I think architects are like snowflakes. Not because they are delicate, but because each is unique and (it frequently seems to be the case) that external conditions need to be perfect in order for them to properly thrive. Of course, if you want to know what those external conditions are, I can’t tell you – they’ll be different for every single person … just like a snowflake.
This is an analogy that has been floating around in my head for a while and during the process of responding to the latest student email I received, what I have been thinking about sort of fell in place. The vast majority of emails I receive from young people who want to be architects, architecture students, or young architectural professionals, and they almost always start off in the same way. They feel the need to regale me with their personal circumstances in an effort to set the mood for their question. The truth is, almost everybody has some version of the same back story, and over the last few years of reading this same back story over and over again, I started thinking (and who could blame me) that we architects are not as unique and special as we like to think we are. As of late, my thinking on this has started to evolve and I’ve come to realize is that I’ve been looking at this the wrong way (please note the time and date … I have just publicly admitted I was wrong). I have been looking at this from a fixed point looking back at the journey people make when deciding to become an architect. What I should have been doing, is looking at this as a fixed point starting from the moment people actually become an architect and look forward.
The field of architecture can be extremely rewarding but it does not seem to reward those with indifference towards the profession. I really dislike forwarding the notion that you must have passion about this profession in order to succeed and find happiness, but in my experience, this almost always seems to be the case. Since the practice of architecture is so varied, it is quite possible that what you have been exposed to does not represent the type of work you might eventually discover as your passion. I know from my time working that the things that bring me the greatest joy were items that weren’t even on my radar screen when I was in school. One thing that few young people realize is that once an architecture student has graduated, they will continue to evolve and grow as they become exposed to new thoughts and ideas, and they will be influenced by the places they work, the type of work in which they focus, and the people they surround themselves. If you are struggling to find your place, or look around you at the people who seem to move effortlessly through their work, don’t let that fundamental change who you are – eventually you will hopefully discover what makes your perspective and talents unique and you will have positioned yourself to take advantage of the opportunity when it presents itself.
“Let your work speak for what you believe and love. Soar, my boy, and be bold and fearless, and the world will never forget you.”
Andrea Del Verrocchio, Da Vinci’s Demons
For most people, their job is an end to a mean and the thrill associated the achieving a goal has nothing to do with the journey. In this regard, architects are somewhat unique. From day one – on your first day working – you might get to do something amazing. Sometimes it’s a matter of perspective, what seems amazing to you would not be amazing to one of your coworkers who is a bit further along in their career. For anyone in any job or profession, getting to do what we want is a luxury; and most toil away doing a task that might not normally motivate or inspire us.
I’ll leave you with words of wisdom from my father:
“You go to college to learn how to learn.” It isn’t until you start working does your journey to becoming an architect really begin. After that, anything is possible.
Cheers,
Leave a Reply
After speaking with many high school students, I find they often are afraid to pick the “wrong major”. Oh, if it were so easy that the major we select would lead to a specific path with no need to make future choices! Stories about the many paths you may take beyond a degree have helped many students see the value in this great study in problem solving.
I have a feeling there are more learning messages still coming from you, Bob. Thanks for another great post! Swing by Milwaukee on your next journey north, we have a great city, especially when the snow melts!
Im thinking about beconeing an architect
Good choice?
great choice
Great thoughts Bob!
Why am I not surprised that a few days in Wisconsin in the dead of winter results in an article incorporating snowflakes as metaphors!
Hope all is well!
the stillness and quiet of the area is clarifying to be sure.
I almost didn’t read this article, but I did and I’m glad. Like I said to my daughter in not so eloquent words as your father, “there’s no such thing as a bad degree”. I think professors are probably surprised by the twists and turns that their students make over the years, or maybe they aren’t, lol!
what do you mean “almost”??
Actually that was “alost”, it was the phrase, “let your work speak for what you beleive” and to be quite frank, I was worried about how my work is not always what I wanted it to be 🙂
you’ve alost me … not familiar with that word so I looked it up and came up empty.
No, it was my typo!!!
funny how certain comments stick with us and continue to shape our decision making process.
Evolution is one of the greatest things about this profession – that and you can actually shape who you want to be through your work. I suppose it always comes down to your own personal set of principles but even when you are working on “someone” else’s project, you are going to have an impact on it in some measurable manner. Sometimes it takes a while to figure that out.
In your comments to Lee and Kerry and your first 10 years there is one thing that is important. Whether as a teacher, co-worker, or employer it is to help everyone to sync up their talents with the job at hand, which in turn fires up their passion and capacity to learn and grow.
I know you tend to write less editorials and more informative posts, but this contains an encouraging and educational message. It’s certainly a softer, but more intelligent and articulate way of sharing needed wisdom. Hopefully this type of writing effects more change in our profession than the easy to write rant. I’ve been guilty of both but aspire to the former.
I used to have far more editorial posts but after 5 years, I think I’ve told all the learning stories I can think of … at least until someone brings up something new and I recognize it as an opportunity to share on site.
I hope that there’s an encouraging message to walk away with here – I hear far too often that someone thinks they aren’t suited or this profession for one reason or another and it’s possible that they give up and walk away. I don’t think it takes all that much encouragement to simply show people that there is a role for just about everyone – it’s just a matter of finding where your skills and interests intersect.
38 years in one place is so remarkable – congratulations on that! This also puts you in a unique position to reflect on how one’s career evolves since your job/employer did not change. I think it’s rather amazing to know now what I had no chance at even guessing from the time I graduated from school. Unlike you, I changed employers and market sectors fairly regularly for the first 10 years of my career and it wasn’t until later that I think I found something that I truly enjoy (which most likely contributed to the frequency of job changes).
I hope that I’m still being challenged after remaining in my current role for 38 years!
I was fortunate to land at a place early in my career where I was challenged and given ample opportunity. Most of the opportunities one gets are not gift wrapped. you have to be able to recognize the opportunity and take the initiative to grasp it, move it forward and embrace the challenge.