What I learned on my Journey To Become an Architect

00:51 Highschool
4:12 Architecture School
8:45 My first experience working in the field
14:30 Master’s of architecture (Ryerson University)
18:35 My second job as an intern architect (Vancouver)
23:16 The process of becoming an architect
25:15 Covid, Interior design job
32:43 Conclusion

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Principles: Life and Work:
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

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I'm Dami, a licensed Architect living in Vancouver, BC. I make videos about architecture, career, and creativity.

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[thelightkeeper]

“Enthusiasm is common and endurance is rare” That just hit me like a ton of bricks.
I got my bachelors in architecture last year, took a small break then spent half a year looking for jobs and has finally got one in an small firm. It really is the endurance and perseverance to achieve my goals that has kept me going.
This video was amazing. You are amazing. Please keep making them. It’s great to hear a female voice in the architecture world.
Just added Grit into my book library.

[healthyhoney]

im 32 and half way thru a nursing degree but my dream is after this degree is to become a architect, im lucky to live in sweden where uni is for free but they do require really good grades :) hope to make this dream come thru, thanks for your videos they are so inspiring and informativ

[connorsmith]

Although I never was in architecture school, I was in urban planning so I often times worked with architecture students. I know this is an older video, but here is my advice. I would take a couple of architecture drawing classes if you’re interested. I took an architecture sketching class, because it was required for urban planning. My teacher was let’s say, “unique”, but the way he viewed design was like no other person I’ve seen before. My official degree title is “Environmental Design”, but I highly recommend getting into that degree if you find that architecture isn’t for you. It will change the way you view everything around you, it may drive you a little crazy at times, but I promise it will change your life!

[upunlfx]

Hi! I am graduating architecture uni soon. Had my ups and downs. Also becoming an architect gives me into mixed feelings. Sometimes I wanted to quit so badly, had a break and was fine again, i guess it were just burnouts. Love your vids, Dami! Hope one day I'll be as glad as you with my decisions and projects, it's all about time and growth.

[我让它发生]

I feel like you don't only talk about architecture.
Your videos are super educational and a lot of people can learn from them even people like who don't want to pursue architecture.
You tackle a lot of subjects surrounding your career and our society and bring an architectural perspective on it .
That's why even though I probably will never design a building I still love your content .

[duartnadia]

Thank you so so so much for being so COURAGEOUS and AUTHENTIC educating us and building this community. You have no idea how much you help me. I’m also an architect and there’s a lot no one tell us, normally everybody hides their lessons learned or their growth process. Thank you.

[santircastillo]

I’m 28 and finishing my PhD in the biomedical sciences. I’m confident and hopeful about my future, but I’ve had to make hard decisions and disappoint people on the way, and I’m ok with that. Greetings from Minnesota, I really enjoy your videos ✌🏽

[timkeng]

Hi Dami! Great video as always! Your journey was definitely relatable for me because I’ve been in similar situations in the past and even today. I’ve finished my bachelors 3 years ago and was suppose to apply for my license last year, but due to the pandemic my internship was hindered and a lot of things were delayed. That was indeed a “pain + reflection = growth” moment. Now I’ve resumed my internship in a small local architectural firm and have somewhat adapted this “kaizen” mentality, in which really lines up with what you’ve been pointing out in several of your videos. Finding your channel was what you could say serendipity and I’m lucky and grateful to have you as my online mentor!

[Metawen]

I just started watching you recently but I'm already such a fan. Thank you so much for being so open about your career and the industry! You make it seem a lot less exclusive and more achievable!

[happysmileylips]

I very much appreciate how excited you are about architecture and how you describe it because i feel like i don't put forth the effort needed to enjoy talking about architecture on a deeper level. I tend to look at my classmates who are expressive over past architects/buildings as if they are pretending to take interest just for a good grade. But, the way you explain and describe it is so expressive and i really appreciate the seriousness combined with the love for architecture that you display in your video. Hope that makes sense.

[AvenEngineer]

I'm 40 this year, and I've had at least 3 distinctly different careers so far. The thing that gets me down at this point is, life being too short to learn and do everything I find interesting.

[maribelderojas]

Thank you, Dami for sharing your journey. I wish I had this when I was in high school. Hope young people navigating decision processes could listen and learn from this information.

[MrAdryan]

These videos are really fascinating, so interesting to hear your story and your feelings and how architecture and your schooling, etc, changed your life. It's all very neat to hear and done of your experiences sounds so fun! Thanks for these videos, they're really great

[cristinarodriguez]

I can relate in so many aspects. You are an asset to the new generation and I wish I had someone like you to learn from way back when I started.

[eunicealmogueracalvero]

Hi @DamiLee I am a Highschool student in the Philippines I really like drawing even though it's not that good and I am still practicing, I know that there's a reason why I like drawing. Its because I enjoyed watching Architecture and making new creative things! I have learned a lot and been growing when watching your videos!

[bmacias]

Great video Dami! I am new to your channel and have been in this business for almost 20 years. I love what you said about being an active learner. This is something I rediscovered as of late and I am so happy I did. I will keep watching. Thank you again.

[bachle]

I am going through a tough journey, and I feel like a heavy baggage. But as you said in the video, "something can be monumental to you in the moment, it can be relatively small to other people." I will find my way to remove that baggage and improve myself more. I hope to find a community of people on my same path soon!

[ingridchacon]

Hi Dani I found your content at first in Tick Tock and then your YouTube channel. I really enjoy all of your content it is ver educational. I have my BA in business and have been in the workforce for many years. I am finally being true to myself and finally have the courage to pursue my true dreams and that is to study architecture. Thank you for your advice sharing your journey. Everything is soooo helpful and interesting. Thanks again.

[DrTonytonychopper]

Hi DamiLee. I recently found your channel as I've always been fascinated in architecture. But this video couldn't have come at a better time. I graduated as a Civil Engineer 4 years ago and now pursing a similar license/accreditation for my field. Your advice has been golden and just wanted to offer my thanks.

[giuseppegordillo]

Thank you Dami for sharing your journey. I just started architecture school in Maryland and really hope I can use some of your tips to help me along the way in becoming an architect.