The Future of Architecture (As Far as We’re concerned): Diversity in the ARE Boot Camp
Guest Blog Post by Joanna La Bounty, Young Architect Business Manager
Far too often we hear about the lack of diversity in the world of Architecture. But from what we’ve seen in our own ARE Boot Camp Coaching Program, that’s all about to change!
Our coaching program at Young Architect is unique. We don’t use “canned” emails or a generic one-size-fits-all approach, and it's not a manual or a boring, one-sided conversation. Instead, we personally connect to each and every person who signs up for the program. Each week, Michael mentors ARE candidates across the world via video chat, so we also get to see everyone’s beautiful faces!
Based on these interactions, I started noticing a few things:
- I am horrible at sounding out people’s names.
- Our Boot Campers come from all over the world!
- Our Boot Campers are mostly female!
- Our Boot Campers don’t always speak English as a first language!
- Our Boot Campers are going to change the world of Architecture!
When I shared these observations with Michael, he already knew about them, of course. He said it’s always been that way, since he started his ARE Boot Camp Coaching Program back in 2015.
I knew we couldn’t keep this information to ourselves, especially given the current lack of diversity in the profession. So I created a quick survey, and sent it out to the Boot Campers from the last 8 months (April '18 – Dec '18). And I am so excited to share the results with you!
Our Boot Campers Come from All Over the World!
Each of the countries in pink represents the birthplace of at least one of our Boot Campers. Here in the US, we have Boot Campers from every state and several active members from Puerto Rico. (If you were born in Australia or New Zealand and are working on the ARE’s, please email me! I really want every continent to be represented!)
Our Boot Campers Are Mostly Female!
Recently, I’ve seen T-shirts saying “The Future is Female.” Clearly, we need to create some that insert the words “of Architecture” at the end of that slogan!
Our Boot Campers Don’t Always Speak English as a First Language!
I’ve had many conversations about the ways that not speaking English as a first language adds to the already gigantic challenge of passing these tests. Oftentimes, people who originally spoke other languages read slower, and take a bit more time to process information.
For this reason, we don’t charge by the month for the Young Architect Academy. We want everyone to take the time they need, without being penalized for more slowly reading or processing information.
Our Boot Campers Are Going to Change the World of Architecture!
With so many different backgrounds and cultural influences represented, the world of Architecture is in for a change. And it’s going to be a BIG ONE!
