Who are you and what do you do?
Dale Rickard, an Urban Design and Transit Architect.What made you decide to go into your field?
I discovered that I could make a living playing around with felt pens.
What did your family think of your chosen field?
It was a huge relief to them.
Who is the teacher who had the most influence on you and why?
The one person who has influenced my life the most has been my grandfather who was an architect from Glasgow.
What was the biggest hurdle you faced along your educational path? (academic, financial, motivational, family or peer pressure, outside distraction, etc.)
My biggest problem in my 20's was choosing a single field, there were so many options.
What inspires you?
Living in Cities.
What schooling is required for success in your career?
Years of drudgery.
What kind of people are the most successful in your field? Are there any specific attributes?
Architecture is a very diverse field and there is room for people with a wide range of attributes.
What is the best advice you were ever given?
This advice comes from my wife the lawyer: never admit liability.
Is your field growing? (ie. is there room for new entries and is there career growth?)
Yes but new people entering architecture need to understand that architecture is cyclical following the real estate industry and global economies. Sometimes there is strong demand and sometimes there is unemployment.
What advice would you give someone considering a career like yours?
Find a wealthy spouse first.