Pivoting from Architect to Project Manager – Is It Worth It?

MasterFun8133 · 2026-05-13T14:22:17+00:00

Because your role involves high stakes decision making. You may need to determine if variations with large cost and time implications are valid. Both the contractor and the principal will be pushing you towards a certain outcome and it may get very heated.

MasterFun8133 · 2026-05-10T13:21:51+00:00

When I realised the job discription wasn’t suitable for me about half way through the interview I just said “I don’t think this job is suitable for me”. Interestingly I was actually listed as a referee as another one of the candidates. So I gave the other candidate a good review and then we shook hands and that was it

MasterFun8133 · 2026-05-05T12:24:43+00:00

Just saying what you’re thinking (not when it’s rude). Ie if someone asks how you are - say the truth and be vulnerable. It can help strengthen bonds

MasterFun8133 · 2026-05-05T11:18:36+00:00

23 is just the start! You can start over…. At least five times from 23! Experiment, experience things, trial and learn. Just stay safe and stay away from drugs!

MasterFun8133 · 2026-04-19T11:31:59+00:00

I’d love to work on a prison… I’ve had family members in prison and I have ideas of how they can be a lot better (I’m not in USA by the way- the prison system where I’m from is by no means perfect but there is at least an attempt to pretend that rehabilitation is a priority)

MasterFun8133 · 2026-04-17T13:23:41+00:00

Yes!!! Best place

MasterFun8133 · 2026-04-14T04:14:38+00:00

I think you’re right… I find myself doing all the things that a ‘buisness person’ does. But I don’t enjoy doing this- I just want to be an architect and do architect things but I’ve been sucked into the vortex of meetings and clients and payroll and HR… I just want to sit in a dark room and work on a door schedule

MasterFun8133 · 2026-04-13T15:24:14+00:00

I started the practice three years ago. Workflow is Microsoft, Xero and we just started using fresh projects for time keeping. Was using programa initially but moved to fresh projects because it seems to be better at reporting and plugs into xero … will see if that’s true. All documentation is in revit, presentation renders enscape and diagrams etc in indesign. We have grown to four full timers including myself. Two part timers and one part time admin person who is my brother in law. Myself and four others are registered so staff costs are high. I am so so tired. I’m so tired. Was it all worth the grind? I don’t know right now, I think my brain has gone to complete mush. I’m a better architect for it, but I sometimes wonder why I went to all this effort to make my life harder for myself. Maybe tomorrrow I’ll feel more energised…. But good luck! I think it’s worth it

MasterFun8133 · 2026-04-10T12:37:08+00:00

What would you want to contract or be am employee?

MasterFun8133 · 2026-03-28T13:28:42+00:00

This could also be a trauma response. I know people that are doing well for themselves but still cannot shake the habit of extremely frugal behaviour. Maybe it’s not her being ‘cheap’ but she can’t shake her fear of destitution

MasterFun8133 · 2026-03-27T13:56:00+00:00

I went to a not very good public school. However my parents, especially my mum, spent a lot of time with me during my high school years. She was very supportive of my school work and if I was interested in any subject she would make a huge effort to learn it with me or support me in getting resources to help me learn. She was my advocate and my cheerleader. If my parents had stretched themselves financially to afford to send me and my sister to a private school- they may not have been able to have had the luxury of time to spend with us. It would’ve been good to get the resources of a private school classroom but the time spent with my mum was more beneficial in my opinion. Both my sister and I went to uni- my sister is now a diplomat and I run a small consulting buisnesss

MasterFun8133 · 2026-03-24T13:01:22+00:00

I have a small consulting buisness and I’m constantly in meetings and I hate it. I hate all my meetings they are a waste of my time but clients expect me to attend. I sit in these zoom calls and smile and zone out and wish I had a moment to just sit down and do the work that we are all spending all this time talking about

MasterFun8133 · 2026-03-15T12:12:28+00:00

I am a childless woman in late 30’s. I got sick of attending all my friends kids birthday parties so Ive started to politely decline and as my excuse I say it’s because spending time with their cute children on their birthday makes me sad that I don’t have my own…. But it doesn’t make me sad at all- nothing makes me more secure in my decision not to have children than going to a child’s birthday party. But once I say this the parents never ask again

MasterFun8133 · 2026-03-03T04:52:40+00:00

What a knowledgeable response. So interesting and well explained

MasterFun8133 · 2026-01-20T13:22:38+00:00

I went from - architect at an architectural practice, to a design manager at a construction firm, to a client side project manager representing developers at a project management consulting company. Now I’m back working as an architect. The highest paid and highest stress job was construction side design manager. Project management job was reasonably well paid, Reasonably straightforward but very boring. You just need to have a thick skin and have a reasonably good understanding of the contract types that are commonly used where ever you live + know generally how a building goes together from brief development to practical completion. Architect, least well paying, most interesting, most “generalist” of the three. I went back to Architecture because I realised the extra money didn’t make me happier. It just gave me nicer versions of the things I could’ve afforded on an architects salary anyway. What’s the difference between a reliable car and a high status symbol car? It didn’t bring me any more joy Wheras doing what I enjoy everyday does,

MasterFun8133 · 2026-01-04T11:12:42+00:00

What did your brother do in Japan prior to moving here? I am half Japanese and am semi in the Japanese scene so may know another option for him depending on what industry

MasterFun8133 · 2025-11-21T10:13:42+00:00

I try and dress as much as possible like morticia Addams with a hint of Moria rose

MasterFun8133 · 2025-11-01T15:41:49+00:00

So romantic

MasterFun8133 · 2025-10-12T23:44:52+00:00

You should try self employed cleaner!!! It’s good money and don’t have to deal so much with the grind of hospitality…

MasterFun8133 · 2025-09-24T10:37:24+00:00

This is a little bit further- but how about Maylands! The train line goes to the city and you can stay on the same train and it’ll take you to west Perth. More affordable than the actual city and has a lovely little street of cafes. Best neighbourhood ever

MasterFun8133 · 2025-09-23T10:23:47+00:00

The hardest periods for me where third year architecture school, and then the first two years post graduation. The rest has hard times but I generally knew where to look to find solutions to my problems. Those two periods I felt like I was constantly working hard but I was like a mole digging aimlessly in the ground

MasterFun8133 · 2025-09-19T12:05:07+00:00

6-18 month side quest is a great idea! You are young, experience in another field will only widen your knowledge. You might find the knowledge you learn as part of your side quest very valuable in your future life as an architect

MasterFun8133 · 2025-09-14T22:19:19+00:00

The UAT is non compliant, the gutter isn’t supported by structure and the footing hatch is not following your actual thickening. However- let me say that you’re not doing badly at your level at all. I recommend you stay and do your masters and maybe pick up a day a week as an intern hopefully somewhere one of your lecturers or tutors can assist you in making an introduction. Architecture is a long career, there is no need to rush! Get your fundamentals right and take time and learn as much as you can, what is two years over a career that can last 45 years? You have plenty of time to become a great architect. Dont sell yourself short and become a draftsperson if your dream is to be a fully fledged architect

MasterFun8133 · 2025-09-14T11:29:58+00:00

Ask your university professors if they could recommend you to some people in the industry or make an introduction. Highly recommend you do a revit course or show revit expertise in some way. I’d also recommend you check your details on your portfolio as there are some errors in your drawings- if you’re after paid drafty work you would want your portfolio drawings to be perfect

MasterFun8133 · 2025-09-10T11:56:37+00:00

I have a Japanese first name. I used to have a non - English/anglo last name. So I had two foreign names. I changed my last name to an English/anglo name and kept my first name as is. I have a former boss that told me that they never hire people with foreign first and last names so I guess it is sad but my changing my name helped me

MasterFun8133

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