State Fair for a really simple dream house. I really enjoyed being creative and technical at the same time and thought that being an architect would be that perfect combination of art and engineering. In college I was somewhat pressured into pursuing pre-med, as that was considered a more predictable and secure profession. Nevertheless, I went back to my initial passion and pursued a graduate degree in architecture instead.

The number of women in the construction industry is continually growing. What do you think are some of the advantages of being a woman in the construction industry?

Twenty years ago, I didn’t see too many women in the trades or in construction. There were a couple of female engineers, but most of my interactions were with men. I would still say that’s still the case now, although I do see more women in the field, in business development, and in design manager roles. Instead of feeling intimidated, I like being the one that can bring a different perspective to the table and foster a collaborative culture between parties. I think women can be more empathetic and consensus-building, which is helpful when bridging diverse points of view. I have been fortunate to have worked with teams that are respectful of women and have always felt heard and acknowledged for my contributions.

There are some challenges that come with working as a woman in construction. What challenges do you face as a woman in construction?

Because the construction industry is male dominated, there is still a boy’s club and culture that is hard to break into. I’m not sure I would want to join either, but there is something to be said about building relationships outside of work that is invaluable. And of course, there’s the age-old dilemma of how to balance a profession and family. I was fortunate enough to fit both, by having my firm’s support at every step of my career. I was able to work part-time while my kids were young, and I was trusted with the flexibility to manage my time to fulfill both project and life commitments. I am very thankful that I didn’t have to give up my career as an architect in order to be a mother, and I hope that my children and other women can see that it’s possible to have a successful career and family.

The construction industry is embracing the advancement of women. What advice would you give a woman entering the industry now?

I would encourage young women to join the industry and find mentors that can be a source of inspiration and help them understand what options there are for them. This is an industry that is certainly not off-limits and needs their insight and perspective.

How do you balance your personal and professional life? How do you manage the transition from your personal life and career?

Balancing a personal and professional life is not simple. It takes good management skills, prioritization, flexibility, adjusting expectations, sacrifice and help from others. I certainly felt guilty for not being at home with my kids when they were young and for not being able to attend a lot of school functions, but I was able to arrange my schedule so that I could go on field trips or be at special events. I relied on others to help with pick up and drop off so that I could work the full day. Even though my kids are grown and independent now, I continue to remind myself that when I’m home I need to be present with them and not be distracted by what I still need to tend to for work. On the flip side, when I was at work, I stayed focused and could be trusted to meet my commitments and be there for my team. This often meant that I turned my computer back on after everyone, including my husband, was asleep. However, it is important to maintain a healthy perspective and prioritize your personal life, to have the emotional and mental stamina needed to balance both career and family. I try to instill that understanding with my teams and reinforce the culture of being supportive not only in their careers but in their personal lives as well.