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Laurie, Architect at AIA Architect: Advize Career Interview
A UCLA art major's unexpected journey into architecture reveals a dynamic career path blending artistic talent with STEM expertise.
This professional's story highlights the importance of diverse skills—strong writing, advanced math, and exceptional listening—in navigating the challenges and rewards of the field.
The interview reveals the daily life of a licensed architect, balancing client collaboration, construction oversight, and teaching, while emphasizing the crucial role of problem-solving and creative design within strict safety regulations.
A career in architecture demands multitasking, critical thinking, and a keen eye for detail, yet offers immense satisfaction in shaping the built environment.
The interview also provides valuable insights into overcoming challenges as a woman in a historically male-dominated profession, and offers practical advice on entry-level positions, focusing on the importance of CAD proficiency, particularly Revit.
This individual's experiences underscore the need for a supportive network and a well-rounded education to achieve success in this fulfilling, demanding profession.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Laurie Friedman
Architect
AIA Architect
University of California, Los Angeles and University of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Master of Architecture
Architecture, Interior Design, Fine Arts, Music
Professional Services
Creative
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of An Architect As An AIA Architect
Laurie's career path was initially unconventional, starting with an art major at UCLA despite a STEM aptitude, but a graduate-level architecture course ignited a passion, leading to a pursuit of architecture. The path involved bridging the gap between art and STEM through rigorous coursework, summer internships at architectural firms, and a determination to "catch up on math and physics," ultimately accumulating sufficient hours for licensing.
Main Responsibilities Of An AIA Architect Running Their Own Firm
Laurie's dual role encompasses "meeting with clients" to develop schematic designs, coordinating with consultants to obtain building permits, and overseeing construction to ensure adherence to design intent, alongside administrative tasks. The career also involves a significant teaching component at UCLA and UC Berkeley, focusing on CAD and design fundamentals for aspiring designers.
A Day In The Life Of A Self-Employed Architect
A licensed architect's day begins with prioritizing physical and mental health, followed by client, contractor, and engineer coordination to advance projects, spending the remainder of the day and often evenings on design and drafting. When also teaching, the daily routine includes class preparation, grading, curriculum refinement, and individual student meetings, resulting in "very full days".
Most Important Skills For An Architect At AIA
Laurie, an architect, emphasizes the importance of "really good listening skills" and empathy in understanding client needs, while also highlighting the crucial role of visualization, advanced math skills (like calculus and trigonometry), and surprisingly, strong writing skills – a skill which opened many opportunities for the professional.
Favorite Parts Of Being An AIA Architect
Laurie, an architect at AIA Architect, most enjoys "being in the zone of problem solving," tackling design, building code, and even software challenges. This problem-solving aptitude is highly valued by colleagues and clients, who rely on Laurie for "buildable solutions that meet the design goals."
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Architect At AIA
Laurie's biggest challenge as an architect is balancing creative design with stringent life safety codes, stating that "people's lives are dependent on it," a responsibility underscored by the rigorous licensing process. This challenge is further complicated by the historical underrepresentation of women in the profession, making advancement and establishing credibility a significant hurdle in their career.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Architecture Industry As An AIA Architect
Laurie's passion for design and "the built environment," ignited by childhood experiences in historic buildings, fuels their architectural career. The profession's diverse skillset requirements, encompassing artistic talent, technical expertise, and even literary abilities, allows for many different career paths within architecture, making it a rewarding field for individuals with varied gifts.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Architecture Industry According To An Architect At AIA
To thrive in architecture, one must be a "multitasker," a "critical thinker," and possess creativity, along with a well-rounded skill set encompassing artistic, mathematical, and writing abilities. The ability to think "out of the box," a keen attention to detail, and a focused approach are crucial given the life-safety implications of the profession.
What an Architect at AIA Architect Wishes They Knew Before Architecture
Laurie, an architect, wishes someone had advised her to focus on specific aspects of the profession early on, rather than trying "to do everything," especially given the historically male-dominated field and the challenges this presented in career progression. Their early licensing and independent practice provided invaluable experience that might have been limited in larger firms due to gender bias and the resulting lack of delegation of responsibility.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Architects
Entry-level architecture positions, such as junior designer roles, are readily available for undergraduates proficient in Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs like Revit, which Laurie calls "the industry standard." Strong CAD skills, particularly in Revit, are highly valued and significantly increase job prospects for new graduates, allowing them to contribute immediately to tasks such as "red lining," or marking up drawings for revisions.
Significant Career Lesson From An AIA Architect
Laurie, an architect, found that designing "a tall building that has very similar floors" proved easier than custom homes, a surprising contrast in their career. More significantly, however, they emphasize the crucial role of strong support systems—"whether it's from a mentor or a life partner"—in achieving professional success, noting that balancing career advancement with childcare responsibilities requires significant shared effort to fully unlock potential.
College Experiences That Helped An Architect Succeed As An AIA Architect
Laurie's diverse undergraduate education, encompassing "art classes and science classes," along with varied work experiences like "running the accounting and bookkeeping for an electronics firm," provided a broad skillset and fostered strong time management, proving invaluable for a demanding career in architecture. The diverse learning fostered "problem-solving" and a unique approach to the field.
How Identity Has Influenced an Architect's Career at AIA Architect
Laurie's career as an architect reflects the challenges women face in a male-dominated field; they describe having to "put forth like 125% effort" to prove themselves, a sentiment still relevant despite a shift towards more family-friendly firm cultures and increased female representation within the profession. The evolution of the industry, however, offers hope, as evidenced by the increased opportunities and improved work-life balance observed by Laurie.
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