Architecture

A Student in Havana, Cuba.  Photo by Sven Creutzmann/Mambo Photography/Getty Images News Collection/Getty Images

A process, by definition, is a plan. Actions taken to build something, whether it be a house or a career, have steps to follow. Many people, however, believe that plans should be flexible—fluid enough to be changed when opportunities arise.  When planning a career, we can become mired in a tick list of goals and forget to experience our present environment. It's only when we consciously look at all things that we begin to see the harmony and beauty of the designs that surround us.

For a future architect, every experience is valuable if it is deeply felt.

In 2015, Manuel reached out to us for some advice about his dreams and aspirations. Here is what he wrote:

Manuel's E-mail:

Hello,

I am sorry for writing you here, it is the only place I found, I am sure there are more, but I am in Cuba connected with Dial-up and a lot of content never appear.

I would appreciate forever your help, I am 25 without degree, I finished High School and a 3-Year program in Computer Science. I am very interested in majoring an Architecture degree in US and I have no way to pay for it right now.

I assume that I should sit at list two SAT tests and TOEFL exam, but I would like to know if the best tests for Architecture are Math 1, Math 2 and Physics, if it makes sense to sit the three tests or it's completely enough two tests, if it's completely enough to  get a very high score like 780 on each test to win a scholarship, financial aid or work-study program, because I scored high rates in high school until 10th, but later not and besides my school wasn't prestigious at all.

I've read a lot, but the most I read the most I get confuse with some policies for financial aids for international students. SAT tests are not available in Cuba and maybe in some months I will be able to get to US and sit them, but just now I read that some schools require to apply from your country, once you are in US without US Citizen you can't, on some webs I read some things opposite to others on others webs, it's very confused.

I just need a plan, because I really feel that I can get my dream, I love Architecture and I have the strongest will to get a degree. I know this may not have to do anything with you, but maybe you can give some advice or address me to somewhere or some people. Thank you very much only for reading my email.

Have a nice day,
Best Regards,
Manuel

A Career Plan for Manuel:

French architect Jean Nouvel acknowledged his parents when he accepted the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2008. "They taught me to look, to read, to think and to express what I think," Nouvel said. So, begin with the basics.

These are the career ideas I have for Manuel:

1. Don't focus on tests and science and financial aid. Instead, focus on solving problems. To solve problems, you have to see problems. Get experience in public service and/or social service work. Get a reputation as a problem-solver.
2. Develop a portfolio. Get some home design software—either new or old versions—and (1) develop new designs with written explanations, and (2) develop building plans for already built buildings. A portfolio should show your strengths. For example, architect Steve Holl designs with watercolors. Holl says, "We work bone-deep in Art—drawing lines between sculpture, poetry, music and science that coalesce in Architecture."
3. Architecture is about presentation. Learn to create designs and be able to explain them to people who don't understand architecture. As part of your portfolio, practice putting visual designs into words. I know, it doesn't sound like you should have to do that, but you do.
4. Stay in Cuba and try to get a job with an architect, designer, developer, construction company, or school. Hang around people in the business. Network inside and outside your country.  For example, every two years the US government sponsors a Solar Decathlon, a very structured competition to design solar houses. In 2015, Universidad Tecnologica de Panama and Universidad Tecnologica Centroamericana teamed up with a US college to compete in the event. Their entry, EASI House, didn't win, but relationships were formed and connections were established—and they learned a whole lot about design, engineering, and building. Move to get involved.
5. Begin college locally before coming to the US. Get into an academic program and do well. Get a degree—and it doesn't have to be in architecture. Study the arts. Study design and sculpture and music and science. Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa suggests that poetry is essential to understanding architecture. Keep transcripts of your studies. Everything matters. Everything counts.
6. Become an expert in all things Cuban—architecture, art, music, archaeology, construction methods. Show that you have a keen eye for observation. This focus can be marketed if you move to the US.
7. Become bi-lingual. Learn English well. Architecture school is tough enough and architecture teachers are known to be intolerant of language barriers. Pritzker Prize winning architect Shigeru Ban has admitted that he had a difficult time when he moved from Japan to the US to study architecture. Ban didn't have a command of English.
8. Travel. Keep a journal. Sketch what you see. Analyze how things are built. Ask questions. Write an article for Architecture.About.com—I consider all submissions. Be a Part of the Architecture Site. Also, when you travel outside of Cuba, you may have the opportunity for better Internet connections! Just remember to be safe.
9. Have fun. Life is too short, and, besides, architects don't have major successes until later in life. If you find that you really don't like what you're doing, even if it is your dream, don't do it.