Week in the life of a 19-year old Architectural Apprentice in London, England
Written by Isha Ahmed, Edited by Aliya @archistudentnotes
This ArchiWeek we have a week in the life submission from a 19-year old second year level 6 Architectural Apprentice living and studying in London, England.
Introduction from the Writer:
Hi, my name is Isha Ahmed and at 18 I stepped into the world of architecture, not through the traditional route but via the degree apprenticeship.
This pathway includes working full time alongside working towards a degree. I did the apprenticeship because I am a practical person who learns by doing. I went straight from sixth form into the office and although it was a learning curve at first getting used to university life and working,
I have definitely found my balance. There is a stigma towards apprenticeships and a lack of knowledge and information surrounding them, as an apprentice my goal is to help school leavers in navigating the competitive and at times confusing process.
Tiktok: isha.archi /insta: isha.archi/ LinkedIn: Isha Ahmed
Monday
Monday is a university day for me this year.
My course is split 80/20, with 20% of my contracted hours being allocated to working towards my degree.
A typical university day includes attending lectures, design studio and/or seminars. I start my day by commuting into London for an early start on campus and checking my schedule. This semester I am doing communication and history & theory modules so I have been going to plenty of lectures and have been focusing on developing my Grasshopper, Revit and visualisation skills.
Once I complete all of my classes for the day I unwind by going to the gym and finish the day by planning my week.
Tuesday
The other 80% of my contracted hours are allocated to working in practice.
The work I do is very similar to a Part 1’s at this point in my career, as I work towards developing my skills.
On Tuesdays I usually work from home, and my morning usually starts with a cup of tea and a catch up call with my team . Each day the tasks I do can vary, for example using photoshop to edit images, using illustrator to create architectural diagrams, formatting presentations in InDesign or using Rhino/CAD for architectural drawings.
Wednesday
Wednesday is typically an office day and the whole team is in the office. We get to work collaboratively on these days.
When working in the office we get to do more practical work such as model making.
After work I usually work on my university assignments, go out with friends or go to the gym - this depends on how much I have to do and how much I might need to rest to make sure I keep a good balance.
Mid Week Plug
Enjoying this weeks ArchiWeek? Interested in sharing your own week?
Thursday
Thursday is typically an office day (Usually the same or very similar to my Wednesdays).
Friday
On Friday I usually work from home (Usually the same or very similar to my Tuesdays). After work I usually work on my university assignments, go out with friends or go to the gym - this depends on how much I have to do and how much I might need to rest to make sure I keep a good balance.
NOTE FROM THE WRITER
The architecture degree apprenticeship is a great alternative to students who feel that university might not be for them. It allows students to earn while learn by getting 4 years of work experience whilst studying towards a degree.
Feel free to get in contact if you need advice or have any questions for me!
Tiktok: isha.archi /insta: isha.archi/ LinkedIn: Isha Ahmed
And that’s the week!
Any tips or advice for our writer, please leave them in the comment section below!
If you’re interested in sharing your own ArchiWeek, your own reflection - click here!
