We continue to tell about the wonderful girls of the Belarusian National Technical University. Today we learn the story of a student and chairperson of the student council of the Faculty of Construction, Maria Kraskovskaya. She chose a profession whose results last for decades, and today she confidently combines her studies, leadership of the student council, and plans for the future.
Maria was attracted to the profession by the opportunity to leave a mark in people's lives.
— This is not just a profession, it is a mark in the history of the city and in people's lives. Moreover, the construction sector today is not only a hard hat and a shovel, but modern technologies, 3D modeling, and digital solutions. I wanted to be part of this transformation and to create something real and tangible, not just work with abstract data.
In her family, everyone works in the construction industry. Her relatives helped her make the choice of her future profession.
— I was hooked by the opportunity to see the result. Not just to submit reports or write code that no one sees, but to design facilities that people will walk through. Once I saw an old abandoned building turn into a modern public space, and it amazed me. I realized that I want not just to observe this process, but to participate in it professionally.
She knew about the stereotype that construction is a "male territory," but it did not affect her decision.
— When I was applying, I was thinking not about who predominates in the profession, but about whether I myself could handle the workload and whether it would be interesting for me to study. Yes, there were many guys in the admissions committee, but I felt absolutely equal because I was going for knowledge, not to meet someone else's expectations.
— Why do you think more and more girls in Belarus are choosing construction majors today?
— I see several reasons. First, construction is becoming more technological and cleaner: the image of a dirty construction site is fading, BIM technologies and automation are appearing. Second, there is career growth and financial prospects in the industry, which attract ambitious girls. And third, I notice that girls are increasingly ceasing to focus on outdated gender templates and simply choose what they really like.
According to Maria, girls bring precision and attentiveness to the construction industry.
— I think that women are often more attentive to details and are better able to simultaneously keep many factors in mind — budget, deadlines, ergonomics, aesthetics. In construction, not only a power approach is important, but also the ability to negotiate with a large number of participants in the process. I think women intuitively do this well. We bring more flexibility and a systemic view of the project.
For her, being a BNTU student and chairperson of the faculty student council is not just a social status, but an opportunity for all-round development.
— Being a BNTU student and chairperson of the faculty student council for me means living in constant motion. On the one hand, I am getting a serious fundamental education; on the other, I am learning to be a leader, solve real organizational problems, and be responsible for people. For me, BNTU is a place where I can not only master a profession, but also try myself in management, public speaking, and defending students' interests. It is a double challenge, but it gives me enormous experience.
Maria did not join the student council immediately. In her first year, she led an active lifestyle, went to all events, and in the fall she was offered to become deputy chairperson.
Her first task was to shoot a video for a contest about a healthy lifestyle, in which the Faculty of Construction took second place. And at the end of the first year, she was offered to become chairperson, and she could not refuse, because she could no longer imagine herself without social life.
— What is harder for you: to understand a construction discipline or to organize the work of the student council?
— These are completely different kinds of difficulty. When I sit over strength of materials, I depend only on my own head and persistence — that is a challenge for my intellect. And when I organize the work of the student council, I depend on people, their mood, and their availability.
The secret of combining studies, leadership, and personal life, according to Maria, is simple — it is all about desire and planning.
— I plan everything a week ahead, sometimes by the hour. In the evening, when everyone is resting, I catch up on my studies or write event plans. I try to keep weekends for myself and my loved ones — that is my resource. Sometimes something slips, but I allow myself to make mistakes and not be perfect. The main thing is not to be afraid to delegate tasks in the student council, so as not to carry everything on myself.
Maria already sees her career path now.
— I definitely plan to work in my specialty. I want to start at a design institute — to get a good engineering foundation, to understand the technologies from the inside, but in the perspective of 5-7 years I see myself in project management. I am interested in being the link between drawings and the live construction process. I am not afraid to go to construction sites, but for now my interest is in analytics and coordination.
— What advice would you give to a female applicant who is afraid to go into the construction industry because of stereotypes?
— I would say: do not let other people's ideas about "male" decide your fate. Come for a tour, sit in on classes, talk to teachers — and you will see that here they value the mind, not gender. Yes, it will be difficult, and physical work on sites exists too. But you can always find your niche — from design to management. If you like to create and see the fruits of your labor, go ahead boldly. Stereotypes are broken by those who simply come and do their job.
Maria Kraskovskaya is an example of how engineering education at BNTU becomes a space for professional and personal growth, regardless of gender. She studies successfully, leads the student council, plans a career, and at the same time remains a person who inspires others by her example.
