A professor’s perspective: The top five skills architecture graduates need but don’t learn in school - by William Gati

Hiring young architects today is both exciting and challenging. They bring a fresh perspective, tech fluency, and eagerness — but many lack essential real-world skills that architecture school simply doesn’t teach. As both an educator and a practicing architect, I’ve mentored, taught, interviewed, and hired hundreds of young professionals. And I’ve seen patterns.

Recently, in my firm’s search for emerging talent, I reviewed over 250 applications on LinkedIn, conducted dozens of interviews, and hired three new staff members. Each new hire had passed the Revit Professional Certification, held a B.Arch degree, and had at least one year of experience. Despite strong academic credentials, all three still needed practical guidance and professional conditioning.

This article outlines the top five skills I believe architecture graduates need but rarely develop in school — and why addressing this gap matters for both firms and the profession’s future.

1. Communication Isn’t Just Visual — It’s Verbal and Written

Architects spend much of their day explaining ideas — to clients, engineers, contractors, city officials, and yes, even each other. But most architecture programs emphasize graphic and visual output above all else.

What grads need to learn:

• How to write clear emails, proposals, and memos.

• How to present ideas succinctly and convincingly to non-architects.

• How to listen actively and adjust messaging to different audiences.

Real-world impact:

A great design that isn’t communicated well can get value-engineered, mis-built, or outright rejected.

2. Time Is Money: Learning Project and Time Management

Architecture school thrives on open-ended design exploration — but the real world runs on budgets, deadlines, and schedules. Most grads haven’t been taught to manage time efficiently, prioritize tasks, or break large deliverables into phases.

What grads need to learn:

• The basics of project phases are schematic, design development, CDs, and CA.

• How to track hours and tasks using time-tracking tools.

• How to set realistic deadlines and meet them.

Real-world impact:

One late drawing or uncoordinated file can stall a project or lead to costly errors.

3. Building Code Awareness and Site Context

Students design like they’re building on Mars — with gravity, zoning, and fire codes as afterthoughts. However, in New York, every site is shaped by zoning restrictions, egress rules, ADA requirements, and historical overlays.

What grads need to learn:

• How to read the NYC Building Code and Zoning Resolution.

• How to apply code early in the design process, not as a correction.

• How to walk a site and interpret real-world conditions.

Real-world impact:

Code-savvy junior staff save time, reduce rework, and improve compliance from day one.

4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Emotional Intelligence

In practice, architecture is collaborative, not individualistic. We work with MEP engineers, landscape architects, consultants, and clients. The ability to navigate professional relationships and understand different perspectives is essential.

What grads need to learn:

• How to collaborate without defensiveness or ego.

• Basic emotional intelligence: reading the room, resolving conflicts, giving/receiving feedback.

• How to manage team dynamics and internal office culture.

Real-world impact:

Successful collaboration prevents friction and fosters innovation.

5. Understanding the Business of Architecture

Architecture is a service profession, yet few grads understand how money flows through a project. Business operations like fee structures, billing, contracts, insurance, and risk are hardly ever covered in studio.

What grads need to learn:

• How firms make money (and how they lose it).

• Why scope creep, change orders, and client communication matter.

• How to contribute to firm profitability, not just design.

Real-world impact:

Business-literate staff become leaders faster — and help protect the firm’s bottom line.

What We’re Doing About It

At Architecture Studio, we’re addressing this skills gap through:

• Mentorship and onboarding programs focused on code, communication, and time tracking.

• Project-based training in
real-world zoning and DOB approval processes.

• Encouraging staff to study for certifications like the Revit Professional Test early on.

We’re also leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to identify talent that demonstrates technical fluency and an eagerness to grow professionally. Our most recent hires are already on their way to becoming confident contributors — not just CAD jockeys.

Call to Action:

If you’re a firm hiring new graduates — invest time in teaching these five skills. If you’re an educator, push your students toward real-world exposure early. And if you’re a student or recent grad reading this — start asking questions beyond the syllabus. Shadow a job site. Learn how an invoice works. Join a zoning board meeting.

Our profession depends on the next generation being not only designers, but also leaders. Let’s equip them accordingly.

William Gati, AIA, is an adjunct associate professor at New York Institute of Technology and is principal of Architecture Studio, Kew Gardens, N.Y.