Your Design Passport

16: You've Been Networking Your Whole Life (You Just Didn't Know It)

Most people think networking starts at conferences, industry events, or the moment you need a new job.
But what if you've actually been networking your whole life?
In this solo episode, I reflect on the conversations, introductions, friendships, and unexpected acts of kindness that shaped my career across South Africa, Australia, and the United States. From landing my very first architecture job to changing careers and launching this podcast, every major opportunity started with a relationship—not a business card.
If networking has ever felt intimidating, this episode might completely change the way you think about it.
Your International Architect Starter Map
Website: yourdesignpassport.com

15: The Power of Showing Up: Cassidy Jones on Networking, Leadership & Career Growth

Networking doesn't have to feel awkward.
Architect and community leader Cassidy Jones shares how authentic relationships have shaped her career, helped her navigate career transitions, and opened unexpected opportunities within architecture.
In this episode we discuss:
Building professional relationships as an architect
Networking as an introvert
Career growth through community involvement
Women in architecture
Leadership development
Starting over in a new city
Listen now and discover why your next opportunity might simply start with showing up.
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14: Architecture Is a Passport | Why Your Skills Travel Further Than You Think

Most architects dramatically underestimate how transferable their skills actually are.
After speaking with Neil Pann in the previous episode, I found myself reflecting on something deeper — not just how architecture careers are built, but how they expand.
Because somewhere along the way, many of us forget this: being an architect is not limited to one job title.
This episode is a reflection on identity, confidence, and what becomes possible when you stop shrinking your skillset to fit a single definition of practice.

13: You’re the Architect of Your Own Career | Neal Pann on Expanding Beyond Practice

“You’re the architect of your own career.”
That single sentence from Neal Pann stayed with me long after this conversation ended.
Because for so many architects, there comes a moment where the traditional path no longer feels like the full story. The profession teaches us how to design buildings — but rarely how to redesign ourselves.
In this episode, Neal shares how his career evolved far beyond the walls of a studio: from studying architecture in Florence, to working on the developer side, serving on planning commissions, and eventually helping shape architectural conversations through podcasting and media.

12: You Are Not Starting From Zero: 5 Mistakes International Architects Make in the U.S.

“You are not starting from zero.”
And yet, that’s exactly how many internationally trained architects feel when they begin applying for jobs in the U.S.
 

11: Inside Architecture Hiring- What U.S. Firms Actually Look For (From a Recruiter - Rachel Davis)

“I found that I couldn’t bear sitting at a desk any longer… I really needed that people connection. Every time I stepped into a client meeting, I was excited. But then I’d leave the meeting upset that I had to go back to my desk.” Rachel Davis
 
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
• What architecture recruiters actually look for when reviewing candidates• The resume and portfolio mistakes architects commonly make• How international experience can become a strength, not a barrier• The role networking really plays in architecture hiring• How to navigate visas, relocation, and U.S. hiring culture
 
If you’re navigating the U.S. job market — or simply rethinking what your architecture career could look like — this episode is for you.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
And if this conversation resonates, share it with another architect navigating their next chapter.

10: Am I About to Undo My Entire Career? Moving from Australia to the U.S. as an Architect

Am I about to undo my entire career?
That was the question I couldn’t shake when I started the process of moving from Australia to the United States as an architect.

9: Finding Home in Australia: Real Estate, Identity & Starting Again with Bonnie Worth

When you move countries, you don’t just change where you live — you leave an entire version of your life behind and step into uncertainty.
In this episode of Your Design Passport, we talk about what it really means to find home in Australia — emotionally, practically, and personally.
 
My guest today is Bonnie Worth, a real estate expert and principal who has helped countless newcomers navigate renting and buying in Australia — including my own family when we first arrived.

8: Designing Your Own Study-Abroad Path in Architecture (US → Australia) with Emily Perna

No one had done it before — so Emily Perna decided to figure it out herself. When her architecture school didn’t have an existing exchange program in Australia, Emily built her own path, structured her own curriculum, and spent five months studying architecture at the University of Sydney.

7: The APE Deep Dive — Your Practical Guide to Australian Architectural Registration

This is where everyone meets on the same starting line.
In this episode of Your Design Passport, we’re diving deep into the Architectural Practice Examination (APE) — the final hurdle before you can officially call yourself an architect in Australia.
Whether you trained locally or internationally, the APE is the great equaliser. It’s challenging, humbling, and absolutely achievable — especially when you understand what’s actually being assessed.
Download APE Registration Checklist