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Nima, Architect at Boston Architecture Firm: Advize Career Interview
A Harvard-educated architect at William Ron Associates, a Boston firm, shares a dynamic career journey sparked by a passion for merging form and function.
The path, built on a diverse undergraduate background in computer science, economics, and art, along with internships and a summer design program, led to a multifaceted role involving master planning, construction administration, and early design phases.
A day in the life is described as intellectually challenging and creatively fulfilling, demanding intensity and perfectionism.
The most rewarding aspects include collaborating with diverse teams, creating enduring structures, and the constant learning fueled by varied projects and challenges.
Aspiring architects should expect a demanding career requiring strategic planning, strong communication skills, and a "perfectionism and personability" blend.
Success hinges on following one's intuition, seeking mentorship, and embracing the iterative design process— even when facing unexpected hurdles.
The interview offers valuable insights into entry-level positions and the importance of pursuing tangential interests that can strengthen a portfolio.
This career offers a tangible legacy, built through dedication and a unique blend of intellectual rigor and interpersonal connection.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Nima Shariat
Architect
Boston Architecture Firm
University of California, Santa Cruz
Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, Master of Architecture 2022
Computer Science, Economics, Fine Arts, Music
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
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Career Path of an Architect at a Boston Architecture Firm
Initially drawn to car design for its "merging of form and function," Nima's diverse undergraduate background in computer science, economics, and art, combined with internships in transit planning and sustainable engineering, ultimately led them to architecture. A summer design program solidified this path, culminating in a Master's of Architecture from Harvard and a current role at William Ron Associates, complemented by teaching positions at Boston Architectural College and RISD.
Main Responsibilities Of An Architect At Boston Architecture Firm
Nima, a recently licensed architect, describes a varied role including leading a team of two on a California master planning project and contributing to other projects ranging from "construction administration for a large pump station" to early design phases. This demonstrates the dynamic nature of the work, shifting between teams and tasks daily, reflecting the evolving responsibilities that come with licensure.
A Day In The Life Of An Architect At Boston Architecture Firm
A day in the life of an architect at a Boston firm is "fairly dynamic," shifting from coordinating meetings and reviewing construction documents to hands-on model-making and budget evaluation. This variety, encompassing both "intellectually challenging" coordination and creative design phases, reflects the multifaceted nature of the profession.
Most Important Skills For An Architect At Boston Architecture Firm
Nima, a Boston architect, emphasizes the importance of "intensity" and "perfectionism" in the field, describing it as a demanding career requiring significant education and rigorous exams. The iterative design process necessitates a willingness to repeatedly refine work, demanding a level of commitment that only a "perfectionist attitude" can sustain, leading to more fulfilling and ultimately successful projects.
Favorite Parts Of Being An Architect At Boston Architecture Firm
Nima, a Boston-based architect, finds the dynamism of the role most satisfying—"it makes you kinda change up," constantly learning and engaging with diverse challenges. This constant shift, involving varied tasks, team collaborations, and in-person design critiques, fulfills a desire for stimulating work and aligns with their past experiences, providing "an abundance of things going on in their head."
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Architect At A Boston Architecture Firm
Nima's biggest challenge as an architect is balancing multiple projects with varying intensities, requiring constant time management and the ability to "zoom out" from immediate tasks to consider the broader project vision and past ideas. This necessitates proactively scheduling time for strategic re-evaluation and potentially even restarting aspects of the design process, a skill learned and honed through experience.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Architecture Industry As An Architect
Nima, an architect, finds the most rewarding aspect of their profession to be "the people," from collaborating with diverse teams and clients on projects ranging from intimate homes to large-scale institutional buildings, to the enduring impact of their work, noting "the end product being something that's material that may very well...live beyond" them. This tangible legacy, combined with the interpersonal connections fostered through design, makes the career deeply fulfilling.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Architecture Industry According To An Architect At Boston Architecture Firm
To thrive in architecture, a unique blend of "perfectionism and personability" is crucial, requiring the ability to "speak both languages"—mastering both design and client communication—within a high-stakes, capital-intensive industry where reputation and networking are paramount. Success hinges on finding "the sweet spot" between excellent design and strong industry connections.
What An Architect In Boston Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Architecture
Nima, a Boston-based architect, advises aspiring architects to carefully consider the demanding nature of the field, noting that "it's a rather intense field," with long hours and significant mental investment. The career path also requires strategic planning regarding location preferences, as the type of firm and project scale often dictates where one must live, a consideration Nima found important to their career trajectory.
Entry-level Positions For Aspiring Architects At Boston Architecture Firm
Entry-level architecture roles extend beyond design internships; Nima suggests exploring "tangentially related things," such as marketing roles offering early exposure to "senior leadership," or 3D modeling, providing "a sense of what the various projects are" and design experience. The most successful entry point, however, may be pursuing passions outside the field which "lend themselves to your portfolio," showcasing a candidate's unique skill set and interests.
Significant Career Lesson From An Architect At Boston Architecture Firm
Nima, a Boston architect, emphasizes that "there's almost always a way forward," even with intense design challenges and unexpected problems. This approach, combining "meditative PR practices" with optimism, has proven invaluable throughout their career, transforming stressful situations into opportunities for innovative solutions and ultimately leading to better results.
College Experiences That Helped an Architect at Boston Architecture Firm Succeed
Nima's undergraduate success stemmed from "following intuition and passions," exploring diverse subjects—even seemingly unrelated ones like a Conlan class—which unexpectedly proved valuable later in their career. This approach, coupled with actively seeking mentorship from faculty during office hours, provided invaluable guidance and broadened their professional perspectives beyond the typical linear career path.
How Identity Has Influenced An Architect's Career At A Boston Architecture Firm
Nima's immigrant family prioritized education, providing a strong foundation that fueled their career path and instilled a sense of responsibility to carry on their legacy; this intense upbringing, coupled with recognizing the privileges afforded to them, allows Nima to approach their career with focused passion, channeling "that intensity and passion" into their work while aiming to pass on this drive to future generations.
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