Randy Deutsch - Adapt As An Architect: A Mid-Career Companion

Even more than architects who leave the profession each year are those who remain never to reach their full potential; who subsist instead of persist; who may have found their niche but one that no longer resembles the path they pursued. This book is for them.

Fig 0.1: Architects may not be the most adaptable animal. Camels illustrated throughout this book are perfectly adapted to their natural environments. But humans are the most adaptable species

The best way out is always through.

Robert Frost

At mid-career, you are either on a career path or you are not.

Joining the executive level is not the goal of every architect, especially for the emerging and rising cohort of professionals, including the majority who work in rms too small to have such things.

Which is a good thing, as aspiring to rm leadership is no longer the only option, and leadership can occur at any rung of the company ladder.

Some are not sure how they arrived on the path they are on, while others may want to explore how to get off their current path to try another within their organisation or eld without making any unnecessary or catastrophic career mis-steps.

Some, through no fault of their own especially with the current pandemic and economic recession, may have been forced off their path for unforeseen reasons, and are wondering which way to turn or what their next steps ought to be to ensure this doesnt happen again.

Youve come to realise that how you arrived at where you are wont help you with where you want to go (running counter to a sentiment that, until now, has helped employees climb within their organisation).

You may be asking yourself: How do I persevere as a practitioner while remaining rejuvenated, relevant and resilient without losing sight of how to leverage and capitalise on my existing knowledge and skills?

Many architects even as soon as ve years into their post-college careers say that they no longer use anything they learned in school. So how can rising design professionals make the most of what theyve acquired along the way their experience and expertise, but also their relationships and network to help their careers remain effective, fullling and long?

We seek to be mentored by those who have persevered and who thrive in their careers. By those who know which of the four qualities for a fullling career in architecture perseverance, resilience, brilliance and prescience are really required. We would all like to become resilient throughout our career, and learn how to do so without becoming hardened, reticent or withdrawn. And to be able to anticipate what is on the horizon so we can be prepared.

Along with the rst book in this series, Think Like An Architect, this book, Adapt As An Architect: A Career Companion aims to support, nurture and promote the growth of architects in the developing stages of their careers.

This my sixth book is my most personal. I share stories, triumphs, reinventions and massive failures alongside those of others, all with the intention of helping you on your own path.

The books premise is simple: how to make the most of your career prospects without having to leave the profession or industry. Architecture as a career certainly doesnt make staying easy, especially for those who nd themselves nearing mid-career, or in the thick of it.