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lost Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 2	Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:57 am    Post subject: Career advice... First, i'm new here, so hello everyone! _____ I am a part 2 architect (having finished university last summer) and I am currently working in a small practice, and have now been here for almost 9 months. However as the time here passes I am becoming increasingly unhappy / disillusioned with architecture and my job, and am wondering if being an architect is what I really want to do in the long term. I struggled with my part 2 course (to be honest I was surprised I passed), and found it mentally very draining. It is difficult to know if I have recovered from this, and if not whether it is clouding my judgement, and deep down I still do want to be an architect. I am at a loss as to what to do. How do I know if I want to be an architect or not? The interest and enthusiasm I had when I first started has gone (or been lost somewhere), and truly don't know where I am heading careerwise. If I do want to carry on, what should I do to regain my interest in architecture? If not, what should I / can I do? what are my options? In the end I think I need to figure this out for myself, but any advice you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks Richard
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lekizz millennium club Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 1221 Location: UK	Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:41 pm    Post subject: Are you being given interesting work to do in your practice? Are they supportive? Inspiring? Maybe you need a change of scenery, depending on what the job market is like where you are. Or maybe a slight change of direction. Do you have any other pass times/vices that you can indulge yourself? Or just need a good holiday? BTW congrats on getting your Part 2 and getting a job.
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elisa kouloumenta Joined: 24 Sep 2006 Posts: 110 Location: greece	Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:16 pm    Post subject: you're probably too young to be so disappointed and bored. i think you should change work environment before it gets too late for you... _________________ elisa kouloumenta
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PALAVRA Joined: 20 Apr 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Ankara	Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:20 pm    Post subject: You are still in your second year. I can assure you that there is hardly a job out there which does not get abit tedious after a while which also earns you a good salary. I suggest that you be patient, finnish the degree you are doing. I'm sure things will get abit better for you.
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mx2 millennium club Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 1988 Location: Miami, Florida	Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 1:13 pm    Post subject: First, you must realize you're not unique in this...it's the most natural event that we all go thru, and MANY do not make it past this part. The best advice I can tell you is that it's all about perspective and just like in ANY profession, you have to do the crappy work before you earn your way up to the more enjoyable aspects. This is where I say it all depends truly on how much you do "love" architecture. I, personally, was never disillusioned...I was willing to sweep the floors in order to learn as much as I cxan about the ENTIRE process...and guess waht? I did... My first gig (during mid 90's recession) I could only land a job as a secretary in a firm and I did everything from making coffee, ordering coffee, and paying the invoice for the coffee (among everything else)...I soon oushed for a position of drafting, eventually leading to many, many projects and experience...I've worked every angle of the profession and such a wide variety of projects and never once batted an eye at the notion that I don' like the good and the bad of the profession. But it's quite common for some recent graduates to have an entirely false idea of what constitutes BECOMING an architect, as opposed to the odd concept that when one graduates that they are already architects. Like anything on this planet, if you really want something, you'll go for it. If you're not sure...well, what do you want us to say? Hope you figure out what you want to be when you grow up. I tell you though...it's a shame that you could have wasted your time in school... (hint, hint) mx2.5 _________________ *Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building. *Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building.
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lost Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 2	Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:52 am    Post subject: Thanks for the replies. lekizz wrote: Do you have any other pass times/vices that you can indulge yourself? Or just need a good holiday? I enjoy the outdoors (camping, hiking, cycling etc) and try to do this as often as I can, but recently time has been restrictive, and I guess this could have something to do with the 'mood' i'm in, however I found time this weekend to relax and enjoy myself - its amazing what a change of scenery, some good exercise and fresh air can do for you! I already feel happier. Like I said before I struggled with my part 2 course (apart from the dissertation, which I coped with well), and what I've realised is that if I didn't want to be an architect I'd have given up then. I think I'm just going through a 'rough' patch thats making me question myself, but no matter how many times I think about this, I come to the same conclusion - I'm still doing the right thing, and like my part 2, I just need to stick at it. mx2 wrote: But it's quite common for some recent graduates to have an entirely false idea of what constitutes BECOMING an architect I have always had a clear idea of what it takes to become an architect, I started off in 1st year at university knowing how much time, and effort would be needed to eventualy become an architect. lekizz wrote: BTW congrats on getting your Part 2 and getting a job. thanks!
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mx2 millennium club Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 1988 Location: Miami, Florida	Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 5:01 pm    Post subject: Quote: Quote: mx2 wrote: But it's quite common for some recent graduates to have an entirely false idea of what constitutes BECOMING an architect I have always had a clear idea of what it takes to become an architect, I started off in 1st year at university knowing how much time, and effort would be needed to eventualy become an architect. I don't think we're on the same page...I don't mean in terms of time, not even effort. In fact this may be the core of the issue. Of course we all know/knew what steps we needed to complete schooling and licensing and how grueling it was/is supposed to be. But then, when we finally have our license...was it simply time and effort? Do the time and make the deadlines? Hmm... One of the most common issues I've seen the youngbloods lose their minds over is simply dealing with the enormous stress...let alone ALL the other issues that one can only truly discover by experiencing it. I think of it as a life-long rite of passage where you finally achieve "it" when you're finally dead... mx2.5 _________________ *Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building. *Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building.
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