Power Women 2021: Emily Ferris
Architect/Partner, Sowell Architects
What’s your secret to success?
Listen first. To be a successful architect, I find it is important to listen to the client’s wants and needs before forming an opinion or coming to the table with preconceived notions. It is also important to listen and learn from the experiences of others in the industry. Sometimes, “what not to do” is just as important as “what to do.”
What attracted you to your career?
Since I was a young girl, I have always enjoyed drawing and creating things. I loved playing with Legos (and still do) and enjoyed drawing and dreaming of my future home. I love how architecture blends the art of creating with the precision and science of building and construction. It really is the perfect career for me.
How did you get started in your field?
I knew from about 8th grade on that I wanted to pursue architecture. After graduating from the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the UA, I immediately began working as an intern architect in Northwest Arkansas and began taking the next steps required to become a licensed architect.
What do you love best about what you do?
I love the day-to-day variety. Some days, I may be on a jobsite observing the latest project under construction. Other days, I may be in the office sketching and designing a new building. No two projects are the same, and I enjoy the excitement and anticipation of what is coming next. I also really enjoy walking through a building when construction is complete. It is such a gratifying experience to see an idea in your mind come to life in the form of a building.
What advice would you give to a young
woman starting her career?
Really take a look at yourself and your interests and talents. Find something that you are passionate about and that you can see yourself doing for the next 40-plus years. As they say, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
How did your education prepare you for your
career?
Becoming a licensed architect is a rigorous and lengthy process. It starts with a five-year professional degree at an accredited architecture school. Then, you are required to complete thousands of hours of internship experience while also passing six professional exams, called the ARE (Architect Registration Examination). My education at the Fay Jones School of Architecture really helped me sharpen my creative skills and prepared me for the complex problem solving that is involved in all facets of architecture.
Which of your accomplishments are you most proud?
I am proud to have been the valedictorian of my graduating class at the Fay Jones School of Architecture. I am also proud to now be a partner at Sowell Architects along with my husband, Cody, and the founder, Rik Sowell.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
This is tricky for me since I work alongside my husband on a daily basis. I find that home life and work life frequently overlap, and I’m OK with that. Our son loves coming up to the office, and he draws his own little building designs. Even in our spare time, Cody and I find ourselves sketching and redesigning different areas and rooms of our home. It is hard to escape your passion.
What obstacles have you had to overcome?
Architecture is traditionally a male-dominated field. The balance is almost now 50/50 men to women in a college undergrad setting, but the number of women in the profession has shown to fall off drastically as they progress in their career. When I was first starting out, being young and female and also being in a role to give direction to mostly male contractors twice my age certainly was an uncomfortable position to be in at times. Thankfully, I had an excellent female mentor who showed me the ropes and helped build my confidence.