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Class of 1977, On the Internet: Sandrine (Tézé) LimalHaving it All... and Giving it Up, by Margaret Milan for Paris PWNFROM: European Professional Women’s Network – Paris<< For many of us, Sandrine Tézé was the dream role model. Mother of four, partner at Bain with a part-time schedule... she had it all. Then in June 2001, she left that behind to study architecture. We just had to know why... You sense in Sandrine Tézé an incredibly passionate person: someone who knows what she wants and makes sure she gets it. She explains that architecture was always her ideal profession, but as a student it seemed an impossible dream: to be a top architect, you needed to be an engineer, and the long years of study seemed incompatible with having a family. "I've been helping companies create shareholder value for twenty years, yet what I really want to do is landscape architecture. Over the past three years, I became increasingly detached from what I was doing on a day-to-day basis". Two Decades in Consulting So Sandrine started out with Bain and stayed there for almost 20 years. "The flexible schedule worked out well at Bain because the business is suited to it: it just meant taking on fewer clients." Until they knew her well, clients didn't even realise she was on a part-time schedule. "You do have to fight to keep the 'off-days' free. If a colleague called with a subject that could wait till Tuesday, I gave him pretty short shrift !" Sandrine took time out for each of her children: "since it's going to make a break in your career, you may as well take a decent break!" Sandrine's multi-cultural background meant she travelled a lot on international cases, but the intellectual buzz of the profession tempted her back even after a two year break for her third child. Facing Forty But as she reached 40, the pull became irresistible. "I've been helping companies create shareholder value for twenty years, yet what I really want to do is landscape architecture. Over the past three years, I became increasingly detached from what I was doing on a day-to-day basis". But how to take the plunge, when you have worked out such an ideal professional situation, when you're earning a comfortable living, and when your spouse and family are quite happy with the status quo ? "There were two signs that helped me make the move. First of all, L'école d'Architecture de Paris Malaquais at the Beaux Arts offered me a place in fourth year, meaning I could qualify in three years instead of six. Second, the consulting industry was slowing as recession hit. In an officer's meeting in spring 2001, the senior partner suggested (in jest?) that he was open to requests for sabbaticals". So Sandrine made the move, signed up for architecture school... and has never worked so hard. "I had to master the software for designing and making plans. The other students already had three years experience which I had to catch up on in six weeks". The school is interested in attracting unusual profiles and has provided strong support to Sandrine. In return she is able to bring her experience to help other students, particularly to hone their presentation skills. Mixed Reactions How did family, friends and colleagues react to her move ? "Eighty percent supportive, 10% sceptical and 10% downright negative. As I spoke to most people, I could see them mentally living out their own dream". And although her younger children are delighted that she is home more, especially during the vacations, her adolescents are not quite so sure... "I'm living in a different world, it's as if I have a new pair of eyes. Up to now, everything I learned had to be immediately useful : now, I'm looking at Renaissance art and contemporary architecture for the beauty of it without worrying about budgets... budgeting only comes in year six!" You can't help feeling that this is a story to watch. When a left brain consultant meets a right brain architect, who knows what's under construction? >> SOURCE: http://www.parispwn.net/lunches/p_ev_teze.html |
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