The College of Fellows and the Young Architect's Forum recently started a quarterly webinar series. I 'attended' the first session, entitled "Getting Work" on March 17th.
I found the session to be... not at all what I expected. It was, however, very interesting and fulfilling. I look forward to 'attending' the remaining three in the series.
The premise of the series, that our development as professionals is equally as important as our development as designers and theorists, was very compelling. I have always held a deep interest in the workings of a profitable, successful firm. I got into architecture strictly because of my passion for it, but I never want to be so incapable of turning a profit that I have to make the platitude "well, I didn't get into architecture for the money" work.
At I.S:A, I'm fortunate to have a very strong advocate for my personal and professional growth. And of course, being in a small firm, you have much more access to the consequences of your daily actions.
I think the thing I took away most from this webinar was that I should pursue my extracurricular interests, such as Toastmasters, Literacy Volunteers and Rochester Young Professionals. I had been writing them down on my to-do list but never getting to them, because they weren't as 'architectural' as studying for the ARE's (all passed! saying that will never get old!) or the LEED exam. But the point that was made in this webinar is that they are not only indirectly architectural, it is their non-standardization that is valuable. You'll develop skills you wouldn't in a firm setting, and have access to non-architects. Who, while inspiring and eye-opening in their own right, might eventually become clients. The point was, these non-architectural extra-curriculars are win-win-win for the intern, their community, and their firm.
Now, I just have to get out there more!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
a four day Lunch N Learn
Last week, I went on a four day tour with Marvin Windows. Ten of us met at the Rochester airport and headed to Minneapolis. We then drove over the border to Wisconsin, where we went on a tour of the Cardinal Glass Factory
took a walking tour of Minneapolis architecture,
and then headed up to Warroad Minnesota to spend a few days touring the Marvin Factory,
learning more about their company and products.
I really enjoyed meeting others from my profession, who live and work in the same region. This was very different from my usual AIA-type activities, where I do meet plenty of people, but they're largely already acquaintances, and they're almost entirely associates or very young professionals. On this trip, I had access to firm leaders and principals with 20+ years of experience, and the difference in perspective, conversational focus and project knowledge was exhilerating.
We had a local AIA volunteer take us on the Architectural Tour of Minneapolis, and that was just a really great time. I enjoyed the variety of architectural styles, scales, materials... we saw humble buildings and ones I'd studied in school or for the AREs. My friends and family definitely humor me when I'm turning our trip into an architectural adventure, but it was a whole different experience to be surrounded by others who took at least as much interest in the details, shadows and material terminations as I did.
Overall, the trip was surprisingly exhausting, but very fulfilling. I was able to reflect on the people I have access to and on personal goals about where to go in my career, all while being very generously hosted.
took a walking tour of Minneapolis architecture,
and then headed up to Warroad Minnesota to spend a few days touring the Marvin Factory,
learning more about their company and products.
I really enjoyed meeting others from my profession, who live and work in the same region. This was very different from my usual AIA-type activities, where I do meet plenty of people, but they're largely already acquaintances, and they're almost entirely associates or very young professionals. On this trip, I had access to firm leaders and principals with 20+ years of experience, and the difference in perspective, conversational focus and project knowledge was exhilerating.
We had a local AIA volunteer take us on the Architectural Tour of Minneapolis, and that was just a really great time. I enjoyed the variety of architectural styles, scales, materials... we saw humble buildings and ones I'd studied in school or for the AREs. My friends and family definitely humor me when I'm turning our trip into an architectural adventure, but it was a whole different experience to be surrounded by others who took at least as much interest in the details, shadows and material terminations as I did.
Overall, the trip was surprisingly exhausting, but very fulfilling. I was able to reflect on the people I have access to and on personal goals about where to go in my career, all while being very generously hosted.
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