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.
Career Development, Work-Life Balance, Mentorship, Support Systems, Time Management
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
Architecture, Construction & Design, Consulting & Related Professional Services
Creative
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Designing buildings with similar floor plans is easier than designing custom homes.
2. Strong support systems (mentors or partners) are crucial for career advancement in architecture.
3. Balancing professional ambitions with personal responsibilities requires effective time management and potentially shared responsibilities, which can significantly impact career progression.
Transcript
What is one lesson you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
This is a recent realization I've had since starting to teach at Cal. I've come to understand that designing a tall building with very similar, repeating floors is much easier than designing a custom home.
That aside, and this might seem unrelated, but I can't stress enough the importance of having strong support. This can be from a mentor or a life partner who equally shares in the day-to-day chores and responsibilities of the household.
I say this because becoming an accomplished, well-rounded architect requires a lot of time and work. If you're also the primary caregiver for your children while trying to advance professionally, you might not have the opportunity to unlock all your talents and capabilities. You're trying to do it all, and sometimes you can't do it all well.
You have to make sacrifices. That's why having a partner who participates in at least 50% of these responsibilities would be really helpful for advancing your career.