I'm still traveling into unknown territory, but here's a link I found inspiring:
TED talks: Jacqueline Novogratz: Inspiring a life of immersion
While I was trying to get my career on track and sending resume after resume out to every job listing I qualified for, I realized that there were certain websites that I was continually being drawn to and there were the ones I felt I had to look at in order to get employed. These were the bookmarked pages I looked at everyday that listed all the new architecture job openings in a 50 mile radius. They all said the same things: they needed someone with at least 3-5 years experience, that knew AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, or Nemetschek Allplan, knew how to put together a set of construction documents, and that were flexible, creative, and were ready to work for an amazing firm that had exciting projects. Mostly they wanted someone who could sit in front of a computer 12-14 hours a day and not complain about it.
There were two firms I found that I did find interesting: one that had a link to a project where they built a school in Nepal, and one that was building a Convention Center in Rwanda. The firm with the project in Nepal, I found out later, that this school project seemed to be a one time deal. It was a project they were happy to do, but they were busy building super cool modern designs here, and weren't going to put more energy and resources in to other charitable projects. The firm with the project in Rwanda had a different approach. This firm, I thought had potential. They put together a conference and a gallery opening showing the project and making a big deal about the collaboration between the two countries. But when I looked more deeply into it, I found out that the project wasn't giving much to the Rwandans except for an expensive building to somehow take care of after the Germans designers and the Chinese construction workers had gone.
I was slowly losing faith. I wanted to work in architecture. I wanted to have projects I found meaningful. I wanted to provide shelter and schools and community centers for people who really need it, but I couldn't find anyone else who was doing what I wanted to do.
That's when I realized I needed to live a life of immersion. I needed to follow the projects that meant something to me. I needed to stop listening to all the people giving me practical advice on jobs I should apply for. This meant I was on my own. That I had to find the projects and find the funding and find the people who think the way I do, all on my own. It's a scary road to go down, but it's a lot more fun than banging my head against the desk trying to apply for a job that would leave me bored and frustrated.
I challenge you to follow your dream and fully immerse yourself into the unknown. You'll be surprised at all the bliss you'll find.
TED talks: Jacqueline Novogratz: Inspiring a life of immersion
While I was trying to get my career on track and sending resume after resume out to every job listing I qualified for, I realized that there were certain websites that I was continually being drawn to and there were the ones I felt I had to look at in order to get employed. These were the bookmarked pages I looked at everyday that listed all the new architecture job openings in a 50 mile radius. They all said the same things: they needed someone with at least 3-5 years experience, that knew AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, or Nemetschek Allplan, knew how to put together a set of construction documents, and that were flexible, creative, and were ready to work for an amazing firm that had exciting projects. Mostly they wanted someone who could sit in front of a computer 12-14 hours a day and not complain about it.
There were two firms I found that I did find interesting: one that had a link to a project where they built a school in Nepal, and one that was building a Convention Center in Rwanda. The firm with the project in Nepal, I found out later, that this school project seemed to be a one time deal. It was a project they were happy to do, but they were busy building super cool modern designs here, and weren't going to put more energy and resources in to other charitable projects. The firm with the project in Rwanda had a different approach. This firm, I thought had potential. They put together a conference and a gallery opening showing the project and making a big deal about the collaboration between the two countries. But when I looked more deeply into it, I found out that the project wasn't giving much to the Rwandans except for an expensive building to somehow take care of after the Germans designers and the Chinese construction workers had gone.
I was slowly losing faith. I wanted to work in architecture. I wanted to have projects I found meaningful. I wanted to provide shelter and schools and community centers for people who really need it, but I couldn't find anyone else who was doing what I wanted to do.
That's when I realized I needed to live a life of immersion. I needed to follow the projects that meant something to me. I needed to stop listening to all the people giving me practical advice on jobs I should apply for. This meant I was on my own. That I had to find the projects and find the funding and find the people who think the way I do, all on my own. It's a scary road to go down, but it's a lot more fun than banging my head against the desk trying to apply for a job that would leave me bored and frustrated.
I challenge you to follow your dream and fully immerse yourself into the unknown. You'll be surprised at all the bliss you'll find.
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