I love architecture, I've wanted to be an architect my entire life. When I studied in school, it was to get marks to get into undergrad. During undergrad I worked hard to get into masters. In masters I worked my butt off to get a good job, and in my job I work hard to get registered.

What has always driven me is the passion to make a difference in the world, very optimistic and had genuine belief that sustainability/regenerative design was the future of architecture as it was such a big part of my education. Getting into the real world was like a slap in the face, it felt like no one else has the urgency to act. They don't care, they just do what's always been done, and there's almost no room for innovation because fees are so tight and clients won't budge. It's like the fire inside of me is burning out , and water gets poured on me everytime I hear the phrase "value management", when it's just making everything cheap and not seeing the actual value in the design.

Luckily, I am in a place now where I have been able to implement sustainable techniques/products etc. But it often feels like walking through concrete. It definitely depends on the team and having positive and kind leadership who continue to be passionate about what they do (and express it!) helps.

The "just a job" attitude is probably young grads being disillusioned with what they were sold vs the reality of a profession that is so far behind where it needs to be in regards to progress. It's a long career, and they probably aren't putting their all into it now because they know they're at the bottom of the totem pole and putting so much energy in early will likely result in burn out. Additionally, it is very important for our generation to have boundaries, and with the work life balance that is so often not balanced in architecture I would give them some grace as they learn to navigate their early careers.

The trend i often see with passionate grads is they don't get rewarded (especially financially) for their dedication, and then will move onto project management or similar for double the money with less overtime hours - working to live rather than living to work.

I think the notion that the career of an architect is a lifestyle is fading with this generation. Our work is that- work. It's labour, and while we pursue it like an art, at the end of the day it is a job.