Career building: Women and non-standard employment in architecture

Non-standard working arrangements are traditionally associated with insecure employment and thus said to act as a constraint on women architects' careers. The working patterns of 37 women architects have been examined using a career life history approach and findings indicate that to follow non-standard working patterns in professional employment need not necessarily serve to constrain and may even enhance women's career development. Many of the women architects following non-standard forms of employment find that it has been beneficial to their career. The recurring theme from these interviews was the need to be able to follow a career but on certain terms. The time commitment required prior to qualification provides a strong motivation to continue working throughout their working lives.