I am not the typical job candidate.

After 25 years as a newspaper reporter and editor I left the world of words to pursue my passion for making, not with words, but with my hands. I have since found that the core skills needed for my career in journalism are quite similar to those that could distinguish me in architecture. The best written stories depend on the sequence of ideas, just as in designing and building. Indeed, the architecture of a compelling essay is similar to that of a persuasive building. Each word and sentence must be irreplaceable and inextricably linked to those preceding and following; each piece and detail of a building should exist for a reason. By making connections, you create a cohesive whole that draws readers inside. And deep research and analysis precede any good story or design - not a superficial few moments with Google but drill-deep investigation and interviewing that demands focus and patience.

Now I am finding also that architecture - like writing - can be the practice of persuasion and seduction. Point, line and plane come together to make visual and visceral statements - arguments.

My backstory is simple: I grew up working with wood and metal and through the years continued to make sculpture and furniture as a hobby. In 2007, despite no formal architecture background I was accepted into the University of Kentucky School of Architecture’s Accelerated Master’s Program. This immersion in architecture further cemented my decision to work as an architect after graduation in May 2010. I believe my training and experience as a journalist could make me a stronger designer and an asset to any firm. My portfolio draws from my academic work in architecture, life of artwork and decades in journalism, all with the goal of illustrating my range of abilities: from architectural design and graphic representation to fabrication, writing and public speaking.

Please visit me at www.manofmettle.com