Career Spotlight: Architectural Designer

Just because a person has cystic fibrosis doesn’t mean they can’t plan for and enjoy an interesting, fulfilling and challenging career. People with CF have virtually endless options available to them when it comes to the future. Improved therapies, better health education and a “can do” attitude are just a few of the ingredients that go into making life’s goals a reality.

Meet Amy—a 27 year old adult with cystic fibrosis. She is just one of many adults with who has answered the call to the work force. A full time architectural designer, she enjoys the challenge of using her computer skills to create architectural drawing to be included with construction permits. “I love my job,” she says. Rendering, which is creating color drawing by hand “is my absolute favorite thing.”

Like other adults who have to find a way to combine their creative passions and pursuits with the ever-present need to maintain good health. Amy’s work ethic and how she manages her workload stems largely from the skills she has utilized for managing life with cystic fibrosis. “With CF you must be very diligent and pay attention to the details” she explains. She recognizes that this is important not only for keeping on top of her health, but “with my job as well.”

Initially Amy was concerned about how to inform her employer about her disability. To her relief, she found her employer to be very accommodating to her needs as a CF patient. Her 8:30 to 5:30 schedule isn’t very physically demanding, but the projects that land on her desk often have sensitive deadlines that must be met. Nonetheless, “I’ve not had any problems with taking time off,” she explains. “We can come and go” for necessary doctor appointments. Her employer only requests that she adjust her schedule to make up any time missed for such things.

Some cystic fibrosis patients worry about their job security, especially if they must be hospitalized for a lengthy period. Time spent away from the office while on sick leave or disability cause a lot of worry and anxiety. Fortunately for Amy, her employer and her coworkers were supportive when she hit a rough patch with her health during the winter.

“I became sick and needed to go inpatient. I told my employer then [that I have cystic fibrosis]. They were very supportive and when I went back in less than 2 months later there were no issues [about job security].”

What does the future hold for Amy? She admits that her health isn’t as strong as she’d like it to be. When asked about how hard she plans to work in the future, she candidly shares “I am considering going part time this year.” She is hopeful that her health will improve once she takes a lighter schedule at work, and that she can work awhile longer before needing to leave work permanently.

Amy sets a positive example for younger patients who may be struggling with their disease. She keeps from focusing too much on herself by doing things to reach out to other members of the community who have chronic conditions. For example, she recently donated her beautiful, long hair to “Locks of Love” a charity that uses donated hair to make lovely wigs for cancer patients who have lot their hair from chemotherapy.

Her advice for others who may be interested in working in the field of architectural design? "Take some drafting classes and design classes at a local community college." She also recommends looking through design books, and encourages future architectural designers to "be prepared to work very hard in school."

Career Spotlight: Graphic Design

Kelly, a 32 year old with CF, is the founder and designer of her own graphic design studio. Using her artistic talent and technical know-how, she creates print collateral and web sites. Her job responsibilities and projects are multi-faceted, involving research, concept development, and management of freelance designers. By bringing all these elements together, she is able to present her clients with innovative design solutions.

The graphic design industry in today’s marketplace revolves around the computer. Kelly possesses a 4-year degree from an art school. Although she says her degree is certainly helpful, formal art training is not requisite for a career in graphic design. What’s more important than an educational background in the arts, is technical training on specific graphic design software.

Since most graphic design work is contractual or freelance, the work schedule tends to fluctuate. For Kelly, working from home enables her to have a flexible schedule. This is particularly accommodating when she needs to focus more on managing her health. Her clients are happy as long as she meets her project deadlines.

Most of her clients are very understanding of her unique situation. In a perfect world, all of her clients would be that patient. Kelly has learned not to let the “difficult” clients get in her way. Saying “no” to projects that overwhelm her, or letting a client go when they give her grief about being hospitalized are just part of life as CFer in the professional world.

Overall, Kelly enjoys her job. Here are her own words about her favorite aspects of her job:

I'd say: creative freedom, feeling like I'm needed, helping a company build their brand, and learning/ accomplishing goals/projects/new mediums, etc for myself. I feel like with everything I accomplish and progress on in my work, it all benefits my personal growth. I also love that I can cough all day without worrying that others hear me and wondering what they're thinking. I hate that and it stresses me out when I'm in an office setting.

Everything I create has a purpose, and has a life that people see or use. I feel like the energy and time I spend on projects is worth it and some things will be here when I move on. That's nice to know.

Just as with any job, there are downsides. Without an assistant designer to cover her when she’s out sick, Kelly occasionally feels the pressure mount. She says that she would be able to grow more in her field if she could reduce the stress a bit.

One thing that helps reduce her stress is knowing that she has a supportive and understanding boss. Kelly used to work in an office situation, so it was pretty difficult to go unnoticed when she had to be hospitalized.

Kelly’s goals for her future in the graphic design industry include developing reliable support staff. She hopes that adding part-time or full-time assistance would enable her studio to stay afloat when pulmonary exacerbations or other CF related “time outs” cut into her ability to handle a full schedule.

Her advice for those interested in a graphic design career is to “focus as much time on learning the right programs as you do learning business and personal relationship building.” Because so much of her work involves regular interaction with clients, good people skills are a must.

I Want to Hear About Your Job!

The world is seeing a new generation of people with cystic fibrosis—adults!

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry Annual Data and Report, 2005, nearly 50% of adults with CF are employed either full-time or part-time. Clearly, we are living fulfilling and productive lives. So what is it we’re doing?

Once a month, I will highlight a different individual who is out there in the workforce. If you have an interesting, unique, run-of-the-mill, or just plain boring job, I want to hear about it! Send me an email and I’ll send you the interview questions.

Submit a completed questionnaire by June 30^th, 2007 and you’ll be entered to win a $25 gift certificate for Amazon.com.

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Related Links:

CF In the Workplace (from CFF.org)