21 Mar 2021

A conversation with the wonderful Laura Simpkins from Pride Road Architects

Laura Simpkins' story is useful because it shows architecture practice life as it actually happens: career ambition, family, pressure, timing and adaptation.

Stephen Drew speaks with Laura Simpkins about Pride Road Architects, larger practice experience, family, parenting, the pandemic, career adaptation and launching her own route through the Pride Road Architects franchise.

The conversation covers:

How larger practice experience can shape a later career route
How parenting and family life affect architecture careers
What career adaptation looked like during the pandemic
Why supported practice models can help people build a business
What candidates can learn from non-linear career paths

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▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJBQC9XOWWw

📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/a-conversation-with-the-wonderful-laura-simpkins-from-pride-road-architects/

Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:
https://architecturesocial.com/

The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:
https://archademia.com/architecture-social/

Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Laura Simpkins and Pride Road Architects
04:00 Career in larger architecture practices
10:00 Family, parenting and professional life
17:00 Weathering the pandemic and career change
24:00 Piano lessons, local work and adaptation
31:00 Launching through Pride Road Architects
38:00 Real-life obstacles in architecture careers
44:00 Final reflections on resilience and practice

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