I decided to take an architecture class a few years back. I am a tall blond beautiful female and found the men in the class not taking me serious... not even the teacher, who was also male. I was so discouraged that after the class was through, I decided to switch over to decorating... should I be discouraged? Or should I wait until I am older to gain respect from the opposite sex in the world of architecture?

You gain respect not by age but by results.

How old are you?

Of course there are female architects, I know several. My best friend's husband works for one! You will need to prove yourself, just as anyone else. If you feel your teacher is not taking you serious - then ask for a meeting with him and discuss your concerns. Whatever you do, DO NOT change to decorating.

Thanks for the encouragement. I really feel like I have a lot to offer to a company and will try not to hide in a box... when the time is right, I will pursue my architecture degree again.

I would suggest following what your heart says and pursuing your dreams. You have already indicated to me in another thread that one of the things that you are good at is pencil drawing. If you would like, I will be glad to introduce you to those who have pursued an artistic endeavor as a career.

Just have a look at Julia Morgan and Zaha Hadid and you'll see there have been female architects around for a long time and there still are now!

Don't let other people's preconceptions harm your dreams!

This type of behavior is often seen in offices and companies but also present in colleges. Things change as the time passes and you will see the persons ignoring you might be admiring you one day. Even my real niece is doing 3rd year architecture. Nothing is limited to males or females.Secondly you can prove yourself by your results as already been told above.

Don't worry if they're not serious about you. I've seen woman architects too. So it doesn't matter if you are a man or woman as long as you know u can do it. So carry on doing what you want to do.

my wife is a tall, beautiful woman who works in a male dominated manufacturing field. On a recent trip to europe, she wanted just once to not to be the first one to walk through the door... as the men before her waited for her to pass while holding the door for her.

yes... its nice to be kind... but she spent 10 days seeing women in positions that always seemed to involve bringing coffee to men.

so... my point is it can be done. Do you have it in you? I really hope so. My wife directs a manufacturing facility in a field that is no less than 10x as populated with men in equal or higher positions. So what?

if architecture is your dream, follow it. Understand even jerks and a$$holes can teach you something now and then... take the good... throw away the noise.

my wife might even say being a competent, beautiful woman in a male dominated field can have some advantages. While they are looking at your body, you can kick them in the throat with your boots. She's done it more than once. Never once has she lamented trying to run with the boys. At this point, the only thing she hasn't done is become the president of the company...

tick, tock...