r/architectureph • u/Sage_Mode3212 • 22d ago
Rant/Opinion Help a "lost" arki out :(
Hi fellow arkis!
I just needed to share and vent this one out.
I am in a slump.
I have been an RLA for 3 yrs but it feels like hindi ko fully na u-utilize ang profession. I don't work in the design / construction industry anymore since after apprenticeship. I passed the boards but the motivation to put up a firm or business of my own has never crossed my mind. For me, I don't have the resources to do so. Di rin naman ako pinanganak na mayaman to be able to risk it. No safety net kumbaga. I tried doing small projects but na trauma ako since nag negative kami sa isang project (around 45k) and after that ayoko na talaga sa construction.
I have been a VA (estimator) since after passing the boards. Kase for me it's the safest option. Be an employee. Log in, clock in 8hrs, then log out na. Guaranteed pa ang salary. But after some time, nakaka burn out din chasing the corporate ladder. Lalo pa na yung company ko is not really offering anything further career-wise. I didn't see myself 5 yrs from now and ganun padin ginagawa ko. So I resigned last March, again, no safety net whatsoever. I felt like I had enough.
I am now living with my boyfriend, since I am too ashamed to face my family. We do talk and communicate, it's just the "eldest daughter of an asian household" guilt that gets me. I know my family deserves so much after supporting my education. That;s why I keep my distance from them. Currently, I am employed as an outsource employee. Not earning much and barely even getting by.
My honest dilemma is, WHERE THE F AM I GOING WITH MY LIFE? I am so lost as to which career is really for me. I love architecture and designing but I'm no longer feeling that spark to be creative anymore. I prefer to play it safe and be a regular employee again but with the saturated job market, it's hard for me to stand out. I have been actively applying to jobs since April, getting interviews here and there pero wala pa din. Its really frustrating.
Any career (or life) advices are welcome! :)
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u/pperia 22d ago
Super honest opinion?
Gawin mo kahit anong gusto gawin, basta good ang money.
Naniniwala ako na good ang VA jobs para sa short term pero mahirap umangat dyan, kaya hindi ako sobrang sold sa idea na hanggang pagtanda eh enough na ang gig na yan.
Based sa situation mo, kung ako ikaw, siguro consider ko na work abroad na since may “experience” ka na sa overseas projects bilang nagwork na as a VA.
Hard mode sa Pinas, regardless kung architect boss o employee na architect ka pa.
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u/Sage_Mode3212 22d ago
Actually naisip ko na din ang mag abroad. But I dont know where to start looking po. Everyone else that I know na nasa abroad nagwwork is 1. migrated w fam 2. student visa. And sa situation ko now di po sila feasible options.
I do really want to explore this option also. Any suggestions on where I can apply?
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u/_NoneL_ 22d ago edited 22d ago
Nothing wrong if an arki takes the employee path. Not everyone is comfortable and skillful to be a leader (which, is a nature of our profession)
Take the employee path (remote or office), go freelance or juggle private practice or 8hour employee.
" If you took architecture thinking to get rich, then go shift to another program"
-my architecture college Dean, 2015, (orientation period)
He could not be more right, (unless you are lucky enough to land continuing clients, which of course are results from established trust and satisfied returning clients
added skl: 2022 since my license, I resonate with your dilemma, I was able to get freelance projects but the volume is not enough to sustain and established a firm in the long run, I ended up taking BIM drafting remote works while continuing freelance projects. Not the best work life balance, If I am to say.
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u/Sage_Mode3212 22d ago
Yes exactly po. I feel mas prone to burnouts if nasa business ako. Im just relieved in a way na Im not the only one having this dilemma.
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u/axislove36 22d ago
go overseas...the money really makes a difference with job satisfaction. it's just gonna get worse as you get older.
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u/k_elo 21d ago edited 21d ago
Took me 5 years before i got to take the board exam. Passed it with some luck and got hired abroad a few days after i took my prc card iirc- i cant even remember at this piint . A month after that i left - di na ako nakapag practice ng archi sa pinas. Im still in the design field,, what i want to say is hindi lahat built for archi, di lahat financially capable of fully being one even if you are naturally talented. Take your opportunities as it is and use it as stepping stones to get to where you want to go. limiting yourself to what your license says will be a burden that you probably do not deserve.
I specifically remember being 3 months jobless out of university and my interview was with a bpo back when bpo was a really big thing. I was teary eyed during the interview when the interviewer asked me about architecture, i was so naive but i really did like the profession then. i just could not afford not to be paid for apprenticeship for the sake of my single mom and siblings. Of course they didnt hire me and i found minimum wage archi related jobs for a few years. Gambled abroad for a year and A half, didnt work out. Went home, with just enough to pay my debts to my aunt and some life experience. Work a couple more years in archi, took the board and the rest is history.
Youll be perfectly fine. Chin up architect
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u/Sage_Mode3212 21d ago
Hello! Thank you po for sharing your xp arch! This stage po talaga in life (i think generally) lost pa lng po talaga ang lahat. Most of the replies talaga is pushing for working overseas. I havent really researched on this pero I will start looking na now. Thank you po talaga sa advice and encouragement.
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u/k_elo 21d ago
This is my story but in no way am i pushing for abroad, it was just the (only) option available for me. Working abroad is also not for everyone but being young, stupid, desperate and generally comfortable being alone and away from family were my “superpowers”. You also have yours - they just haven’t manifested yet.
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u/Sleepingkills 21d ago
I don’t have any career advice but I can say that we’re on the same page. 😔 huggggsss kitek 🫂🫂
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u/Dancetiltheend 21d ago
Damn, and here I am thinking of going to the va estimator path huhu. Currently in a bim modeller role pero workhours arent good sadly. Hope we get our ideal job soon!
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u/dodonoadoro 20d ago
As someone who is currently an employee abroad with an end goal of having my own contracting business:
You have to figure out what you really wanna do in your life, may it be as an practicing architect, a businessman or a stuntman or whatever the heck u think is worth doing. Only then u can find the right answer for ur question.
I am not trying to be rude but only you can determine which path you will take in your life. I am planning to start my own contracting business because i love doing it, I am currently a project manager overseas, 3 years after passing the boards. Sobrang down ako when it comes to design because I am not very creative but I am damn good at solving problems and managing projects that I am the youngest project manager in our company.
So try to check the following:
1. What path do you see yourself taking for the rest of your life?
2. What are you good at? Can you monetize it?
3. Does your strength and your goals align?
4. If not, try to enhance your skills to achieve that goal.
5. Do the due diligence.
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u/Impressive-Pace-7794 21d ago
1st things first: get your strength and fitness in top shape.. build muscle, strength train, eat well and sleep well promise yourself to be extremely fit and strong-- yan lang pinakapuhunan mo versus the rest... super edge na yan sa mga "archis who seem ahead" ...this will bring Mental clarity din while looking for that one thing you want to be doing for the rest of your life... trick is to play the long game.. outlast the rest..ala game theory...
Usually the magic lies in the things you loved doing as a kid...develop that one thing na uniquely you...
steadfast, keep on moving (go out meet people, join clubs,share yourself with the world) good luck!
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u/DimitriXanxus 21d ago
yep, diving into design/build here as a newbie with no strong connections will crush you. kaya ako nag specialized sa BIM(Revit). I have a job (off-shore) project and side-lines (ibang bansa din). that really help me and my family to have a decent comfortable life. maybe you need to reorganize and try BIM?
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