Does anyone actually like their job? Do you get genuine joy out of what you do? I'm at a loss. I have worked 3 very different jobs in my career since graduating almost 5 years ago. My degree is in Interior Design but I have work experience and background in Architectural Design. I feel like I'm losing my mind, I loved school and I didn't mind my first two jobs, though I didn't have a passion for their work. I moved to what I thought was going to be my dream job and I've never been unhappier.

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I feel the same… I’ve worked two jobs as a junior architectural designer, having graduated from architecture three years ago. My life is just 40hrs a week, staring at a screen in a quiet office, very little social interaction. It feels so unhealthy. I was actually thinking about moving into interior design, hoping I might get to go on site more? Also, I thought maybe with interior design projects, one might get to complete a few of them in a year, and actually see them to completion, rather than working on architectural projects for months/years without ever seeing a single brick laid. I just worked in the US for a year (1-year visa), now I’m back home, dreading applying for my next job. Any advice would be very welcome…

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Agree - 40 hrs of screen time, sitting 38 hours in my tiny area with little interaction. I find myself talking to myself. I do enjoy putting a house together structurally. Figuring out how to layout our roof raters, floor joists and beams.

Lately there have been 20 priorities from multiple departments and higher ups all the while being the only one in my department.

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Start working for yourself. It's the only way to have all of the creative control that made you happy in school.

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It also sounds like your office culture is just not a right fit for you. It maybe sounded like a dream job, but what’s on paper doesn’t always translate to the day to day. Ask for new responsibilities, or go to a new firm. In this economy it’s really not worth it to not be happy with where you work.

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I’d advise specializing and becoming a team lead for your firm. That way you can use your office as a resource to research or push forward an agenda that you’re passionate about (AI, sustainability, business development, etc). You can also sit on committees for third party organizations (materials, peer groups, etc.) which could be fun for you and look good for your office.

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Architecture should be design school first - get a taste of the variety of options within the greater field of design and then find architecture naturally as a process of specializing much as a doctor would.

Architecture as a practice sucks. Most of the time you don’t get to do what you did in school. It’s the greatest disconnect of all.

My advice - consider what you really like to do and maybe find a way to do that, even if it takes fully leaving the practice and going back to school. Also know that architecture and its practice is very useful and something that can be used in many other practice and design areas. I know many people who have pivoted into areas like art, digital design, Ux/ui, construction, manufacturing, art direction, property development, etc.

Whatever you do, don’t wait. I’m 43 and leaving just now. knew at 26 but stuck around anyway. I’ve had a great

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Yeah. It’s generally a pretty crappy industry with a few bright spots. Most of those bright spots are people who did their own thing or are independently wealthy or both. But how the whole industry is running is far from how designers think or how other design sectors work.

I agree with the person who said go out on your own. Either way, pivot into something you control. Other sectors don’t have the crazy backwards forms of organization or the ego (so much at least).

You’re young. Your skills are transferable, especially interior design. Maybe there’s a geographical move in your future too? Maybe a bigger market.

I think you know that it’s not working. Be honest with yourself. Take the leap. Good luck to you. It’s a great adventure.

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