It is terrible to be thrown right out of architecture school into the real world. As you leave architecture school and join the workforce, there are so many things that you do not know. You might ask questions like ‘Where should I go to the firm?’ or ‘Do I know enough to be working on a project that will be built?’ Do not worry; this is normal. Sooner or later, every one of us comes to the point in life when we must go from school to work. For assignments, you can order a write my essay for me service. Below is a list of some of the things that one needs to do to become a successful young architect.
Don’t Rush Things
Expect things to take you twice as long. Period. Give yourself more time for a task than you estimate it will take to be done. It will take at least twice as long as you first imagine it. This just happens. It may get better with time and practice, but it always costs you more time at the start. No matter if it is a new piece of knowledge, a new skill, or any other tasks interfering, tasks always take longer to complete. Yet, when you get to complete it early, it feels better than finishing it late. As a rule, somebody else is expecting something from you when you are, say, going to do it, so save your face and that of others.
Make Yourself Valuable and Create a Portfolio
Becoming a respected and successful architect is a long and arduous process; it is not without its struggles and may, at certain times, involve questioning one’s abilities. It is important to remember that not a single successful architect around the globe would be able to boast of projects that have not been questioned – or flatly denied. It happens. But with time, you come to terms with the fact that there is no such thing as failure; there are only lessons to be learned. Difficulties will arise from time to time, and these are all part of the architect’s experience.
A portfolio is and will always be your best assistant on your work path. From the moment you start your journey towards getting your first job to the time when you have to bid for a high-profile tender – it is a great tool. It should be presented as a work of art in itself, and there should not be a tendency to show all the work, only the best. Leave them wanting more. Illustrate flexibility in the design, but only with several four or five different projects’ designs.
Network and Connect
Architecture, as we know, is like any other sector or industry business; talent and creativity aside, it is a business of relationships. Talk to as many people as possible, and maintain contact with all the people you meet. Schedule lunches with people in the industry, occasionally email people in the industry, and befriend as many people as possible in the industry.
It is crucial to be seen as someone friendly, receptive, honest, and accessible – and this is where the value of gaining recognition as such cannot be overstated. However, thousands of qualified architects are in search of the same job as you, but are they fit to work with? It may very well be that your interpersonal skills are what will tip the balance in your favor.
Architecture is indeed a service business, and your capacity to deliver excellent service will depend on the strength of your network. You will be surprised at the many opportunities that a strong network will create for your job. And don’t burn bridges! Meet all the people in the Architecture profession and related fields of practice regardless of age and years of experience. Do not despise the benefits of membership in AIA and the ability to communicate with other people.
Prepare for the Tough Years
Patience and what can be described as a very definitive tenacity will help you through what can be described as early professional childhood. First, they are often mistaken for something like ‘the job of their dreams is already secured’ – and here the troubles start. You will be earning your crust in those first few months and years, but where there is passion and desire to do even the most menial jobs, a good manager cannot help but take notice.
An architect is not only a designer or drafter but even a visualizer. You might be engaged in project or office administration, specifications, contracts, client interface or sales, or even construction. Where you are, be in a position to wake up to attack tomorrow with positivity that will make your potential conspicuous.
Do Not Focus on One Thing Only Initially
Get as much exposure as you can early on in your professional life. Be a polymath architect – get a comprehensive picture of what an architect does. If your real interest is only in the façade design, you can do that later. A vast knowledge base makes you much more competitive because now the practices view flexibility as one of the major traits of the candidates.
Find a Mentor
If you can be so privileged to find talented and experienced architects and engineers willing to take time out of their busy schedules to offer advice and guidance to young and inexperienced graduates, reach out to them. Look for someone with some of the skills you wish you had in the future. Surprisingly, other architects have the most impact on others: They are, in fact, the primary agents of architectural influence. Sourcing for a role model that guides you into growing, believing in you, and giving you counsel. As is well known, there always stands behind every successful architect another successful architect.
The architects need to realize that the outcome of their work will reach thousands, if not millions, of people in the years to come. Architects must also realize that they are held responsible for a lot of the future structural health of the building and, as a consequence, the safety of the inhabitants. So, the good architect has something that can be described as a perfectionist inside them.
