Architecture schools are nothing less than a roller coaster ride. It is an experience of extremities with the deepest lows and highest ups. Exposure during a five-year-long voyage ranges from the most alluring architectural edifices to the filthiest material warehouses. However, as soon as one heads out of college, all the countless sleepless nights, the hard work, and the immense expenditure incurred during the course are followed by a bold question mark. Therefore, here are the ten tips for students to make your life easier as you step out of Architecture school.
1. Be the master of your mind | Tips for students
You might be overworking since joining architecture school, but workload hits differently over real-life projects. Therefore, being calm and meditative towards work in a rock-like situation is critical because, at times, the work stress could surely blow your mind. Professionally, an architect bears the lives and safety of civilians in their hands wherein minutest of errors could cause the greatest of harm. Contrarily, in Architecture schools, students are encouraged to design unusual concepts. Therefore, drawing every single line with utmost precision is necessary which is possible when you work with an open mind devoid of any anxiety.
2. Smart Work is the key
It is often said hard work is the key to success. Contrarily in Architecture, smart work subsequently leads to success. The mammoth quantities of work require intellectual shortcuts to make results quicker. Although shortcuts are known for the good hold over fundamentals of architecture but are essential to mark your identity in the new workplace. At times the work could be repetitive and can be resolved conveniently. Also, the architectural softwares is designed to work using shortcuts and commands which could save time and provide better results. All such things would be known post enough practice and knowledge might lend a great helping hand at your new workplace.
3. The greatest school is outside school | Tips for students
The tedious architectural coursework comes to life on site. As one steps out of school, all the learnings in a five-year-long journey seem petite and one starts to discover their shortcomings effectively. All the great drafting and visualisation skills acquire their real rankings in a professional office. So as you set your mind to join an architectural firm, prepare yourself to learn a whole new side of the profession where you might be treated as a baby bird in the flock. You might’ve aced in your academic years, but there’s always an advanced level of skill required in professional practice.
4. Technology has the lead
One may have read thousands of books and may have unbeatable hand skills and technical knowledge but nothing counts unless they have adequate knowledge of software to showcase their skills. In your ‘Almost Architect’ state possessing software, skill is a non-negotiable aspect. In this era of information technology, software like AutoCAD, Sketchup, Revit, Rhinoceros, etc. is the medium to visualise the designs and their flaws right from the conceptual stage. Long before any project is set to start on site, it’s constructed digitally and continuously modified for its shortcomings. This avoids dreadful blunders on site and advocates for the feasibility of the design.
5. Keep up the pace with the industry | Tips for students
The disparity between architectural education and profession is hard to cover. Familiarity with the latest ongoing trends in the professional world might help the students on the verge of stepping out of their architecture schools. The syllabus taught in schools is not as frequently updated as the material and construction techniques; and design philosophies in the real world. Market surveys and literature case studies can potentially bridge the gap and enable you to make your viewpoint count at your workplace. The course curriculum majorly aims to acquaint students with fundamental ideologies, contrarily the professional practice aims to explore advanced practices.
6. Know your path
Architecture is a profession that diverges into multiple allied specializations. While in the academic years, faculties can indeed guide you regarding various career options and help you discover your passion. One ought to explore and broaden the precise knowledge relentlessly which would help in building a relevant portfolio. Consequently, one may perhaps pursue their passion professionally after graduation. Being on the brink of the professional sea, having your particular backdrop might be a life-saving boat. Knowing your path is essential as it can keep you focused and help achieve greater heights in that particular specialization.
7. Be the architect that you want to be for the rest of your life
Having your voice heard in the new workplace could be far-flung. Numerous of your valuable inputs might go in vain, leaving you hopeless. Therefore, during the most desirable design project of your architecture school i.e.THESIS, it is advisable to pursue the wildest design fantasies you can think of, which might never have a chance to come out as you step into the professional world. This aspect might also evaluate the feasibility of your unique concepts in the real world which later might not have a dedicated mentor to flourish. Because post-graduation, no design project would have attributes of your choice nor will you have the liberty to design it to your likeness.
8. Keep control over your pocket | Tips for students
Architecture, one of the more expensive courses, leads to some of the least paid jobs in the market. Therefore it is non-negotiable to be habitual in saving money because there would never be enough remuneration for your efforts. Initial earnings would be enough to bear the mere living expenses. It will take a long time to fund the fascinating exposure you’ve got through your architecture school. So keeping your fist closed tightly is essential, so money does not slip like sand.
9. Be the team player
Architecture is a team game. It requires a considerable number of professionals to bring a project to life. So even if you have been doing plates individually in architecture school, you need to be geared up to be comfortable working with a team. Being a lone performer never helps in architecture. You might be required to coordinate with clients, site engineers, vendors, visualisation experts, service consultants, etc; so it is advisable to be dogmatic as you’re about to step out of school. A cliche saying ‘Teamwork makes the dream work is best exemplified in the architectural profession.
10. Good Networking Skills | Tips for students
In the final years of architecture school, having a friendly bond with your seniors and juniors might help a bunch. During your thesis, your juniors might assist you to complete an unending list of submittals while seniors might guide you to finish it with ease. Even post studies, your network can extremely help you get the desired placement as required. In the highly competitive era having professional references proves to be highly beneficial in landing you at higher positions in lesser time. So it is always advisable to be a good networker throughout your college life because not just grades and skills matter in Architecture, but it’s your bonds as well.
References:
https://www.arch2o.com/success-tips-young-architect/
https://www.arch2o.com/success-tips-young-architect/
https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/6874-top-10-business-tips-for-architects
