Expert: Paul S. Brown, AIA - 12/9/2005

Question
Hey I'm a senior at high school who wishes to become a great architect one day. My question is, how important is the fact that a architect must be able to speak and present to clients or other engineers? I greatly enjoy math and art, however, I'm a person who really doesn't speak much and tries to skip away from class presentations. I'm becoming less and less shy. Is this a problem? Is architecture right for me? What can i do to be more social? What do arhitects speak about with clients?

Answer
Hi Paul:
I am glad to hear that you are interested in this profession; it can be very satisfying and challenging.
Public speaking is important as an architect, and individual personal communication skills are essential.
Everyday, as an architect, you spend a great deal of time speaking with others on your team and leading them in the right direction.  Very clear, precise communication is essential.  Written communication is good, but a lot of important work gets done verbally too.
Having said that; I am a shy person too.  So, this is something that I have to work at harder than some of the other architects I know.  But; that's the way life is; you decide what you want to do, and then do it, and use your gifts to the best of your ability.  All people have strengths and weaknesses; you just have to work harder at the things that don't come 'naturally'.
Short answer:  if this is what you want to do; don't let your shyness now stand in the way of your dream.
Good luck;
PB