Allow me to paint you a picture to dispel any myths you may have about becoming an architect. It's not easy, but the rewards are truly great.

To become an architect requires a significant investment in education and training. We begin our journey with a five-year professional degree that immerses us in the fascinating worlds of design, construction, and innovation. But that's only the beginning. We then gain practical experience and sit for a licensing exam to ensure that we have the knowledge and skills to excel in our field. It can be a difficult process that requires dedication, perseverance, and a genuine passion for the craft. On average, it takes around 7–10 years of commitment to become a registered architect.

Let's fast forward to the 20-year mark; after years of practice and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement in our skills and knowledge, we have become artisans who perform a symphony of design principles, construction techniques, costing, building codes, regulations, safety, sustainability, and user experience. We collaborate closely with engineers, builders, and a variety of specialists to ensure that each building we design is structurally sound, energy-efficient, and tailored to the specific needs of its occupants. For better or worse, we may represent this with beautiful graphics, but our abilities go far beyond aesthetics. 

Architects are the visionary stewards of our built environment, constantly pushing the envelope to create inspirational spaces that exceed expectations. Often branded as unaffordable dreamers, most are simply overly optimistic in their pursuit. We begin at the polar opposite to that of builders, the practical versus the possible. Yet, at our best, we become the synergy of both leaving a profound and lasting impression on the world. This is our reward and our responsibility.