I'm looking for a pigeon hole, any advice on which one? In all seriousness, I'm actually just curious if anyone's got stories on how you've found a passion under the infinitely large umbrella that is architecture. I'm not trying to throw more money at a TBD degree, but everyone and their mom is getting certified in some sort of green design tool. I find that sustainability just isn't something I'm passionate about, though I recognize its importance. I'm not passionate about ADA, building codes, specs or city process either, but I can appreciate the roles they play. Anyway, how did you find your passion, if at all, and what advice do you have for a young, naive person like myself who feels pressured into finding new ways to stand out in the ever-growing sea of competition to get certified in something, anything?
natematt
Feb 15, 21 9:09 pm
Interesting take.
Probably the easiest, and arguably one of the best, ways to specialize in architecture is to do things other people don't particularly like doing while still being high skill/knowledge jobs.
You have unfortunately just excluded a large number of those haha. Casp/accessibility, Spec writing, Code consulting, expediting, waterproofing/building enclosure, and LEED consulting are all things that seem like they can be pretty successful.
Specializations based on professional experience and market sector are another, medical planning for example.
You'll notice a lot of these aren't really requiring certifications, but they require experience, and interest.
Having particularly developed skill sets in digital technologies, BIM, Computational design, etc. Another option, though it seems to be harder to completely delaminate from the rest of the profession into your own little nook that way.
Rendering is another of course, but it seems like without going managerial there, you have a pretty limited career growth curve.
This is to say, I don't like the idea of really in depth specialization. I think it's great to have some particular skills, but I'd rather be more of a generalist. I think the profession actually lacks people who are good at that, to many people with tunnel vision.
caramelhighrise
Feb 15, 21 9:33 pm
I think this could branch off into much broader topics than I intended, but you raise a good point. Up to this point, what I might have had the potential to become especially skilled at doesn't seem to align with what interests me, though I'm not sure what that is yet, hence my original question. But the battle of generalist vs. specialist possibly stemmed from feeling unfulfilled as one or the other. I feel I'm not experienced enough to know. Back in college I thought specializing in something only meant the market sector. But after working in many different markets and wearing all sorts of hats, I'm left wanting more and I'm really not sure what that is. I know there's only one person in this community who can answer that question but I figured a little inspiring conversation never hurt! Thanks for the reply.
midlander
Feb 15, 21 10:57 pm
just keep working and do what you find interesting - that will be your specialty. keep open minded about things you don't understand and learn to appreciate the value of the things you don't personally care to do.
it's not a problem that the majority of architects aren't extremely specialized - especially in the early stages of design as well as in management being a generalist who recognizes the value and role of specialists is what's important.
midlander
Feb 15, 21 11:02 pm
for some people that specialization will be a technical skill in software or knowledge of codes/speccing/standards. for some it's expertise in certain project types. for many it's a work role - as pm, site architect, client lead, or strategic management. sometimes it's knowing a certain market and how to get projects in it. and again the majority of valuable specializations depend on experience not lettered credentials. just keep doing things and the experience will come.
randomised
Feb 16, 21 2:23 am
Difficult one, am a Jack of all trades but a master of none myself...have had lots of different jobs in architecture or adjacent fields already and would like to settle for something myself as well, so hope this thread develops, but having worked primarily project based I am never able to stick around long enough somewhere to become their go-to guy. I do know how to squeeze lots of jobs onto a double page resume and make it look graphically appealing, that’s a skill too! No?
I'm looking for a pigeon hole, any advice on which one? In all seriousness, I'm actually just curious if anyone's got stories on how you've found a passion under the infinitely large umbrella that is architecture. I'm not trying to throw more money at a TBD degree, but everyone and their mom is getting certified in some sort of green design tool. I find that sustainability just isn't something I'm passionate about, though I recognize its importance. I'm not passionate about ADA, building codes, specs or city process either, but I can appreciate the roles they play. Anyway, how did you find your passion, if at all, and what advice do you have for a young, naive person like myself who feels pressured into finding new ways to stand out in the ever-growing sea of competition to get certified in something, anything?
Interesting take.
Probably the easiest, and arguably one of the best, ways to specialize in architecture is to do things other people don't particularly like doing while still being high skill/knowledge jobs.
You have unfortunately just excluded a large number of those haha. Casp/accessibility, Spec writing, Code consulting, expediting, waterproofing/building enclosure, and LEED consulting are all things that seem like they can be pretty successful.
Specializations based on professional experience and market sector are another, medical planning for example.
You'll notice a lot of these aren't really requiring certifications, but they require experience, and interest.
Having particularly developed skill sets in digital technologies, BIM, Computational design, etc. Another option, though it seems to be harder to completely delaminate from the rest of the profession into your own little nook that way.
Rendering is another of course, but it seems like without going managerial there, you have a pretty limited career growth curve.
This is to say, I don't like the idea of really in depth specialization. I think it's great to have some particular skills, but I'd rather be more of a generalist. I think the profession actually lacks people who are good at that, to many people with tunnel vision.
I think this could branch off into much broader topics than I intended, but you raise a good point. Up to this point, what I might have had the potential to become especially skilled at doesn't seem to align with what interests me, though I'm not sure what that is yet, hence my original question. But the battle of generalist vs. specialist possibly stemmed from feeling unfulfilled as one or the other. I feel I'm not experienced enough to know. Back in college I thought specializing in something only meant the market sector. But after working in many different markets and wearing all sorts of hats, I'm left wanting more and I'm really not sure what that is. I know there's only one person in this community who can answer that question but I figured a little inspiring conversation never hurt! Thanks for the reply.
just keep working and do what you find interesting - that will be your specialty. keep open minded about things you don't understand and learn to appreciate the value of the things you don't personally care to do.
it's not a problem that the majority of architects aren't extremely specialized - especially in the early stages of design as well as in management being a generalist who recognizes the value and role of specialists is what's important.
for some people that specialization will be a technical skill in software or knowledge of codes/speccing/standards. for some it's expertise in certain project types. for many it's a work role - as pm, site architect, client lead, or strategic management. sometimes it's knowing a certain market and how to get projects in it. and again the majority of valuable specializations depend on experience not lettered credentials. just keep doing things and the experience will come.
Difficult one, am a Jack of all trades but a master of none myself...have had lots of different jobs in architecture or adjacent fields already and would like to settle for something myself as well, so hope this thread develops, but having worked primarily project based I am never able to stick around long enough somewhere to become their go-to guy. I do know how to squeeze lots of jobs onto a double page resume and make it look graphically appealing, that’s a skill too! No?