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This Week We Feature Young Professional Shanika V. Fraser
Ms. Fraser, a product of the Enis Adams Primary School, has spent most of her academic life in the United States but returned home after completing an Associate and Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Building Engineering from the New England Institute of Technology.
She currently works as the Assistant Project Manager responsible for the Central Administrative Complex Air Quality Improvement Project, a job that she finds both intriguing and challenging.
According to Ms. Fraser, her main tasks are to plan, direct, review and provide technical advice on all initiatives that are required to bring the Central Administrative Complex Air- Quality Improvement Project to fruition.
“I also assist the Permanent Secretary in reviewing and prioritising all aspects of air quality,” Ms. Fraser said.
She is also responsible for assisting in the overall management of ensuring the removal and replacement of the existing Roofing Membrane, the Interior Remediation Project and the Railing and Handrail Retrofit project.
The young Virgin Islander, who describes herself as a tough cookie, says many would believe that the job is easy, but in retrospect, it is one of the hardest since any mistake would cost Government money.
Though she got the job in November 2010, Ms. Fraser admits that she has “matured a lot” in terms of making decisions and staying focused. She added, “Not everything gets rewarded immediately, but if you do good work you’re going to get rewarded sooner or later, have faith and keep work going.”
At the moment, she is executing the job of two persons because her boss is away from the office.
“To be honest many think I am green, but as I show my true colours they will be able to see my true potential,” she divulged, “my boss is amazed with my attitude. He says that I am very demanding domineering. I guess I have to be that way because I am considered to be young.”
But don’t be fooled, this young lady is no stranger to giving orders. Prior to taking up her new post, she supervised six persons while she worked as an Architect II at the Public Works Department (PWD).
“Now that was hard because they were guys, Computer Aid Designers (CAD), and I don’t think they really appreciated answering to a woman. But I survived for two years,” she said with a laugh.
She added, “After completing my BA I returned home in 2007 since I was on a scholarship, and that is where I was placed to work.”
During her stint there, Ms. Fraser prepared architectural plans, construction designs for several buildings on Road Town. Some of the projects she is most proud of are the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) building, the extension of the Magistrate’s Court and the Hospital Annex.
“I did the designs and the interior layout for the DMV building, the plans and 3D elevations for the Magistrate’s Court and the interior layout for the Annex,” the Young Professional explained.
So what made her decide to study Architecture?
“To be honest I was always fascinated with buildings when I was growing up. And Mr. Edwin Adams was our neighbour at Sage Mountain. I used to go over and watch him draw and that is what made me enter into that field. Even to this day, I still go over by his office and over see him drawing,” Ms. Fraser disclosed.
With her mantra, “don’t procrastinate”, Ms. Fraser has been able to juggle her Government job and still finds the time to complete jobs given to her by clients at Fraser Architectural & Design Studio which is based at her home.
“It is my own little business that I opened in 2008...I have someone else who works with me,” the young Virgin Islander proudly stated, “I have several designs for clients on Virgin Gorda and Tortola.”
“Why not make the most of life and pursue you goals? I am not married, I am only 26 so I guess now is the time to do the things I want to do,” she added, “It’s any young Architect’s dream to be able to take his or her client’s dream and make it a reality.”
The ambitious young lady has set herself to aim higher and has already begun studying for her Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in construction project management from the University of Wales in the United Kingdom, which she hopes to complete next year.
Ms. Fraser also holds a certificate in Safter’s Building Certification which is a Government criterion when considering an application for the trade license for the construction industry. She obtained this in 2010.
“Government also relies on courses such as these in the effort to standardise construction industry and enhance local capacity and reduce vulnerability to the effect of natural hazards. The courses included construction management, conducting site investigation, creating project and cost schedule and building requirements in the Virgin Islands and mitigation for natural hazards,” she explained.
She credits her determination to her parents, who according to her, instilled values to “me and my sister. They were always supportive in whatever we did.”
In light of this, Ms. Fraser is optimistic that with her family’s blessings, her business in the next few years will be a full fledge “architectural machine”.
“I also hope that I will be Project Manager,” she added with a laugh.
The humble young lady doesn’t see herself as a role model, but advises her generation: “To dream big and aim your goals towards the stars. You may not be able to reach them but for sure they will guide your way through a satisfying successful life.”
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