[Spanish Interview] Exploring Pathways in Architecture | Interview with Karina Esqueche

Sharing the journey of Karina Esqueche, a Peruvian Graduate of Architecture residing in Victoria.

Karina Esqueche - Peruvian Graduate of Architecture living in Victoria.

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"Everything we bring from Latin America is already enough (...) many of our skills are already strong and valuable."

This is the transcript of an interview recorded on 7 February 2025. The original video presents some audio issues; however, we have chosen to share it as its content remains highly valuable. We hope this transcript makes it easier to follow and enjoy.

In this interview, Karina Esqueche shares her honest and personal experience navigating the architecture industry in Australia, including the tools, resources, and opportunities available to those building their professional path.

In line with ACNC guidelines, we clarify that this publication is not promotional and does not serve commercial purposes. The mention of Co-Architecture appears solely within the context of Karina’s personal experience.

If you’d like to learn more about the program mentioned, you can visit:

👉 Co-Academy by Co-Architecture

We hope this interview inspires and supports more women, like Karina, who are navigating new professional pathways in Australia.

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Read the Transcript

The transcript of this interview is available in both Spanish and English. You can read the transcript in your preferred language below.

This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability.

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👉 English Version

Can you tell us about your background in architecture and what brought you to Australia?

My name is Karina Esqueche, and I’m from Peru. I worked in architecture for six years in my home country, across retail, residential, infrastructure, and education sectors. I decided to come to Australia because for a long time I had wanted to move to an English-speaking country, experience different cultures, and live new experiences. Since Peru had a Working Holiday agreement with Australia, I decided to come. I’ve been in Australia for approximately two years.

What motivated you to enrol in the Co-Architecture Academy course?

I had been looking for my first work experience in architecture in Australia; however, I noticed certain personal limitations that made me doubt my professional path. I wasn’t sure whether to continue in architecture or not, or if it was worth it.

Last year, I worked a lot on personal matters I needed to address, and right at the end of the year, the opportunity to enrol in this bootcamp came up. That’s why I decided to do it.

How would you describe the structure and approach of the course?

The course starts with a more motivational approach, focused on what each person is looking for. It doesn’t focus only on your pathway in architecture, but also on your personal journey.

At the end of the day, everyone in the course is either an interior designer or an architecture graduate, but that doesn’t mean we have to follow a very rigid path—life can take us in different directions.

At the beginning, they help you find your vocation and direction within architecture, considering your skills, experiences, and personal interests. Then, the course focuses on how the industry works in Australia: regulations, architecture studios, how they operate internally, the different project stages, and where we fit within each of them.

How was your experience with the mentors or instructors?

It was very good. They are people who really motivate you. They always want to help and are very kind. I feel that words matter a lot.

They constantly provide feedback, try to motivate you, and reassure you that things will gradually fall into place.

Was there any project or exercise that stood out to you?

There were two exercises in particular that I really liked. One was called the “genius zone diagram”, which doesn’t apply only to architecture, but to how your skills, desires, and values align in a specific point—that’s your genius zone, where each person stands out.

There were also practical exercises, such as 3D modelling of real Co-Architecture office spaces. I really enjoyed that combination of real and conceptual design.

What skills or tools did you learn that you found most useful for finding work in Australia?

One key focus of the course is networking—the ability to connect with people and not give up. Even if you’re shy, like me, it’s important to learn to keep trying.

Sometimes, if I get a “no” or no response, I tend to leave it there. But the course teaches you to keep going and not give up along the way.

How has this course helped you adapt to the Australian architecture industry ?

It made me realise that everything we bring from Latin America—or from wherever we come from—is already enough.

Many times, we think that when we arrive here, we don’t know anything and need to relearn everything, study much more. However, many of our skills are already strong and valuable. I realised that everything I had done in my home country adds value.

What challenges have you faced when looking for work in architecture in Australia?

The biggest challenge for me has been my visa, because my working rights are part-time, while most roles require full-time availability. I don’t see it as an absolute limitation, but it is definitely a challenge.

Even so, I believe it is still possible to find opportunities.

Did the course give you more confidence to overcome these challenges?

I feel that not enough is said about how working in an unhealthy environment can affect your confidence and self-esteem. It can have a strong impact on your personal life.

It took me time to come to terms with those experiences. This bootcamp helped me see that it is possible to work in a healthy environment.

How do you see your professional future in Australia?

I would like to have a calm and balanced work opportunity, without putting my wellbeing at risk. It has been a long journey reconnecting with architecture, and I feel this bootcamp has contributed to that.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling in Co-Architecture Academy?

Go in with an open mind. Not just thinking, “I’ll get a job and that’s it”, even though that’s an important goal.

The most important thing is yourself—discovering your path, your journey, and what you truly want. That process is the most valuable part.

Is there anything you wish you had known before starting the course?

I already knew someone who had done the course—a friend from Argentina. I contacted her to ask about her experience. In her case, the course was online, but for me it was in person, which was new, as it was the first time Co-Architecture offered it that way.

I didn’t really know what to expect from the in-person format, but it turned out to be a very positive surprise.

Any final message or reflection you’d like to share?

One thing I’ve learned is to say “yes” to opportunities. Sometimes I overthink before taking action, but life presents you with what you need to do.

The important thing is to take those opportunities, because you discover your path as you move forward.

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👉 Version en Español

¿Podrías contarnos un poco sobre tu trayectoria en arquitectura y qué te trajo a Australia?

Soy Karina Esqueche, soy de Perú. Trabajé seis años en arquitectura en mi país, en los sectores de retail, residencial, infraestructura y educación. Decidí venir a Australia porque desde hace mucho tiempo quería emigrar a un país de habla inglesa, quería probar otras culturas y vivir nuevas experiencias. Como Perú tenía convenio de Working Holiday con Australia, decidí venir. Llevo aproximadamente dos años en Australia.

¿Qué te motivó a inscribirte en el curso de Co- Academy ?

Había estado buscando mi primera experiencia laboral en arquitectura en Australia, sin embargo notaba ciertos límites personales que me hacían dudar mucho de mi camino profesional. No sabía si seguir en arquitectura o no, ni si valía la pena. Antes trabajé bastante en asuntos personales, durante el año pasado, y justo al terminar el año es cuando se dió la oportunidad de inscribirme en este bootcamp. Por eso decidí hacerlo.

¿Cómo describirías la estructura y el enfoque del curso?

El curso inicia con un enfoque más motivacional, centrado en lo que cada uno está buscando. No se enfoca únicamente en tu pathway en arquitectura, sino también en tu camino personal. Al final, todos en el curso somos interior designers o architecture graduates, pero no necesariamente debemos seguir un camino muy rígido: la vida puede llevarnos a diferentes caminos.

Entonces, al inicio nos ayudan a encontrar nuestra vocación y camino dentro de la arquitectura, considerando habilidades, experiencias y vocación de cada uno. Después, el curso se enfoca en mostrar cómo funciona la industria en Australia: normas, estudios de arquitectura, cómo trabajan internamente, las distintas fases del proyecto y dónde encajamos nosotros en cada una.

¿Cómo fue tu experiencia con los mentores o instructores del curso?

Fue bastante buena. Son personas que te motivan bastante. Siempre te quieren ayudar, son muy amables. Siento que las palabras importan mucho. Constantemente dan feedback, tratan de motivarte, y decirte que todo poco a poco va a ir dándose.

¿Hubo algún proyecto o ejercicio en particular que te marcara o que recuerdes con especial interés?

Hubieron dos ejercicios en particular que me gustaron. Uno se llamaba el “diagrama de la zona del genio”, que no aplica solo a arquitectura, sino a cómo se alinean tus habilidades, deseos y valores en un punto específico: esa es la zona del genio, algo en lo que cada persona destaca.

También hubo ejercicios prácticos, como el modelado 3D de oficinas reales de Co-Architecture. Esa parte de diseño real y conceptual también me gustó bastante.

¿Qué habilidades o herramientas aprendiste que consideras más útiles para buscar trabajo en Australia?

Una herramienta en la que se enfocan bastante es el networking: la habilidad de conectar con personas y no rendirse. Aunque uno sea tímido, como yo, es importante aprender a insistir. A veces si me dicen que no o no responden, simplemente lo dejo ahí; pero el curso te enseña a seguir intentando, y no desistir en el camino.

¿Cómo te ha ayudado este curso a adaptarte al mercado laboral australiano en arquitectura?

Me hizo darme cuenta de que todo lo que traemos de Latinoamérica, o del país del que vengamos, ya es suficiente. Muchas veces pensamos que, al venir aquí, no sabemos nada y que debemos reaprenderlo todo, estudiar mucho más. Sin embargo, muchas de nuestras habilidades ya son buenas y valiosas. Descubrí que todo lo que hice en mi país suma.

¿Qué desafíos has enfrentado al buscar trabajo en el área de arquitectura en Australia?

El mayor desafío para mí ha sido la visa, porque mis working rights son part time y la mayoría de empleadores busca disponibilidad full time. No creo que sea una limitante absoluta, pero sí un desafío. Aun así, siento que sí es posible encontrar oportunidades.

¿Crees que el curso te dio ventajas o confianza extra para superar esos desafíos?

Siento que poco se habla de cuánto afecta el haber trabajado en un ambiente laboral no sano, y cómo eso golpea la autoestima y la confianza. Puede llegar a afectar mucho la vida personal. A mí me tomó tiempo reconciliarme con eso, con lo que viví. Este bootcamp me ayudó a ver que sí es posible trabajar en un ambiente sano.

¿Cómo te imaginas tu futuro profesional aquí en Australia?

Me gustaría tener una oportunidad laboral tranquila, sin poner en riesgo mi bienestar. Ha sido un camino largo reconciliarme con la arquitectura, y siento que este bootcamp ha contribuido a eso.

¿Qué consejo le darías a alguien que esté considerando inscribirse en Co-Architecture Academy?

Ir con la mente abierta. No solo pensando “voy a conseguir un trabajo y ya”, aunque ese sea un objetivo importante. Lo más importante es uno mismo. Descubrir tu camino, tu trayectoria y lo que realmente quieres. Ese proceso es el más interesante.

¿Hay algo que te hubiera gustado saber antes de empezar el curso?

Ya conocía a alguien que lo había hecho, una amiga argentina. La contacté para preguntarle sobre su experiencia. En su caso, el curso fue virtual, y para mí fue presencial, lo cual era nuevo porque era la primera vez que Co-Architecture lo ofrecía así. Quizás no tenía idea de cómo sería el formato presencial, pero la sorpresa fue positiva.

¿Algún mensaje o reflexión que te gustaría compartir?

Algo que he aprendido es a decir “sí” a las oportunidades. A veces pienso demasiado antes de actuar, pero la vida pone delante de uno lo que tiene que hacer. Lo importante es tomar esas oportunidades, porque uno va descubriendo el camino mientras avanza.

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👩‍💼 Thank you Karina for this interview! Lets connect on Linkedin.

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