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Original poster

15yr mentee wants to be an architect. Ideas?

35 replies

mangowithasqueezeoflime · 26/02/2022 13:11

I am part of a mentorship program and my mentee wants to be either an architect or structural engineer. I would like to understand more about that space and perhaps related roles she might not have considered- like project mgt in an architecture firm, construction mgt roles etc. We are speaking about improving communication now and I will bring in a professional for her to interview. She's very excited!

Any ideas or resources that might be helpful would be appreciated. Or how you find working in that industry. My friend in a related role in a firm is burnt out and the only architect I know says "don't do it" so she won't be interviewing them!

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 26/02/2022 13:20

If she wants to be an architect then ideally she would talk to an architect, I would only suggest alternative roles to consider in addition rather than instead. (Sorry if that's what you mean but it's not clear from your post.)

There is also architectural technician which requires fewer qualifications I believe, I think they do the technical drawings but I don't think it has the creative element that the role of architect has.

Architect and structural engineer are very different; the first more creative and the second more technical - does she know yet whether she's more drawn to one or the other?

I have an architect in my family and have met with several to discuss a renovation project; it seems like a great job to me!

Has she watched the home improvement shows with architects, such as "Ugly House to Lovely House" and "Your Home Made Perfect"?

spotcheck · 26/02/2022 13:25

Encourage her to research, and go see some of the amazing buildings we have in this country.
Have you both been on the RIBA website?
If I remember correctly, they sometimes have some programmes aimed at young'uns

MMMarmite · 26/02/2022 13:31

No practical advice, but she might really like this desert island discs episode, with Dame Jo da Silva who had exactly that career.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0011lnd

LouisRenault · 26/02/2022 13:45

Could she look at any big projects in progress in your town or city, find out who the architects/engineers are and study their websites? For example, I'm not an architect, but I have been following the story of the new Museum of London site at Smithfield because I'm looking forward to visiting it.

Also look at university courses - what subjects she would need, and also look at reading lists. Most university courses have theirs available online. She could start with one or two basic/preliminary books along the lines of 'An Introduction to....'

The website of the Institution of Civil Engineers has some useful resources, I think.

And yes, visit historic buildings and study the achievements of people such as Brunel.

Thoosa · 26/02/2022 13:48

Work experience in a planning department or planning consultancy would be a good balance - and easier to get - to whatever contact with an architect is available.

Rummikub · 26/02/2022 13:51

Civil engineer

Ask her to takes photos of architecture she likes and close up details too.
Be aware of light and how it impacts a space.
Visit places.

Sounds very rewarding op. How was it set up?

Thoosa · 26/02/2022 13:58

I’ve thought of something else that DS did (similar scenario) that was free and didn’t require outside input, and that was to take self-directed day trips to places that were interesting architecturally or in terms of planning. So we were in London and his included Docklands, Coin Street cooperative, Thamesmead, and a little hidden council development in Covent Garden which I can’t immediately remember the name of. Also a few individual buildings, a new town and I did a detour on the way back from Cornwall so he could mooch around Poundbury.

Rummikub · 26/02/2022 14:01

Future learn might have free on line courses too

nearlyspringyay · 26/02/2022 15:12

Harshly, does she have the talent to be an architect? If so RIBA is the first port of call.

Or she could consider building surveying if she's interested in the built environment, or planning. RICS and RTPI are really pushing the apprentice route post covid.

Construction project management is a hard game, IME Prince2 etc are not that relevant.

YankeeDad · 26/02/2022 15:45

At some stage it would also be good for her to get experience working on a building site, for any role in the construction industry. Maybe not right now at 15 since it's mainly men and there would be potential safeguarding issues. But IMO, onsite experience building things makes for a better architect by giving direct exposure to the pitfalls and difficulties of various construction methods, and also to the types of shortcuts that can get taken by builders if they don't keep a sharp eye out during a build.

FAQs · 26/02/2022 15:49

If you’re struggling with work experience you could also try a commercial estate agent/surveyors they might help.

Lio · 26/02/2022 15:54

Signing up to the Dezeen newsletter, or just checking the website regularly wil be inspiring. Lots of architecture practices run work experience, though you might find this is aimed at Y12 students. I imagine structural engineering companies do this too.

NotMeNoNo · 26/02/2022 15:58

She could have a look at the websites of some of the big companies: e.g. Arup, Buro Happold, Foster + partners. They will have information about their projects as well as graduate stories.
Architecture is quite demanding (nothing wrong with aspiring to) but there are also many other careers in the built environment at different levels. Engineering, surveying, mapping, 3d modelling, management, all kinds of environmental consulting. It can vary from small local projects to landmarks like the Shard.
I'm a civil engineer, like all jobs it has its moments but I still enjoy it and would recommend it to anyone.

Original poster
mangowithasqueezeoflime · 26/02/2022 18:27

Thanks everyone, lots to think about! I certainly will have her speak to an architect, but the previous poster's comment about some of the other jobs is really helpful too. At the age lots of kids just know the most well known jobs and not all the others it takes to complete such a complex project as a building.

Great recommendations on resources. I love Dezeen too!

OP posts:
Original poster
mangowithasqueezeoflime · 26/02/2022 18:33

@Rummikub

Civil engineer

Ask her to takes photos of architecture she likes and close up details too.
Be aware of light and how it impacts a space.
Visit places.

Sounds very rewarding op. How was it set up?

Good idea and potentially combines the creative and the technical.

This is the mentor program. They can range from girls who come from quite deprived areas and might not know many women in leadership roles to ones like this cohort who just want support to build their confidence.

www.thegirlsnetwork.org.uk/

OP posts:
MoiraNotRuby · 26/02/2022 18:36

If she lives in London there is a brilliant Saturday scheme for aspiring architects. I think its run by the Bartlett part of UCL.

Loopytiles · 26/02/2022 18:37

Engineering is shorter training and good jobs and pay. Some universities have events and programmes for school age students, also try women in STEM type organisations.

Don’t understand your suggestions about ‘lesser’ (generalist/management) roles - less pay! - unless mentee is unlikely to get good grades.

Original poster
mangowithasqueezeoflime · 26/02/2022 18:45

@Loopytiles

Engineering is shorter training and good jobs and pay. Some universities have events and programmes for school age students, also try women in STEM type organisations.

Don’t understand your suggestions about ‘lesser’ (generalist/management) roles - less pay! - unless mentee is unlikely to get good grades.

I never said lesser roles. I wanted to know about related roles. She has an interest but doesn't know the built environment space and the nuances of the roles- as she is only 15. There might be other roles that are interesting that she doesn't know exists.

I studied journalism the first time around and at that age I had no idea all the other jobs at a newspaper besides reporter. I also didn't realise the various related career paths for someone who studies that degree. Lots of people I know went into trade publishing or PR.

The mentor program does its best to pair us with girls who want to go into our line of work but there's never complete parity, so I'm trying to understand the space better so I can facilitate some conversations for her.

OP posts:
YoComoManzanas · 26/02/2022 18:47

I would steer her away from architecture to be honest. Its a badly paid job due to its high desirability and therefore lots of competition from other architects. How about town planning or civil engineering. Construction management?
Also very much still jobs for the old boys network in some places. Has got much better in terms of sexism and misogyny both in practise and on site. But still very much behind the times.
I experienced snide behind back comments from contractors and colleagues about being the lead architects bit on the side, etc. Work life balance is abysmal. Often need to be out on site which can be the other side of the country. Rarely get to do any actual design work until she has several years experience. This is after 3years uni study and then a further 4 in industry.
I'm not bitter.Sad

Qwill · 26/02/2022 19:11

Civil Engineering isn’t that well paid I’m afraid. Also the hours are very long and pretty inflexible. You can also be sent anywhere.

spotcheck · 27/02/2022 13:00

I'm shocked at people suggesting to not take up architecture or civil engineering due to wage...
They are both well above average wage...?

FAQs · 27/02/2022 18:41

@YoComoManzanas

I would steer her away from architecture to be honest. Its a badly paid job due to its high desirability and therefore lots of competition from other architects. How about town planning or civil engineering. Construction management? Also very much still jobs for the old boys network in some places. Has got much better in terms of sexism and misogyny both in practise and on site. But still very much behind the times. I experienced snide behind back comments from contractors and colleagues about being the lead architects bit on the side, etc. Work life balance is abysmal. Often need to be out on site which can be the other side of the country. Rarely get to do any actual design work until she has several years experience. This is after 3years uni study and then a further 4 in industry. I'm not bitter.Sad
I would never put up with that, they would get a short sharp shock on-site if I was ever spoken to in anyway as you describe!
Qwill · 27/02/2022 23:21

@spotcheck
It’s not to do with wage. I am in this field, and the hours are long and if you work out the hourly rate it’s not great. I loved this job, but since I’ve had a baby I realise how shit it is. I used to go to girls schools to wax lyrical about what a rewarding job it is, but since I hit 30, I now realise that people don’t care and it’s a complete boys network. I am fighting so hard, but it’s so tough. Flexibility is terrible. We work 0800-1800, but expected to be in sooner and finish later. You do 8 years of study and it works for a bit when you’re young, great social life, but it’s only with work people. Then when you have family life it’s so tough. I’d love another baby but as my partner and I both work in this field, I don’t know how we can make it work.

NotMeNoNo · 28/02/2022 07:42

@qwill that's an issue for site/contractor based work, because you have to go where the work is, but there are many other roles. Design consultants are office based 9-5 most of the time. Many people in my team do flexible working.

Qwill · 28/02/2022 08:28

@NotMeNoNo
Yes, I was just giving my experience.