"Which way is the wind blowing? Or is it blowing at all?"

After sitting in on an AIAS (American Institute of Architects - Students) lunch lecture I was assured of the harsh reality of the job market awaiting me post-graduation, but was also surprisingly encouraged.  A local principle at Tryba Architects, Chris Nims, who is also a staff member here at the University spoke on his perspective that this is one of the worst recessions that he has seen in his career.

I met Chris Nims about a year ago when, optimistic but scared little 1st year graduate student was I, met with him to gain advice on entering the Architecture world.  It was accurate that I should be intimidated by him, because I left that first visit feeling extremely overwhelmed and scared for all of the work and "networking" that stood between me and my dream job.  Most importantly, before I could really do anything, I needed an internship.  How do you get an internship, one could wonder, without any experience?  I was lost.

Since that intimidating day a year ago, I feel I have pushed forward and have earned the right to call myself an "intern architect" with a plan of breaking into the profession.  Chris spoke during today's lecture about the ways that I can advocate for my own career and create opportunities wherever I am at.  Of the things he listed that I should be working on now (the same list he presented me with a year ago) I can now confidently say that I am either already doing many of these, or have a plan in place to do them very soon.  Some of these items include:

•  Gain Experience - my wonderful friend and current colleague, Tiffany Cellura whom I met 6 years ago at a Junior College in Los Angeles helped me to attain the incredible architectural internship job that we both currently hold.

• Demonstrate leadership - A leadership roll at my current internship recently fell into my lap and I feel (a little overwhelmed) but also valued.

• Spread  your Network - this was by-far the scariest of them all.  Currently I am meeting with female architects I have met through friends, getting to  know them and their careers.  I also am planning to attend many of the AIA upcoming events.  Both of these scary types of "networking" are less intimidating when they can be done with/through friends, rather than via cold calls and events.

• Make your portfolio stand out - I am in a Digital Portfolio class this semester that is extremely challenging but will force me to push my limits and finish with a final (very good) product. 

I do hope and pray (starting early) for an awesome job come May.  I do trust that God will provide something when the time comes.  Even if this something is my back-up plan of opening a bakery with Tiffany :-)

What Architecture Means to Me

The first assignment in my Professional Practice architecture class was to write one page on what the practice of architecture is and what this means to me.  As I was writing I realized that this may be one of the first times I have formally put what I feel most passionate about within architecture into writing.  So here it is:  

The practice of architecture covers a wide spectrum within the profession.  Some architects want to design and erect an “icon” for the city and a name for themselves.  Other architects humbly strive to achieve subtle beauty in restoration and redevelopment of existing structures.  I believe that the true gauge of success in Architecture is how well the spaces created work for the people that use them.  Why build a civic center that looks beautiful on paper, bustling with drawn-in crowds, only to find that this space is utterly lifeless in real life?  When studying and practicing Architecture it is of the most importance to truly understand what scale, what proportion, what amount of light and dark, etc, will actually perform as well in person as hoped in drawing.  I acknowledge that my first project(s) may not actually turn out as well as I hope, but I promise to practice, actually practice architecture, learning from my mistakes so that one day I can create spaces that improve people’s lives.