1. Get Started on Your Career Path You can start earning IDP hours right after high school graduation. If you havent already, sign up for IDP and get started on the path to licensure!2. Dont Get Caught Up in Old Guard Firms The youth are the future. Firms need to embrace the ideas, energy and enthusiasm of young people. Be observant as to what the Millennials in the ofce are doing. Make sure emerging professionals are valued in the frms you are interviewing with for full-time employment.3. Networking = The Key to Advancement Get to know everyone in the Architecture community and allied felds (all ages and experience levels). Dont underestimate the value of AIA membership and networking opportunities.Networking is the Key to Advancement. Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons User Townsville Chamber4. Dont Get Upset by Clients that Think They Know Everything About Architecture Be patient. Educate and show multiple options (divergent thought processes) to open up thinking. Be a professional. Remember that you were educated as an ARCHITECT (not him/her).5. Dont Burn Bridges The Architectural world is way too small. Your actions and decisions will be remembered.6. Look Out for #1 It is your career and yours alone. Make sure you are getting the appropriate experience (IDP), opportunities and compensation. If you arent, MOVE ON!!!7. Voice Your Opinions The best ideas are never incorporated into projects unless they are heard, presented, and defended. Many processes in frms and details on projects can be improved if you simply point out a better solution to decision makers. An improvement is always appreciated by principals and clients.8. You Must Design Your Career and Position All of us are Unique = Unique jobs/positions Continually refect on your experiences to determine what you really want to do. Make career decisions to attain this position.9. Diferentiate Yourself Develop your unique skills and abilities. Demonstrate how they make you a better employee and contributor. Potentially utilize these skills to go out on your own.10. Dont Confuse an Internship with Full-Time Employment An internship introduces you to how a frm and projects work. Full-time employment mandates responsibility for your work and productivity (deadlines). Full-time employment = STRESS!!!11. Technology Will Lead the Way You must stay at the forefront of technology. Volunteer to learn new software and lead frm implementation. Learn BIM and become profcient while in school.12. Sustainability is Your Calling and Opportunity If you endeavor to learn a lot about sustainability while in school, you will be able to share your knowledge with current practitioners and become peers. Take the sustainability lead within your frm. Become a LEED Green Associate while in school.You must educate EVERYONE about sustainability. Image Courtesy of Perkins + Will13. You Need to be a Champion of Sustainably Built Environments You must educate EVERYONE about sustainability. Future clients will be the result.14. Build Community Only 2% can aford the services of an Architect. What are you doing to help the other 98%? Get involved in your community.15. Save the Profession Architects arent compensated fairly because the general public doesnt value (or know) what we do. Teach-Share-Show-Demonstrate to others how we improve the world.16. Education Doesnt End in School You must continually learn to stay at the forefront of materials, systems and technology. Dont let the world pass you by.17. Mentor Help teach the next generation. A two-way street (look up, look back). You will learn something in the process, and be reminded why you joined this profession.18. Never Get Grumpy Continually be inspired by the next generation and harness their optimism and energy. Be a positive and optimistic employee.19. Fix Something The world is full of problems. Choose one or two things, and fx them.20. Complete the Task You set out to become an Architect so take the A.R.E. and become one. Keep your eyes on the prize!!!21. Final Thought The easiest building to design is a box, but Architects dont design boxes. Architecture is about serving others through the design of the built environment. Make sure your work is the best it can bethrough its service to others and contribution to a more sustainably built world.I hope this list provides you with an opportunity to think back to your time fnishing school and embarking on your career. If you could go back and give advice to your younger self, what would you say? What advice would you give to the next generation of architects? Please share your thoughts in the comments below