Considering the Wellbeing of Those Designing the Built Environment: Attrition Factors Impacting the Career Longevity of Architecture Graduates

Abstract

Attrition intentions continue to impact workers within the architectural profession, despite a significant dedication of time and effort towards higher education, skill development and professional licensure. Moreover, it is a significant disruptor to sustainable business planning. This paper investigates factors impacting career wellbeing and longevity, registration status and attrition intentions across a group of architecture graduates to provide preliminary findings into the exit destinations of those having left or intending to leave the profession. Using a conceptual framework established through the literature, qualitative and quantitative data were collected through an investigative online survey across 32 architects and architecture graduates from [Name withheld] University’s architecture program in Australia. Results reaffirm that no singular factor is responsible for attrition, although several themes are specific to architecture, as follows: salary versus expected hours worked, architectural registration difficulties and a discontent or lack of wellbeing within the role or work environment. The data suggest that common exit destinations for architecture graduates include roles similarly aligned within the built environment, such as landscape architecture, construction, real estate and urban planning. This paper contributes to a gap in understanding where exactly architecture graduates and professionals go when they leave and the motivating or demotivating factors that drive such alternative pursuits. It underscores the importance and value of addressing the wellbeing and career longevity of a skilled and valuable workforce in order to address and combat high attrition.