EMBRACING INTROVERSION IN A SOCIAL ARCHITECTURE REALM: TIPS ON OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGE

     Architecture, in general, is a social engaging field. Though, this fact may not be pleasant for some individuals with an introverted personality. During your time in school and in the work field you will come across peer interaction, social functions, engagement with professionals & clients, and networking events. This is not so bad when you start practicing your social skills throughout the years, and it is best to get the practice in while you’re in school. As you transition to the work field, you will grow to interact with your colleagues, senior architects, consultants, contractors, clients, and manufacturers. This will become part of your daily life when you grow as an architect. These people that you interact with, you may work with them for a long time. Socializing can be draining at the end of the day. 

1. START WITH SMALL TALK: SOCIALIZE WITH YOUR STUDIO PEERS

      As mentioned multiple times, the studio culture would allow you to meet many new people, and engaging with them will just benefit you in the future. You will spend a lot of long nights with them, bonding, and going out on late-night outings. Start with small talk on common topics such as architecture studio, classes, getting through your required credits, and so on. Try to get comfortable and yet be your authentic self. When you feel comfortable with the person you’re interacting with you will organically start to create a bond. Maybe through common interest, or you just really enjoy the vibe the person has. Eventually, narrow down your friends to the ones that are closest to you, and even become your lifelong friend. 

2. IN CLASS SETTINGS:
PRACTICE ACTIVE LISTENING (ASK QUESTIONS & BE INVOLVED IN DISCUSSIONS)

Ok you might think that you don’t want to be that one person who always ask questions all the time, and who holds up the class. You just have to know THAT class where asking questions is important, for example, structures class, environmental studies or graphic communication class. Ask questions when it is more technical, and can help the rest of the class. A class that you want to avoid asking questions could be large lecture classes such as history or an architecture introductory class. That way you maintain the etiqutte of that class, and will not distrub the flow of the professor. Instead, if you do have questions just save your questions at the end of class. 

Tips: Practice on being an active listener to your professor and  on the subject. This may open questions to ask your professor. Ask questions when the subject is technical and can help the rest of the class. 

3. IN STARTING STUDIO OR STARTING INTERNSHIPS:
INITIATE CONVERSATIONS WITH A FELLOW INTROVERT

      Introverted individuals may feel intimidated by some people in the studio that may appear as the ”social butterfly” and they start to attract the crowd. A good way to start conversations with others is to spot individuals who may be more low-key, or seem to match the same vibe as you. Try to branch out to more people, so that way you can get a bit more comfortable in school events when you know that a couple of your friends are going. This is what I would call ”the buddy system” – you just need those friends you can navigate with especially when you are a first year undergraduate student. As a first year, you are still new to the school, and the people within the upper class years.  

4. IN ANY SOCIAL SETTING: 
USE THE ”SOCIAL BUDDY SYSTEM” 

      One of the best people in the studio are those individuals who are genuienly nice to everyone. There are some studio classes who have cliques, similar to high school and may just remain in their group. Though if you come across those individuals who include you in conversations, gatherings, or grabbing lunch. Those are one of the best people you will come across, and you should maintain a good friendship with those people. These people are really fun to be with, especially with social gatherings. These extroverted individuals can be able to open you up more, and start more moving conversations. 

5. IN SOCIAL GATHERING SETTING AND/OR INTERACTING WITH PROFESSIONALS:
ASK OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS

      Small talk is good a nice icebreaker between a teacher, teacher’s assistant, or professionals. This is understandable, this can be intimidating because they do have an authorive figure, and plus they are the ones grading you. At least, in American culture for architecture school, there are teachers or professionals who just want to have normal conversations with their students. Some professors may do this, just to relieve the awkwardness with their students. Remember you are an adult and going into a professional setting. Keep in mind that a professors or professionals who really get to know you and your work ethic as a student, can be your mentor in your career path! When you do have that one teacher or teachers that you enjoy talking, it’s good when you check up with them once in a while. You never know, they can be the one’s giving you advice for your career, or writing your letter of recommendations for graduate school or your letter of appeal for your internships.

Examples of open-ended questions: Involves the person’s thoughts and opinions on a subject, this can encourage the person to open-up more about themselves and leave room for more topics to talk about while conversing.