Episode 3 of 3 in our Education Series In this final episode of my three-part conversation with Paul Monson, Director of Architecture at Utah Valley University, we turn to the practical question of how. How does a student become better prepared for the profession, and how can any of us become more attentive and informed observers of the built environment. We begin with Vitruvius and his description of what an architect should know. It is a demanding standard, but Paul uses it to make a grounded point. Architecture requires breadth, humility, and lifelong learning. The goal is not to master everything at once, but to steadily develop judgment, skill, and clarity. From there, we discuss:

• what is missing in many programs when architecture is taught as theory rather than craft
• how to evaluate an architecture school, including the right questions to ask on a visit
• why UVU is built around accessibility, affordability, and real-world preparation
• why hand drawing remains essential and how it supports clear thinking and design freedom
• how digital tools can shape outcomes if students become limited by software assumptions
• how non-architects can begin training their eye and building design vocabulary
• where to start with resources such as the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art
• and why the built environment is not fate, but choice

We also talk about curriculum, accreditation, learning through making, community-engaged studios, and the importance of developing both technical competence and a refined sense of proportion and beauty. We close with a larger reminder. Beauty is not a luxury. It is deeply connected to human wellbeing, meaning, and culture. Wherever you are, improvement is possible, and it requires participation from everyone involved in building our world.