The following is a loose guide on whether or not you are an architect.
First let me just say that if your parents brought you to the local architect company when you were a child, even if they brought you every week, or if you live in a city of people that primarily identify as architects, that doesn’t mean you are actually an architect. You may have been inside the building, you may have even picked up some architect lingo, and you might know how to measure a space or even build a shelf- you might even be good at it, but unless you chose to become an architect, and studied and committed to it, and actively live as an architect, you are NOT an architect.
Can you tell people that you’ve been to an architect building? Yes! Can you tell people about some of your experiences in the building? Yes! Can you claim that you are an expert on architecture? Probably not. Should you tell people that you are an architect? NO!
Maybe you did study to be an architect. Maybe you hung out with a lot of architects for a period of your life. For whatever reason, architecture didn’t jive with you and you didn’t really like or trust the Lead Architect, and you decided to work at an investment firm instead. As an architect who LOVES the Lead Architect and the entire company, and sees it as a really good company, and sees YOU as a person with a lot of potential in architecture, and I think you would really like it, you choosing to seek employment elsewhere makes me really sad. However, it is your choice. I won’t judge you for being an investment banker and I won’t expect you to live like an architect. That wouldn’t be fair. I will still love you, and we can still have coffee together. Architecture is a big part of my life, so I will undoubtedly still talk about it, but I’m not trying to pressure you. I just want to share my passion with you. I hope that’s ok.
If you are not an architect, please do not call yourself an architect. Sometimes people don’t realize they aren’t an architect, and that’s because a lot of architects are really mute about their lives as an architect. But again, if you don’t actually know what an architect is, or have never spent any time with the Lead Architect, and you haven’t chosen to be an architect, then you are not an architect. An architect studies their field extensively. They spend time with the Lead Architect to learn to be an architect like he is. They consistently show up to the company and put in hours and live as an architect. You can tell because they have the blueprints to prove it. An architect does not work for any other companies, because being an architect is a full-time, all-consuming job.
Maybe you really like the idea of the Lead Architect, and some of the company ideals, but you don’t actually work for the firm. You have hung out in the lobby, all of your friends are architects, and you told people you want to work there. You signed a job offer, which was really good, with great benefits. But then you never showed up for work. You have not designed any buildings, and you do not read up about architecture, or attend any meetings. You actually work in insurance. Maybe you really are interested in architecture, but aren’t ready yet to work there, or maybe you just love insurance too much to give it up. Don’t tell people you are an architect. You should be honest about working at the insurance office, because that’s where you are. Don’t try to teach other people about architecture, because you are not an architect. There are a lot of things you don’t understand, that you won’t understand unless you choose to work for the company.
You might really want to work for the architect company but you don’t feel good enough- even though the Lead Architect offered you a position there, and hopes you will take it (most of his training is on the job!). I would encourage you to continue to spend time with the Lead Architect and other architects, and study architecture, but until you are an architect, don’t tell people you are an architect. Tell them you are exploring architecture. Don’t tell someone you can build their building for them. It will be too hard to do without the Lead Architect, and it can hurt the people you are trying to help, because you don’t actually know how to build a building.
If you are not an architect but you tell people you work for the company and then you build a bridge that collapses, it reflects badly on the company, and the company is actually really good at building bridges. If you aren’t an architect, for whatever reason, don’t tell people that you are an architect and that you work for the company. It doesn’t make sense, and it confuses people. Just be honest about where you work! No matter where you want to be in the future, you can only start by being honest about where you currently are.
If you are interested in architecture and you stop by the company and someone in the lobby is mean to you and says you don’t belong in architecture, please be aware that the person who said that is NOT an architect. They may call themselves an architect and might spend A LOT of time in the lobby, but they are not really an architect. Even if they volunteer to hand out building maps and look very official, they are not an architect. If there is one thing that is true about ALL real architects, it is that they are always looking to expand the company, and more than anything they want you to know the Lead Architect. (By the way, the Lead Architect is super accessible- you don’t need to be in the company or even know any architects to meet him- He’s often wandering around town interacting with people. He’s very relational!)
An architect knows that the Lead Architect is worth working for, and also knows that the Lead Architect WANTS to have you at the company. Anyone who tries to discourage you from that truth is NOT an architect.
You probably have an intense criminal record. Some people are aware of their criminal record and some people are not. Please know that the Lead Architect knows you have a criminal record, and wants to clear it for you and help you maintain a clear record from then on. He knows you will not come to his company with a clean record already. You do not need to try to impress the Lead Architect with a perfect record and lots of job experience. In fact, you can’t. The only way to get a clean record and job experience is to work with the Lead Architect.
If you think your record is already clean, you are wrong, plain and simple. If you are willing and want to be an architect, the Lead Architect will show you where you have committed crimes. That can be painful, but please know he is only showing you so that you can grow and be healthy, not so that you feel bad about yourself. Remember, he will clear your record, so you do not need to be afraid of the consequences of your crimes. The Lead Architect has already served jail time for you, so that you do not need to, because the debt is paid. Conversely, if you think your criminal record is too long, you are wrong, plain and simple. The architect really wants you (yes, even YOU) to work with him at the company. If you are willing to expose your crimes, he will wipe them for you. No problem!
There will be other companies that say you do not need to have your record wiped, and that you do not need to make any changes. You might decide you want to work for one of those companies. It seems easier. Please be aware that even if the lobby is ritzier and the pay is better in the first couple years, the long-term benefits plan does not even compare. Other companies do not care what happens to you when you are too tired to work. The Architect company has an excellent retirement plan. It is important to think long-term.
If you decide you do want to be an architect, all you have to do is accept the Lead Architect’s employment offer and let the company know. You are in! Your criminal record is wiped, and you have a great boss and an eternal retirement plan that most would consider to be Heaven. To read more about what to expect as an architect, click here.
The Words of My Mouth 