Architecture is a cyclical industry, notorious for its peaks and troughs. Jaslyn Ng has a number of gaps in her career line, representing maternity leave and redundancies, each one an opportunity for fresh perspectives and personal growth.
If I were to draw a line representing my career, it would look like this:
I ride the great financial wave along with my personal life choices. Sometimes, I ride the wave and thrive; other times, I get caught in the undertow. Those moments beneath the surface can feel overwhelming.
Over my 20-year career as an architect, I’ve faced three redundancies and one maternity break. These layoffs weren’t about my performance but rather a reflection of the financial struggles many businesses faced during tough times.
The first redundancy was emotionally challenging. I was a young graduate, but I was fortunate to secure another job quickly. Just one month into my new role, I received news that I passed my registration exam from ARBV. Finally, I could call myself an architect.
After my maternity leave, I returned to architecture with a fresh perspective, but re-entering the workforce proved difficult. Unlike when I first started, securing a job was no easy feat. After several setbacks, I realised I needed to make my CV stand out. That’s when a teaching opportunity came along. I seized it and honed my public speaking skills. Through motherhood and teaching, I gained valuable time management abilities and developed deeper empathy for the younger generation.
The second redundancy hit during the pandemic when the job market was at its lowest point. Competition for roles was fierce, and I was disheartened. But I didn’t give up. I took the time to reflect, regroup, and dive into new ideas. My thoughts were disorganised – like fragments of lines and text floating in the air. I struggled to organise them into a conventional essay. Eventually, I transformed these scattered ideas into drawings, and that’s when ISOscape came to life. Now, I have a voice.
With all the lessons I’ve learned, I am determined to avoid this situation again. I understand now that visibility and networking are crucial in the sea of talents. I stay updated on industry events and literature, constantly upskilling myself. And yet, here I am, facing my third redundancy. The question is, what will I do differently this time?
This time, I feel more grounded. It is another opportunity to reinvent myself. I reflect on my experiences and focus on scaling what worked for me before. I firmly believe that failure doesn’t define who you are – how you respond does.
The gaps in my CV aren’t empty spaces. They are milestones marking my growth. With each gap, I have come back stronger, building even more momentum. They’ve become marks of progress, a shiny badge I wear with pride.
Jaslyn Ng is a Chinese-Malaysian-born registered architect, architectural illustrator, and a devoted mother with over 20 years of experience in health, education, and public projects across Australia and Asia. Jaslyn is passionate about architectural illustrations and storytelling, combining her creative skills to foster diversity and wellbeing. She is a published contributor and was recently featured in Architect Victoria for Migration Women Architecture.
