Friday Reflection: Careers

Haha, Architect Barbie!

I just realized today that it has been about 9 months since I last worked in my field of “architecture”.  I put that in quotes because my last job was technically in exhibit design.  Anyways, I also realized that I have not missed it.   This realization is a bit troubling to me.  I have worked hard to get where I am, but now that I have taken a step back from my career, I realize the work itself is not what I loved about the field when I was in college.

In Architecture School, we designed our own projects, we drew everything by hand, and made models.  We also traveled a LOT!  I loved college!  I know there is a stigma around architecture students never been seen in the light of day, but that’s because we were having so much fun in the studio.  We were passionate about our projects and our work, and surrounded by other passionate artists.  Sadly, an architecture firm is anything but this.

Maybe that’s not entirely true, there are firms out there that capture the studio spirit.  I just feel lost and a little let down it wasn’t all what it was cracked up to be.  Lately, I find myself missing being at home.  Not because I want to sit on the couch and watch full seasons of Gray’s Anatomy.  I miss being in my studio upstairs getting lost in my drawings, lost in my art, while still having the time to have fun in the kitchen creating wonderful meals every night of the week.  Man, I miss those meals every time I pop a frozen pizza into the oven.

I do not have a nice tidy answer as to where to take my career from here, but I do not need to have one just yet.  In the meantime, I will just keep chugging along letting my sub-conscience work the kinks out.  It’s good to reflect on your life from time to time and adjust the things that aren’t giving you much fulfillment.  Then again I know I am a dreamer and you can’t chase down every dream.  Happy Friday!

Architect Barbie found here

Work at Home, or In an Office?

So far this has been a busy week.  I had an interview with Starbucks on Monday and I got the job.  It is just an entry-level barista position, but there is a lot of room to grow and it’s a fairly flexible schedule.  Plus the manager is super nice!  My plan is to work the morning shift, spend my afternoons on Mrs. Pea’s stuff, and relax with Mr. Pea in the evening.  Going in at 6am is not going to be so fun, but getting out at 2:30pm is perfect.  If this proves to be too much, I always have the option to cut down my hours to part-time.

Of course yesterday I got a call from a recruiter looking to fill an architect position.  I have been out of work since September and this is the first peep from my field in all that time.  As they say, when it rains it pours!  So I met with her this morning and while this particular position wasn’t right for me, they are going to keep an eye out.  I learned long ago, never say no to an interview.

However, this has stirred up a lot of conflict in mind.  For months now I have worked towards building an online business, and I see taking a job at Starbucks a continuation of that.  The money from that job will help fund the Mrs. Pea’s project.  Right now, an independent career has become very important to Mr. Pea and I as we’d like to start having little Peas running around.  On the other hand, my career in architecture is something I’ve been working on since I was 15 years old and not a career to walk away from lightly.  Heck, I’m not even sure I am walking away from it exactly, but taking a few years off means it’s going to be harder to get back in.

In my mind I am having the age-old struggle of deciding to stay home with the kids (at least until school aged) vs. child care from the get go and continuing the career path.  This debate has plagued me ever since I started thinking about careers in high school and now is the time I need to start gearing up for one or the other.  The idea of putting a 3 month old into child care has never sat well with me.  My mother stayed home with us, but always had side businesses running out of the house.  Her model has always seemed to be my answer, and it feels great working on my own terms now.  The last few years have been tough as an architect.  It feels good knowing that if this business makes it we don’t have to choose between career and child care.

I know people change careers all the time.  I also know I am not alone in this struggle, and feel grateful we are in a position where we have this option.  But I have to know, where do you weigh in on this issue?

Related Articles, featuring both sides:

Sometimes Giving Up a Career to be a Stay at Home Mom is the Right Choice

Am I too cleaver to stay at home?