I hadn’t planned on becoming an architect. When I was little, I wanted to be an artist or a surgeon. Very different career paths.
I did not even get my bachelor’s degree in architecture.
When I attended Northwestern University, I studied communicative disorders and minored in history. Not exactly a fast track to partner at a large firm, but I appreciate it now as both taught me different skill sets that I can use with both clients and in my personal life. They also gave me a boarder understanding of the world around me, which I think helps me relate to clients in a way I wouldn’t have before.
When I graduated, I realized that to become an architect, I would have to attend an M Arch program, or simply a master’s of architecture. Thus I took the GRE and started applying.
I ended up at Catholic University, which is a smaller school in Washington DC. I packed my bags and started learning about architecture!
Learning about architecture means many different things. I like to think of it as a mix of engineering and interior design. I had to learn lots of complex math so that when I design a home, it is designed with the proper angles and material types to be able to stay up. It’s kind of important. I also had to learn how to design buildings so that they are pretty, as we enjoy living in beautiful and functional spaces (and staying up is good too).
After I graduated, I still was not fully an architect. I then had to do all of my licensing exams. Think of it as the Bar for architects. With much studying, I passed and became a fully licensed architect.
Even today, my work is not fully done. I continue to work on continuing my education and have to pass certain exams to keep my license, which is very important as I would be unable to design without it.
Now, I have new work in starting my firm. Previously I have worked for a variety of other people, and each one has taught me many different things about architecture and design. But I am so excited that this next part of my life is going to be dictated by me and the type of work I want to do. It's going to allow me to grow as an architect, in a new way, and for that, I can't wait.
While my job required a ton of education, I am so thankful that I chose it. Becoming an architect allowed me to blend my creative skills with my more academic skills like math, which I don't think I could have gotten with any other profession. I enjoy working with my clients and knowing that my work is essential to how others live and ultimately their happiness. It is a responsibility that I am proud to have, and I hope those who wish to pursue architecture take it seriously.
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