Tia Manolakas

Stephen Rankin Associates

Interview

HOW DID YOU FIRST DEVELOP AN INTEREST IN ARCHITECTURE?

Tia Manolakas was first introduced to the profession of architecture when an architect came and spoke to her second grade class. After this experience, her interest in architecture only grew.  As an adult, Tia feels very strongly about the importance of professionals speaking to students concerning different vocations.  "If someone hadn't taken the time to share his experience, I wouldn't have known about or become interested in architecture. Consequently she has spoken at numerous public schools about the profession of architecture.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT AS AN ARCHITECT SO FAR?

Tia Manolakas' favorite project has been the Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital (pictured).  "But I have a knack for interior work. it's mindless work for me,  and I enjoy doing it."  She also enjoys working with developers doing tenant build-outs as well as designing offices and lobbies.

BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCES, WHAT WORDS OF WISDOM CAN YOU OFFER TO WOMEN AND

PEOPLE OF COLOR IN ARCHITECTURE?

"Work hard, don't complain, and if you love it, there's no stopping you."  Tia says that architecture is a lot of work, usually doesn't pay enough, and is very rough in the beginning years.  "But it's such a great, exciting field to be in.  Everyone should do their best; race and gender should have nothing to do with it.  Do your best and you'll be rewarded.

TO WHAT EXTENT HAS YOUR GENDER HELPED OR HINDERED YOUR PROGRESS TOWARD YOUR

CAREER GOALS?

Tia's family was always supportive of her decision to become an architect, she was always encouraged and never held back in her choices.  She never felt hergender inhibited her in any sense, instead expressed her belief that being a woman has only helped.  Although she mentioned that while the developer side field is very male dominated, she never felt her gender was a disadvantage. "I don't get intimidated easily. I have never felt inferior, and I've never had anyone say anything negative to me.

HAVE YOU EVER FACED ANY DISCRIMINATION AS A STUDENT OR PRACTITIONER?

Tia revealed that the only discrimination she faced was while applying for a job. When she used her true name (Stamatia Manolakas) on her resume she found she wouldn't receive callbacks. She then sent out more resumes using her nickname "Tia."  The same firms that hadn't shown interest before were offering "Tia" positions. She inquired why she hadn't been called under the name of "Stamatia" and was told that because of her ambiguous name, the employers were not sure if she spoke English, or if she was even male or female.

COMPARED WITH THE "TYPICAL" WHITE MALE IN THE FIELD, HOW SATISFIED HAVE YOU BEEN WITH YOUR OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTION AND LEVEL OF RECOGNITION IN THE FIELD?

Tia believes that her opportunities for advancement and recognition have not been influenced by her gender.  Her firm was very accommodating when she had her children: they set her up with a computer, fax machine, and modem so she could work out of her home and be with her children.  She tends to stay away from groups that segregate women and give them special assistance or attention, because she never needed to receive such help.  Although Tia does believe in affirmative action, she believes women aren't discriminated against as much as other minorities.  "As little as ten years ago, some firms would still not hire African Americans.  But it's still unfair to work for someone who had to hire you, because you'll never get the respect you want."   She also expressed concern for white males as more and more jobs go to women and minorities as firms need to fill quotas, often times even if they have less credentials.

HOW DO YOU SUGGEST WOMEN OR PEOPLE OF COLOR BATTLE DISCRIMINATION IN

ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE AND EDUCATION?

As far as discrimination in being denied promotions or certain projects, Tia suggested "If it's happened several times, go find another job.  If you feel like you're fighting a losing battle, go somewhere else."  Although there are many firms that are biased in hiring and distributing projects to employees, there are just as many firms that will not discriminate and will be able to look beyond gender and race.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING ARCHITECTS?  DOES GENDER OR RACE EVER IMPACT YOUR DECISIONS?

Tia believes that gender or race are not important in the field, but how hard you work is the defining factor in how successful you'll be.  When hiring, she is never biased and believes "not only do you have to be intelligent, but also sociable and adaptable as well."  She attributes her acceptance of other races and ethnic groups to her year spent in Vienna and Greece.  Her years in college were very diverse and helped her become more accepting of others. "When I was younger, I thought everyone was either Greek or Jewish. but now I have seen how others live, and I can compare.  Exposure is very important, and also part of the reason I have such ethnic and racial tolerance when hiring.

IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE FIELD, WHAT TYPE OF INFORMATION DO WE NEED, OR WHAT KIND OF ISSUES SHOULD WE BE ADDRESSING?

"It has absolutely nothing to do with the field.  It's how you raise children. "  Tia believes that parents need to be actively involved in school and to encourage their children to attend college.  "If you're told by your parents that you'll do nothing, or if you're expected to do nothing, that's what you'll end up with.   

Profile:

 At the young age of twenty-seven, she was made a partner at Stephen Rankin Associates. Here she has worked on a great number and variety of projects, two of which are featured here; the Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital in Chicago and the interiors of 21st Century Telecom

also in Chicago.  More recently, Tia has been working out of her home following the births of her first two children and is currently on maternity leave expecting her third.

Education:

BSAS in 1989, University of Michigan

Words of advice

"Awareness is key."