I have found that my age is an issue with anyone and everyone that I interact with regarding my job, whether it is in the office or out in the rest of the world. When I tell people that I work as an ‘architect’ it’s as if they aren’t sure whether or not they should laugh at the hilarious joke I just made. I know that I should technically say that I work as an ‘intern architect’ but for the simplicity of describing my job to non-architects I find it easier to just say ‘architect’. When this matter first came up I would tell people that ‘I work at an architecture firm’ because I would feel a pang of guilt for saying that ‘I’m an architect’ when I knew in my honest little brain that I was not…yet. But that always lead to the inevitable follow-up question of ‘well what do you do there?’ with an underlying implication of ‘so you answer phones and make coffee?’ I suppose in my current situation the former is not exactly false, but I would prefer to describe the job duties that require the use of my master degree rather than my high school diploma. I mean, I’ll be paying an arm and a leg for that degree for many years to come, so I’d like to reap all the benefits I can get out of it. Can I get a what-what?
Things could be much worse. I am aware of this. I am extremely grateful to be young. Everything is still new and exciting to me. However, overcoming the obstacles and being taken seriously is difficult when you look like you just got your drivers license. The best solution that I have come up with to deal with this issue is to embrace your youth and prove your capabilities to those skeptics through your work. The work should speak for itself, right?
So in the words of Snoop Dogg (because I’m young):
“Nothin’ to it but to do it”.
Sorry...I don't know that I can give you a whole lot of sympathy on this one, Terra. I have ten years on you (I did just get ID'd in a liquor store the other day though!) but still feel some of what you are feeling. A lot of what is going on is the economy so everyone is short staffed. Unfortunately people with professional degrees are getting asked to make copies and answer the phones sometimes. There are only two people in the office right now with less experience than me (you and Jonathan). You are probably paying the price for the fact that we haven't been able to hire student interns. Your degree is less than a year old now and your time will certainly come. Keep pushing and ask for what you want to do...it will happen eventually.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get asked what you do in an architecture firm, just say you are a "designer". That is true. BTW...you do look like a professional and do not look like a sophomore in high school. :-) Hang in there!
I'll give you a what what, Terra! It's a tough phase that we're in, I think...making the transition from educated to successfully working in our chosen careers, and becoming equals in the eyes of our new peers. (I didn't mean for that to rhyme). I think most people face things during this starting-out period that bring discomfort or anxiety or some degree of wanting to feel more 'adjusted' to the job/field. I think you are SO brave to be doing your thing in a field where you have to make so many opportunities for yourself in order to move forward. Be patient, and you are going to be GREAT, Terra!
ReplyDelete