Do you have some advice to share? Be part of Parlour’s Letters to My Younger self series — full of useful tips and stories of working in the built environment.

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Picture yourself back at university – young, energetic, full of creativity and ambition and ready to launch yourself out into that wonderful exciting world of work. Don’t you wish you could whisper a few words of wisdom in your ear to make your future a little easier? What are some of the tips that would have been useful to know back then?

Parlour’s ‘Letters to my Younger Self’ series collects useful advice and anecdotes on navigating study and work in architecture, and balancing it with family, travel and other pursuits. This advice provides valuable to the younger generation – students at university, new graduates or even current professionals still navigating the complex challenges of an ever-changing profession.

All letters are welcome. Simply send in your letter with contact details to hello@parlour.org.au.

Questions you may address when writing your letter may include some or all of the following:

  • What have been your biggest challenges in the workplace? How did you overcome them?
  • What have been your most satisfying achievements? How did these come about?
  • What are the most important skills you have learned, and what could your younger self have done to develop them sooner or more fully?
  • How important is registration to you? Would you have liked to tackle this earlier? Or differently?
  • What’s the best way to minimise the impact of a career break? (For travel, children, sick relative, other sabbaticals, etc)
  • Have you ever had a difficult challenge at work that you’ve had to grapple with? (A bad boss or toxic work environment, a challenging client, unrealistic hours or output, a tempting job offer that would turn your life upside down)
  • Who should your younger self seek out as mentors in your professional life?
  • Are you satisfied with your work/life balance? If yes, how have you managed to achieve this?

Letters to My Younger Self is led and edited by Susie Ashworth.