Graduated Architecture - Now What?

[@matydonatova7305]

I would argue that instead of aiming for starchitect names it is better to work in smaller practices with diverse clients and tasks. Pro points: 1/ you get more into process in every step of project development instead of being just cog in wheel. 2/ when you are in the process, you get into the people network =SUPER IMPORTANT, contractors, city administrators, media people, artists, photographers and so on and on. Architecture is really not only about the drawings. 3/ you are usually on speaking terms with bosses, later maybe with clients, which can be great later on when you leave, you can get clients reffered to you. And lastly I worked at civil engineer firm for about a year after graduation and I got practice in civil engineering. Moreover I get some clients from them because they don't do architectural designs but are asked about architect recommendation. And this job was really looked down upon by my peers... It wasn't flashy and interesting but my my was it worth it! Important thing is, to make the most out of everything and be little cheeky (not disrespectful). :)

[@Archimarathon]

100%

[@dmtgallardo]

Just graduated and currently watching this video exactly one week later. Thanks guys. i'll post an update in 1 year :)

[@Archimarathon]

Good luck

[@Kidozvideo]

Update? What are u doing now?

[@dmtgallardo]

@@Kidozvideo Hospital and Healthcare facilities design

[@Archimarathon]

Are you happy and learning a lot?

[@dmtgallardo]

@@Archimarathon Very happy and learning so much my brain is going to explode. Thank you for asking :)

[@mapout.studio]

I realized how good was to have been working on summers once I graduate. I totally agree with trying construction is something I've really enjoyed.

[@Archimarathon]

Well you are one of the architect/builder I can think of

[@evestrano9673]

Hi Guys, great ep. I worked during and straight after uni to get log book hours up and register, managed to get a bit of travel and uni overseas in. But the aim was to be able to architect (registered) whist having a family and on my own terms for work life balance. I totally agree with you that I'm glad I started early but I also wish I was could collaborate more with others. It's great watching you guys, it takes me back to when I fell in love with Architecture at uni- that can get lost when running a solo business! It is amazing to take my young kids overseas and explore beautiful buildings and cultures (backpacking but in apartments) with them now- it can be done.

[@yozhiworks]

thanks a lot for the valuable information! i feel a lot more confident now.

[@gabybordino6024]

Great episode! There are lots of things to do after graduation and so many things that architects would be good at. I think it’s important to keep learning and studying architecture. Always. When I was a student, I’ve bumped into a Louis Kahn’s quote that says that you can be an architect from overnight, but takes a lifetime to be the architect you aspire to be

[@Archimarathon]

Great quote

[@suffianshahabuddin113]

In Malaysia, when students graduate with their degree in architecture they achieve their Part 2. After a while they might decide to pursue professional registration and hopefully then achieve their Part 3. What happens in between? Part 2.5 happens. I would argue this is an important, if not the most important, phase of an architect. These are the formative years that define what architect you will eventually be. In some unfortunate cases, it may become the years that can potentially break that spirit you once had...but only if you allow it. Many spend these years on autopilot, thinking that they will somehow get registered, make a lot of money and end up designing much respected buildings at the end of it...but more often than not, can be an unending loop of frustrating career experiences. Some however carefully chart this period and try to achieve as much growth as they can, that achieving Part 3 becomes secondary. Part 3 no longer becomes the end game, but merely just another small milestone to bigger and better things that have started well before. Part 2.5 is about being informed of that path and making sound decisions with solid peer and industry support. Hopefully content like this one eases that transition.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes 100%. Many have come out of the education system and got by ‘ticking boxes’. It’s time to think about the bigger picture and mindset. It is about allowing yourself to learn and grow. To stay positive and ... Don’t Panic!

[@suffianshahabuddin113]

@@Archimarathon this is even more important in these unpredictable times. Take a chance to sit back, think about the big picture, talk to people, re-establish baselines and then set out to do the extraordinary.

[@wrongcreativity]

I remember in a Portfolio tutorial during uni, my tutor showed us a slide of an e-mail they had received from a fresh Graduate with their resume and portfolio but in the 'To:' address box was about 15 different architectural firms. I can recall with heavy sigh he said "Please. Don't. Do. This." Personalising is such an important effort to put in.

[@Archimarathon]

LOL. Great story

[@arnasagen8077]

Classic! Haha

[@Fatlou_]

Omg make friends outside of architecture !! I need to do that! Also my back is fucked too. Thanks for making highly relatable contents every week guys

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for watching

[@kudzaishemakweta211]

Thank you so much for informative videos 🙏 we rarely hear this from architecture schools

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks why we feel we must talk about it

[@paulgasparro9364]

I don't know how many people would feel about this but if there is an opportunity to undertake some kind of work for family or friends there's great opportunities to learn about buildings and how they go together. Plus you'll start to learn the aspects of planning and the in's and out's of that side of the work. I've just gone through planning and documentation for my own place and whilst it has been challenging and stressful I've ultimately learnt some great lessons from it, including time management which I can apply in my paid job.

[@prottoyshams9782]

Love what you guys are doing! Super insightful and unbiased. I was wondering if you guys could do a piece on Parametric Architecture and whether it actually has any implications in the future beyond robots building pavilions and/or is it even worthwhile pursuing this in academia / practice (as it seems so detached to the way we design and live/work/play) . Would love to know your thoughts on this!

[@Archimarathon]

Yes I think we will rant about that at some point.

[@efeoz8131]

Very nice, great success!

[@alij9254]

Great insight, I enjoy all your videos. good job, Andrew & Kevin.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks, will do!

[@AussieBIMGuru]

Great video, the intro was classic. Literally know some architect's that wear those glasses!

[@DavidKidstonHACKarchitecture]

Good advice, however I did do everything ass about. I started working with a large practice before starting Architecture. Worked all the way though the degree over 7 years with a short break in the middle to live and travel OS. When I finally graduated we I was married with 2 children. Picked up a wealth of experience along the way, but my grade only just scraped through to get the passes needed. On reflection I would not recommend this path to anyone, but it was totally worth the ride.

[@Archimarathon]

When there is a will, there is a way. There is not a “right way” and your experience is what makes you. Interesting path though.

[@hunteryan7782]

Panic: Me Language problem on CV: Me Months of clubbing after graduation: me Want the name of some famous firm on CV: Me Willing to work for free: Me Thinking of changing to construction major for master: Me Hurting my back and never gonna recover: that's me already Thanks for talking about me.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks for being our target

[@maynardarchitects]

Lol

[@KathrynLarsen]

I also worked while studying, and I had a guarantee that I would be hired after graduation. Also agree with getting your work done early and hitting the floor running!

[@Archimarathon]

But it’s much more than just getting a job

[@KathrynLarsen]

@@Archimarathon Oh for sure. I think people should look deeply into considering what kind of architect they want to be. I needed a steady full-time job for immigration reasons, and working in the field was also an awesome way to secure my rent. But I also was able to continue researching and developing beyond school on top of that. Just because you graduate doesn't mean you stop learning!

[@Archimarathon]

@@KathrynLarsen Yes. Definitely the whole point of our channel.

[@KathrynLarsen]

​@@Archimarathon mine as well :) though more for non-architects!

[@ArchAnime]

Great video!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks

[@romanmamus]

Great video as always! Unpaid internships are still far too common here. There are regulations that are starting to be written to clamp down on them - but I'm sure the enforcement of those regulations especially within architecture is pretty low. A few of my friends have done unpaid work and haven't seen the problem with it... Like you said sometimes it's all about the name on the CV The point about burning out and taking care of your health is also great.. I've been trying to keep a consistent sleep schedule the entire time I've been studying, and honestly I haven't felt that I was lagging behind in any way compared to my peers that pulled all nighters all the time. I think it might partly just be some weird masochistic mindset, like "if I'm not suffering for this work it can't be good"

[@Archimarathon]

Even basic good ergonomics with computer placement etc goes a long way. It chips at you a tiny bit at a time.

[@jethrooftana138]

Actually just graduated and still can't find a job due to the pandemic, sucks to be in a country who doesn't care about their people. Might have to wait 'til next year to have my 3840 hours of experience/training started. Also, the moment Kevin started talking about his "back", i immediately corrected my posture haha.

[@Archimarathon]

Again the point is, there is a lot more than 3840 hours. Sit back and think bigger picture. It’s not just about getting a job

[@jethrooftana138]

@@Archimarathon point taken! Thanks for the content!

[@tomislavmicetic5705]

Great video guys! Found your channel recently and love the way you chat about Architecture. I’m studying Architecture now as a career switch from engineering. I’m enjoying the process of learning but at the same time would like to start working in architecture as soon as possible. Would be great to hear what is your opinion on if the Bachelor’s degree is enough to start practising or the Master’s degree is a must. (Apart from for Registration)

[@Archimarathon]

Yes definitely the master degree. Andrew and I always say that we are all students of architecture, some of us are just further down the road that you are at the moment. Your formal education on design stops after your master degree and even that is not enough. It sets up your understanding of how much you don’t know and how to go about continue learning. Also… are you on Discord? Great conversations there.

[@nikolce1993]

great time for this video haha

[@Archimarathon]

Yes, it’s not exactly scattergun approach

[@WelcomeToSteph]

Nice haircuts boys ;) also, great tips as usual - now to get my arse into gear.

[@Archimarathon]

Post-lockdown hairmageddon

[@cameronosborn3207]

Do you now any firms or folks that take or have taken paid interns from America? Currently in first year of 3-year architecture master's at UT Austin. Harboring a fantasy of emigrating to Brisbane after graduating in 2023 (I'll be 28 then)... (how exactly is a bit beyond me. all I know is to just keep drawing and working hard in school...)

[@Archimarathon]

I don’t know anyone top of my head. Perhaps someone else might comment. As for working hard, it is also working smart too.

[@Archimarathon]

Also check out this account. instagram.com/professional.architects.aus

[@cameronosborn3207]

Thank you!

[@MrDavidPrime]

Do firms care about theory and concepts or are they more interested in what you can do? Also is having a master's in architecture necessary? I worry that not having it will limit my options.

[@Archimarathon]

I am not going to talk about qualifications and degrees, something you will never see on this channel. It is more than just about getting a job which is the whole point of many of our videos. If you want a job there will always be a job. It is about enriching yourself through life, improving architecture as a profession and as a valuable topic of interest. There are firms who don’t care about theory and concepts and just pump out mediocre work. The big question again and again we keep asking is, what do YOU want and WHY are you doing architecture in the first place?

[@jz5374]

Do you think it's possible to start an architecture practice without the qualification but hire experienced staff?

[@Archimarathon]

Possible. But what have you got to offer over your competition?

[@jz5374]

@@Archimarathon Can't say for sure. Good entrepreneurs will figure that out along the way. Perhaps being business minded (understanding the psychology of the clients both on an emotional and a financial level) on top of being creative would be one of the advantages. I feel like the ability to deliver good design is a basic criteria for a successful firm. Other elements come after that. Is this true based on your experience?