Exploring New Horizons: Top 10 Careers Beyond Architecture

Discover the Unique Paths Taken by Architects in Diverse Industries

Have you ever looked at the world beyond architecture and thought,

What else could I do with these skills?

It’s a question that crosses many minds (including mine), especially for architects and recent grads, who may feel boxed in by the traditional paths in the industry.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s out there, beyond design studios and construction sites, you’re not alone.

Many architects have leveraged their unique skills to break into exciting fields, and some of them are names you might already know! I am super excited to share with you what I found.

Let’s dive into a few incredible journeys of people who started out studying architecture and went on to make waves in other industries. These stories might just spark some ideas for your next steps.

1. Ice Cube: From Architecture to Music & Film

You may know him as a legendary rapper and actor, but did you know Ice Cube originally studied architecture?

He enrolled in an architectural drafting program before his music career took off.

Architecture taught him discipline and creative problem-solving, skills that have undoubtedly influenced his work in music and film.

Ice Cube took his creativity to new heights, showing us that sometimes, architectural training can be a springboard to a career you hadn’t even considered.

Transferable Skills: Creative thinking, project management, discipline

2. Sir James Dyson: Innovating Engineering and Design

James Dyson, famous for inventing the Dyson vacuum, also has a background in architecture.

He started in the architecture field before shifting gears to engineering, where he applied design principles to solve everyday problems.

Dyson’s journey reminds us that architecture equips us with a unique design perspective that can be applied to technology, product design, and beyond.

It’s about looking at things with a problem-solving mindset and asking,

How can I make this better?

Transferable Skills: Innovation, design thinking, and resilience.

3. Tom Ford: Revolutionizing the Fashion World

Tom Ford studied architecture at Parsons School of Design before pursuing his career in fashion.

His architectural training gave him a strong foundation in aesthetics and structure, which helped him shape the visual appeal of his fashion lines.

Ford’s story is a great example of how architecture teaches you an eye for detail and beauty—skills that can be applied to any creative industry, even those as distinct as fashion.

Transferable Skills: Aesthetics, attention to detail, and creativity.

4. Miguel McKelvey: Co-Founding WeWork

Miguel McKelvey, the co-founder of WeWork, also has an architecture background.

His education helped him design WeWork’s co-working spaces, which were some of the first to prioritize a community-focused, aesthetic approach to office space.

McKelvey’s career highlights the intersection of design, entrepreneurship, and community building, reminding us that architects have the potential to reimagine spaces in innovative ways that go beyond traditional buildings.

“Space can change people’s minds and habits."

Transferable Skills: Community building, innovation, and spatial design.

5. Evan Sharp: Building Pinterest

Pinterest co-founder Evan Sharp studied architecture before venturing into tech.

His architecture training shaped the platform’s unique visual interface, which is all about sharing and organizing visual ideas.

Sharp’s journey is proof that architectural skills can transition beautifully into tech, where the ability to think spatially and visually is highly valued.

Transferable Skills: Visual storytelling, spatial awareness, and innovation.

6. Adolf Hitler: An Unlikely Architect-Turned-Politician

An unexpected addition to this list is Adolf Hitler, who aspired to be an architect and was deeply passionate about painting.

Adolf Hitler initially dreamed of becoming an architect, applying twice to the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts but being rejected each time due to his lack of talent in painting.

This rejection fueled his fixation on architecture, which later manifested in his collaboration with Albert Speer to design monumental structures that symbolized Nazi power.

His architectural vision was rooted in a desire to reshape Berlin into a city of grandeur and intimidation, using architecture as a powerful propaganda tool.

Hitler’s story serves as a reminder of the profound societal impact architecture can wield.

• Transferable Skills: Grand-scale planning, visioning, and cultural impact.
• Further Reading: Architecture as a Weapon: Hitler's Speer

7. Tinker Hatfield: Designing Iconic Sneakers for Nike

Tinker Hatfield is a name you may recognize from the world of sports and fashion.

He studied architecture before becoming a designer at Nike, where he went on to create some of the most iconic sneakers in history, including the Air Jordan line.

Hatfield’s architectural background helped him understand form, function, and user experience, which he applied to his work in sneaker design.

His career is a testament to the fact that architectural skills are not limited to buildings—they can influence design in all kinds of products.

"Design is where science and art break even."

Transferable Skills: Ergonomic design, functionality, and user experience.

8. Matthew McConaughey: From Architecture Student to Actor

While he didn’t graduate with an architecture degree, Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey began studying architecture at the University of Texas before switching to film.

He attributes much of his creative thinking and attention to detail to his time spent in architecture school.

McConaughey’s path shows us that even a partial education in architecture can provide skills that are transferable to various creative fields.

Transferable Skills: Storytelling, attention to detail, and public speaking.

9. Benjamin Netanyahu: Politics & Leadership

Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Prime Minister of Israel, studied architecture at MIT before entering the world of politics.

While his career took a very different turn, the strategic thinking and problem-solving skills he gained from architecture have undoubtedly played a role in his leadership style.

Netanyahu’s path shows us that architects can bring valuable perspectives to fields like politics, where strategy and long-term planning are key.

At one point, Mr. Netanyahu told MIT professors he hoped to use his combined studies in management and architecture to alleviate Israel's acute housing shortage.

Transferable Skills: Strategic planning, analytical thinking, foresight.

10. Queen Noor of the Kingdom of Jordan

Did you know that Jordan's Queen Consort hails from Washington, D.C.?

In 1969, she became part of Princeton University’s pioneering co-educational cohort for architecture and urban planning.

Before she met King Hussein and moved to Jordan, where she worked as an architect at the British firm Llewelyn-Davies Weeks.

Today, Queen Noor leverages her architectural training to make a significant impact on family, philanthropy, and activism.

Her background in design and urban planning undoubtedly contributed to her vision and leadership in these areas. In recognition of her contributions, she received Princeton’s prestigious Woodrow Wilson Award in 2015.

Her story is a reminder that the skills we acquire in one field can open doors in another, allowing us to create meaningful change in diverse ways.

These examples barely scratch the surface. Many other architects have moved into fields like real estate, urban planning, film production, furniture design, game design, and even graphic design and marketing.

So, what about you? What story are you writing or will be written about you?

Where Will Your Architecture Skills Take You?

The beauty of architecture lies in its versatility.

You’ve learned to think critically, solve complex problems, and visualize concepts, skills that are invaluable in countless fields.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to explore a different path, know that your training has prepared you for more than you might realize.

Want to explore further?

Check out this resource on more famous people who started in architecture.

Next Step? Take Action

Ready to start thinking outside the architectural box?

Here are three steps to get you started:

1. Identify Your Transferable Skills: Write down skills you’ve gained from architecture that can apply to other industries, like design thinking, project management, or spatial awareness.
2. Explore New Fields: Consider industries that interest you and research how your architectural background could add value. Could you see yourself in fashion, tech, or even entertainment?
3. Take the leap and start small: Start with small steps, maybe a side project, a new skill, or even a conversation with someone in that industry. You don’t have to make drastic changes all at once, but momentum begins with action.

For further inspiration, I shared a recent LinkedIn post on this topic that dives deeper into the careers architects can explore beyond traditional roles.

Check it out here and, if you’re ready to explore new paths, let’s set up a one-on-one chat. I’d love to help you navigate your next steps!

Until next time, keep creating and exploring, Griffiths Ochieng'