What to do AFTER Architecture School (Advice for Graduates)

Advice for architecture students and young professionals. What to do after architecture school, what to expect, and how uncertainty is an integral part of the creative life. In this video, I share excerpts from a conversation I had with Maleick, a 22-year old architecture student from Baltimore. He’s preparing to graduate architecture school this spring, making plans, weighing his options and struggling with the anxiety of not knowing what’s next.

Twenty-two years ago, I stood where Maleick and many of you stand today, entering the profession with the same concerns, the same worries. Today, twenty-two years later, I’m no longer an architect. Yes, I have the degree and the license and buildings I’ve designed but the profession I stepped into back then no longer exists. Today I’m a photographer, a graphic designer, a marketer, a filmmaker, a writer, a negotiator, an editor, a curator, and a creator. There are no more architects in the singular sense of the word. Practice today is anything and everything you design it to be. I’m all these things because I chose optionality over specificity. I want to do more things in life than architecture. I want to make videos, I want to design hardware and t-shirts, I want to print letterpress cards and pursue aerial photography. I have a thousand interests. Adopting the creator’s mindset has allowed me to develop skills that serve a variety of outcomes, and has led me to a most rewarding professional life, full of opportunity.

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[bryangreifinger]

I'm not an architecture student. In fact I'm a retired guy who just enjoys watching your videos. You are wise beyond your years my friend. A person doesn't have to be payed to do what they love. You are what you do. So do what you want to nailed this Thanks again for being

[DesignDrawDo]

This was amazing!! So inspirational as an architecture student already worrying about the future - thank you for being more than "just an architect".

[darriusadams]

Every time I see your video post, it answers questions that I've asked so many times in my mind. Thank you again for this post, and for showing me that Architecture is more than just drawing and sketching buildings. Based on the people, places, and ideas that you've encountered, I have the opportunity and the power to make it into an incredible business! Thank you so much Mr. Reinholdt!

[bottegaarchitecture]

This video and message is not just for recent graduates, but all architecture professionals to reflect back on why they put themselves in this industry. I think having a fear of being average is a lot easier to handle than knowing you might be below average. However, with me, I must take every opportunity to refine my process and product, and with each client I get to do just that, hopefully getting one step closer to a comfortable level of what defines me as a designer, average or not. Thanks for this topic Eric and for connecting a very valid story back to the front of our minds, even if only for 3 minutes and 34 seconds. And good luck to Maleick and all the other grads out there entering this always changing market place.

[ethankeast]

I'm 21 and i just finished my bachelor of architecture, and I've been sitting around for a month bored looking for a internship or work experience so far I've found nothing I'm beginning to fear for my future, but the idea of producing my own architectural content to display on social media inspires me, it sound like a good way to reach out and hopefully catch an employer's interest, i think i might start there.

[zilpavdighada]

I'm in grade 10 and I want to be an architect. I love your videos SO much! They just make me love architecture more!

[archchina]

I surely need to prepare for that before I graduate. Your words sounded like an alarm in my brain and ears. The point of sharing what you had learned at school via social media, definitely it's gonna do wonders. " the more you give, the more you get"

[katmandude]

listen more than you talk is about the best advice you can get. I've heard it over the past 15 years many times. the bit we never get is: after you have listened. talk your peace and make it count..but remember you need to listen first. cheers Malik. welcome to the crazy! hope you find your path!!

[TheSwordCrusher]

This is such a timely video for me. Made me realize it's normal to feel this way. It has got me thinking more for sure, thank you for that, sir. I needed this.

[prism]

I graduated just in time for the 2008 recession. It took months to find a job in architecture and I would have appreciated the reassurance provided in this video. Thanks for sharing.

[abhinav]

"Steping out on your own is uncertain, but it forces up to optimize for results rather than perfection"

As a 22 year old myself, this makes me feel less anxious about my future (not sure how long this would last, but i surely feel calm at this very moment)

[jayster]

Yes! I've recently been thinking about this lately. Not what I want to do after Architecture school, because I think I know, but going to do different things other than architecture. Taking my hobbies and turning them into a business. Getting a YouTube channel up that shows all of this: Art, Photography, Writing my first book, Investing, Real Estate, etc. Don't just want to be one thing. Be a wide range of things ☺ great advice!!!

[jesssmith]

Uh…I’m 44 about to start Architecture school in New Zealand & possibly Australia. It’s something I’ve put off for years but feel like this is the right choice for my future. And if I don’t do it, I’ll regret it. Can’t wait to get started!

[SakiChan]

I just love watching these kinds of videos even tho I'm only an incoming 2nd year and failed one of my major subjects. Still I won't give up. Gotta come back here after 5 yrs. 😊

[RaiRai]

I'm pretty fresh from uni and just left my job to start a multidisciplinary creative business, this video really helped to reassure me - I'd love to see a video or video series from you about how to start up your own business, at least some handy tips :)

[sandracorazon]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos. So inspiring!

[priyadarshinivaradkar]

My Convocation Ceremony is tomorrow... I really needed this... Thank You so much for this video

[michelegambini]

Go for it Maleick! Shred your fear. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain.

[gaiacassia]

i was graduated at 2016, two years wondering around what i should do. back then all the matters was how i got a job, not what i am want to do. sure there is always something to learn, but at the end of the day it feels like i was left behind, i aint got any closer to my dream.

thank you for sharing, you have helped a lot of people like me. you inspire me to take a bigger step, to persue my dream more seriously.

Really looking forward for the next video.

[marcogruzel]

I’ve finished already just waiting for the graduation, I’m so excited and unsure about the future but I’m also looking forward to the challenges, tanks for sharing your perspective on it.