Last Updated: 6 months
Starting a new career is not an easy and straightforward thing, and that is even more so in the case of architects. Young architects just fresh out of architecture school may stumble upon many different questions and difficulties that can be discouraging for sure. Some of it can be very daunting to take head on, but it’s inevitable at this point of the young one’s journey. All of that will go away in due time, we assure you, as experience is the cure for all early career problems.
But why not borrow from the experience of others, and make your life a little bit easier right now? In this article, we aim to give young architects great tips to help them reach their full potential a bit faster, while also avoiding many issues beginners have. This is by no means a comprehensive list of things to do, but sure will help you on your start as an architect!
Table of Content
Part 1. Networking and Keeping Connections
Part 2. Design your career path
Part 3. Ownership and Differentiation
Part 4. Self-Marketing is Important
Part 5. Defeat the Impostor Syndrome ASAP
Part 6. Never Stop Learning
6 Steps of Becoming a Successful Architect at a Young Age
Networking and Keeping Connections
First of all, one of the most important things that a young architect must do is network. Actually, that’s a good tip for anyone starting out any new career. Networking is essential.
The architecture community is not a very large one, and knowing who your future colleagues and potential firms are is essential. But remember to always keep your connections in good standing. The second tip here is to not burn bridges with the people you already know: word gets out. Maintain a good neighbor policy at all times.
If you don’t know where to start looking for your fellow architects, you should definitely join the many institutes, associations, and any other organization like this where you live. Some of the big ones are the AIA (American Institute of Architects) and the NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting Board). These new connections and interactions will help you get started, but will also help on all steps of your journey.
Design your career path
Each of us has different skill sets, natural talents, interests, and passions, so each of us will have different experiences along the way. So there is no set way of doing things. Discover is part of the journey. Figuring out what you want to do and how you want to get there is only the first logical step toward any great career. So take some time to evaluate what is it that you want, and what is it that you are best suited for:
Maybe you have more affinity for the indoors, and choose to be an Interiors Architect. You can also choose to work in cities as an Urban Planner, in the suburbs as a Residential architect, or even work for businesses with Commercial architecture. There are many options out there, so it’s a good thing to narrow down your path while you are still beginning.
Ownership and Differentiation
This tip is very important, especially if you’re already trying to find your spot under the sun in the industry. Having ownership over your career journey means that you do what needs to be done, and you learn from your mistakes. It means being humble in the face of struggle, but never backing down – and then also owning your success in the end.
Differentiation goes the same way. By different, we mean developing unique abilities and skills that will help you do the job. Being different and unique also means that a young architect will be a great asset for any firm out there. For example, if you add some great 3D visualization to your project and get the project going smoother, you can stand out from the competition. Combine those two tips together and it will be hard for clients and firms not to love you.
Self-Marketing is Important
Many times people feel that it’s extremely difficult to do self-marketing. Marketing yourself can feel cheeky or sound self-centered at first, but learning how to do it is extremely important. People must know you and know of you.
Getting connected with clients and peers online is the first step. Social media sites like LinkedIn and Behance are great ways for you to self-market to a large number of people. Getting people to know who you are, and what you are capable of, and being memorable to them will attract great opportunities.
You need to engage people’s attention but not overuse (or use at all) “marketing lingo”. When showing a project, tell them a nice story of what it is and how you did it, – just the facts are boring, so throw in some great 3D visualization and impress them. Take Imagist3ds for example, we share the final renderings of our project on social media to show our 3D archviz services, stories, and professionalism (if you need some 3D furniture to get you started on 3D modeling your design, you can download them for free here: Free download 3D models).
So, be bold and people will remember you.
Defeat the Impostor Syndrome ASAP
This tip is related to all that came before so far: at one point or another you will be affected by “impostor syndrome” – You know you can do the job, but you feel you can’t. You start to question yourself or even whether you are supposed to be here at all: It’s too big; it’s too complex; I can do something wrong and ruin everything.
Impostor syndrome will fade away with time, as experience is the only true cure for it. Be self-confident in your abilities and what you can do. Only if you truly know what you can do, then just go ahead and get it done! It’s important, as impostor syndrome can get in the way of all the previous tips on the list.
Never Stop Learning
Not only from experience are the great masters made of. Knowledge is a core component of any successful professional, and obtaining knowledge is a never-ending journey. Don’t ever stop being curious! In this day and age, it’s extremely easy to keep learning, and as a young architect, it’s the perfect moment to get as much knowledge as you can.
The internet is your greatest ally here: online resources are almost infinite. From online courses to forums, podcasts, video tutorials, and 3D archviz tips & guides blog articles, you name it. It’s easy, so never stop doing it! Learning more every day will help with all the previous tips, and defeat the impostor within you for good. Get on with the newest trends and technologies, and don’t ever let yourself get behind. The sky is the limit here.
Conclusion
So, start your journey now: networking, career designing, ownership, marketing, self-confidence, and learning – those are the essential tips for young architects. But remember, not all you need to know in your future career was written down here. Actually, many of the things you will learn are not written anywhere, so don’t stress. Enjoy the journey, and it will be a breeze.
If you still need some more help, check out some free 3D models for modeling here, as we said. But if you have an urgent or excess project demand that doesn’t allow enough time for designing and 3D archviz on your own, please also embrace what a professional 3D architecture visualization studio can give you: Photorealistic 3D renderings that are well-finished and delivered on time. Outsource your project and show the world what you got now!
