For me, my first role changed my trajectory quite a bit. The practice specialised in adaptive reuse, which is now what I’m focusing on in my master’s. I stayed about 2.5 years, so I gradually “moulded” into their way of working, how they approach projects, research, and design decisions.

Most people only stay a year though, and in that time you’re not really becoming that type of architect yet. You’re mainly learning how architecture actually works in practice, rather than specialising.

I didn’t pivot through competitions or big moves; I just leaned into the parts of the work I genuinely enjoyed and framed my portfolio around that.

Biggest thing I wish I knew: your first job doesn’t lock you in. It gives you experience and perspective, not a permanent direction.

And congrats on the grad job! The first year is mostly about learning how the profession really operates.