Q&A: Alexandria Zahirniak

Alexandria Zahirniak, alumna, is one of the women featured as part of The Signal’s special #HawkHerStory issue, celebrating Women’s History Month. This special edition focuses on the stories and perspectives of the various women within the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) community.

Read The Signal’s Q&A with Zahirniak below and see the other Q&A’s conducted with students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni here.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, on both a personal and professional/educational level?

A: I have an AS in Natural Science, an AA in General Studies, and a BA in Studio Arts and a Minor in Art History. I have worked as a receptionist, a lab manager, a print assistant at a t-shirt print shop, an admin assistant at my church, am a youth and college pastor and will be gaining my certification in the Assembly of God later this year (this will allow me to marry people and other pastoral duties). I have a wonderful husband of 6 years and once we buy a house we hope to start our family. I love God, art, and pouring into young lives.

Q: Who are some women (real or fictional) you look up to most? Why?

A: Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. She always respects everyone no matter how they treat her or what their social or economic status. She also has a beautiful creative curiosity for the world. I love the pure love she exudes even when she is in hard times.

My pastor’s wife Melissa Kautz. She’s such a strong woman of God and has been an encourager and mentor for me the past four years. She has always pushed me to be a better person and have a deeper connection with God.

Q: What are some problems you anticipate/have encountered as a woman in your field?

A: As a female, there is always a potential for others to not take you seriously. We often think that this behavior only comes from older men, but I’ve had somewhat the opposite experience. In my first job, I was still a teenager, so this may have been from my age more than my gender, but my boss who was a woman in her 50’s insisted on calling me “little girl” and “Lexi” instead of my name “Alex” or “Alexandria.” Whether she intended it as a term of endearment or not, it was degrading. Also, she allowed her 20-30-year-old sons to constantly bother me while working. I never felt afraid because I was never alone with them, but it was an uncomfortable situation. I am a strong person and rarely fear people, they were more of a nuisance than anything. Aside from this first job, I’ve been blessed to have healthy work environments.

Q: What are three things you can’t live without?

A: God is the obvious choice, my husband, my cat. My phone, a hairbrush, and lotion – I have dry skin.

Q: What advice would you give to other women and young girls?

Never let someone take up space in your head! Things that people say about us can linger and bug us way after they have gone. We are worth so much more than we often believe. Know that who you are is good enough. This advice can really go for anyone, but girls often struggle with insecurities.

Q: Is there anything you would like our readers to know?

A: It’s ok to evolve and continue learning who you are. People have this absurd belief that we are supposed to decide what we are going to do for the rest of our lives in high school and never change from that. I have changed my degree major about 5 times because it is natural to change as you learn more about yourself.