After five years away from architecture I wonder if I’ve lost my chance of a career
I graduated in 2008 with a BA (Hons) in architecture. I worked for a practice for two years, which I loved, until the recession saw my contract end.
I had my only child later that year, but felt financial pressure to get back to work after four months. A local company was hiring admin staff and I took the post hoping it would be a temporary fix. Famous last words, as more than four years later I am still here.
I work 45 hours a week for minimal pay despite the company knowing my skills and capabilities. All my attempts to work my way up have resulted in me doing much more than my meagre job description and a 4% pay rise. I’ve talked to my manager who is sympathetic but says little can be done.
My child is now in school and, while I know that I should be getting a new job, I feel trapped as I have been out of the industry for five years.
I have considered part-time retraining, but the fees are staggering. I hope I haven’t missed my chance to have a fulfilling career.
Jeremy says
I certainly don’t think you’ve missed your chance. You’ve still got your degree in architecture – and despite what it must feel like, five years is not an impossibly long time to be out of the business.
I suspect, however, that you’d be wise to abandon any thought of progression within your current company. You’re stuck with the image of a member of the admin staff – who, conveniently for the firm, is able and willing to take on quite a lot of extra work while still being paid little. As long as you’re prepared to accept these terms, there is little incentive for your company to advance your cause. (I’m not even certain that this company has any real connection with architecture?)
So put aside your pessimism: I suggest you make a firm mental resolution to look for another job starting right now – and one, centrally, in the field of architecture. You should certainly talk to the practice for whom you worked for two years after graduating. The recession obliged them not to renew your contract, but their business may well have picked up. Even if they have no immediate vacancies themselves, the chances are they’d be happy to see you and give you some useful advice about where to look and who to approach. Did they give you a reference when you left them? If not, you should ask for one now.
And don’t let that five-year gap get you down. Everyone knows we’ve been through difficult times – and you had a child to look after. Just let your renewed enthusiasm shine through; be prepared to be extremely persistent; and you could soon be back on track.
Readers say
• Initially, you need to look for modest jobs within the architectural environment A quick Google search shows these jobs are out there at a technician or assistant level. Maybe these would get you a foot in the door. Anyway – look for jobs that are a match with what you can sensibly aim for within the industry. Target the larger firms as there will be more opportunity to progress, potentially more support, and opportunities for financial assistance to take on additional retraining. Once you’ve got yourself back in the industry you can advance your career so it becomes the fulfilling job you seek. starterforten
• As you have a good couple of years post-part one experience, you should be able to get in somewhere that will pay as much or a bit more than you are on now. If you prove a positive asset they may assist you if you went back to do your part two on a part-time basis. I know of people who have benefited from this approach. If it’s what you love doing you shouldn’t give up. croz
• There are many different types of jobs in architecture. A friend of mine trained as an architect but didn’t like the long hours, travel and low pay. So, she became a project manager for an architectural firm, and now has a higher salary and more regular hours. Granted, being a bureaucrat isn’t perhaps as fun as being a “creative”, but she’s happy. SwissedCottage
I need a career change – but how to combine my skills with helping people?
Is it ever too late for a career change? I am 35, single with no children, and work as a creative artworker for a printing company predominately doing work for large high street retailers. I’ve been in this position for eight years, and before that I was a graphic designer for three years, straight out of university.
While I enjoy the processes – both creative and technical – I am no longer happy where I am. I feel I have become stagnant and there is no future for me. The work doesn’t feel worthwhile; what I mean by that is that it doesn’t help anyone. I have a genuine need to use my skill set to help others, but am not sure how to break out and do that.
Oddly, I have also worked with my dad as a carpet fitter (on and off) for the past 20 years, picking up a lot of valuable experience. Friends keep asking why I don’t do that for a living instead.
I suppose I am more than a little scared of change and its risks, but I feel that if I don’t do something I am really going to regret it and not be happy. So, advice, criticism, comment or speculation would be greatly appreciated.
Jeremy says
I suspect you’re interested in the carpet-fitting as an option because it’s there, it’s different, and you know you can do it. In other words, it would be a relatively risk-free change of direction. But it fails to meet either of your key criteria – and unless you somehow satisfy them both, I think you’ll go on being unhappy.
You have a set of skills, both creative and technical, that can be of use in all sorts of occupations. And ideally, you’d like to put those skills to work in a way that helps others. So you should make a firm resolution to pursue both those aims – and you should share that resolution with friends. Making a goal public is a great help in strengthening resolve.
I think you’re most likely to find what you’re looking for locally. Cast your mind freely: who in your vicinity is doing good things, helping people, in both the public and private sectors, and have the – perhaps only occasional – need for the sort of work you do? Don’t rule out the possibility of working with more than one; you could easily find that you build quite a local reputation for yourself.
Another advantage of this approach is that you could probably begin to do it while still keeping your job at the printing company – and let it build slowly.
Readers say
• Instead of changing career you should consider expanding the one you have. Digital is the future. Before making any drastic changes, consider classes in digital design, web design, web development and digital art. See how you like it. Consider how you could apply that to what you do now. Don’t throw away your current achievements before exploring those possibilities. bcarey
• Why would carpet fitting “help” people more? If you’re looking something meaningful, I’m not sure you’ll find that much more rewarding – and certainly it will involve less of your graphic skills. HellsKitchenGuy
• Setting up a creative agency that caters to the third sector may be a great way of applying your skills to a sector that helps people. Charities pay people for design work, and your professional knowledge from working with blue chip companies will be a great selling point, particularly if you use existing contacts to add value in some way to the basic design offer. zeefor
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.
