Thinking about a career in architecture? Wondering about the math required, or how much you’ll earn? Are your drawing skills questionable? Joining me to answer these questions (+ more) is my friend Bob Borson, architect + creator of The Life of an Architect blog + podcast.

Some timestamps to guide you:

• 00:00 What do I do with the rest of my life?

• 00:30 An architect’s salary discussion

• 01:03 Other ways to think about compensation

• 02:05 Compensation Calculator (by region, job, etc.)

• 03:37 Happiness vs. Compensation Chart

• 03:57 I’m terrible at math, is this the right career for me?

• 04:27 Math we use in daily practice

• 07:27 I can’t sketch or draw, is this a problem?

• 08:03 Why sketching is important (even if you’re not great at it)

• 10:10 Not everyone in this profession is a designer

• 10:50 Can I be an architect with no formal training?

• 12:00 Trade school vs. University

• 13:10 Linear vs. Lateral thinking

• 13:36 Designing houses + interiors without a license

• 14:29 Know this…

• 15:26 Solving problems vs. Telling Stories

• 16:40 What clients buy from architects

• 17:16 I’m (insert age) is it too late to become an architect?

• 18:25 The challenge of going to school later in life

• 19:38 What skills will prepare me for architecture school?

• 20:13 “This is gold”

• 21:59 Metaskills

• 24:29 What books do you recommend?

• 28:38 Peter Zumthor + beards

The Life of an Architect blog was created in 2010, and for ten years Bob’s posts have been making the practice of architecture accessible + interesting to a worldwide, diverse audience. He exposes the reality of the design and construction process with style, a dry wit and without sparing the true grit and struggles that making architecture so often involves. He’s not afraid to reveal the mistakes and missteps made along the way, the messiness and imperfections tell the real story of our life as architects. If you’re looking for glossy photos, you’ll find very few here, this is the place to go if you like sketches, a little snark and cogent thinking.

If you’re not familiar with his work, you’ll find ten years of posts, images, and inspiration thoughts on his blog.

**Life of an Architect blog** https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/

**Eric from 30X40 on LoAA podcast: https://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/056-starting-a-design-firm/