Caela J. McKeever traces the ways in which the gap between the passion of architecture school and the stark realities of professional practice are discouraging young architects.
Are architecture schools failing to prepare their students for the realities of professional life? Are architecture firms consumed by a lack of respect for design integrity and individual effort? Are young architects unrealistic in their expectations for the speed of professional success? All three may be contributing to the widespread dissatisfaction and disappointment with the architecture profession felt by McKeever and her young colleagues, some of whom have abandoned the profession, while many others struggle to stay in it.
"Those who have left the field have no regrets about
initially pursuing an architectural education even after the recession
forced many laid-off interns to consider a career change earlier than
they may have initially considered," notes McKeever. "But in order to maintain the health
of the profession, a fundamental change in how young interns are
integrated into the design environment, and in how they apply their
education, needs to occur."
Read the full story: How the economy upended young architects' hopes
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Brightline Florida files for bankruptcy
The transit company is over $5 billion in debt.
St. Louis Metro to test if single-car trains can reduce operating costs, maintain rider satisfaction
The pilot program will run from October to spring 2027, and begin with one single-car train operating on Metrolink’s Red and Blue lines.
Pennsylvania is building data centers in abandoned mines
Housing data centers in mines provides an alternative to destroying local forests and may spare residents from data centers’ noise and air pollution.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello