<p>I'm a rising senior civil engineering major at the University of Maryland, CP. I don't want to do engineering per se anymore and I am currently looking for other careers. I am now thinking of architecture. I went into civil engineering because I liked the idea of designing buildings, but now found out I don't really like the whole engineering part of the construction just the design. I think architecture would be more for me because I like designing things and I like to think that have somewhat of an artistic mindset. I am planning on finishing my civil engineering degree but want to go into architecture after graduation. My questions are:</p>
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<li><p>Is it possible for a civil engineering undergrad to get into architecture grad school. How?</p></li>
<li><p>Can a civil engineering bachelors get you an entry level job in architecture? I have no experience in the field so I was wondering how to go about doing that.</p></li>
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<p>don’t know much about this except that one of my roomates in college was a civil engineering major and went to architecture graduate school and is a successful architect now. I don’t remember whether he took many architecture classes while an undergraduate though.</p>
<p>This is a topic that you should be having a serious talk with your college advisors next few months when school starts again.</p>
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<li><p>Definitely possible. You’d have to apply to the masters arch program at different schools. The undergrad major doesn’t matter, meaning you wouldn’t need a bachelor’s in architecture to get in. Adcoms do like seeing a few architecture classes, so maybe try taking architectural history or another similar class this semester. Compared to the civil engineering classes you’ve had to take, the architecture ones shouldn’t be too bad. The key part of applying for a masters in arch is the portfolio. Check the admissions websites for various schools to see their requirements, but usually the portfolio just has to show an artistic side. It doesn’t have to include drawings of buildings or anything so don’t worry about creating a new building just yet; they just want to see that you can conceptualize and draw in 3D. </p></li>
<li><p>I don’t really think so. There’s a huge difference between the two, so a soley-based architecture firm wouldn’t hire a civil eng to design a building when they could hire an ARCHITECT to design the same building. Even architects have a hard time finding jobs, so I doubt a civil eng would have an easier time. However, to even become a certified architect takes a long time. </p></li>
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<p>I’d suggest taking a look at the architecture thread on CC. Try posting the same question there - although it’s been answered quite a few times! Just as a side note: from what I gather, the job prospects for an architect are very low.</p>
<p>FYI, even if you get a Master’s in Architecture you will still most likely have a great deal of trouble finding work. Hardly anybody is building new stuff in the Great Recession.</p>
<p>I know someone who graduated from University of Maryland: College Park with a M.S. in Architecture. Its been more than a year and he has yet to find a full time job. Also consider he was a top student and Maryland is one of the least affected states of the recession.</p>
<p>It will be incredibly difficult for architects for the next few years but if you are patient and you know this is what you want to do then there is nothing stopping you from eventually reaching your goal.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about IT but I don’t think you can just pick up an IT job with a BSE in Civil Engineering. It’s not really something where the degree matters. You have to have experience working with very expensive IT equipment I think. </p>
<p>If I were you I would just try to get a Civil Engineering job. If you are unable to do this I would consider engineering graduate school.</p>
<p>If you’re not completely sure about architecture, don’t go into it, regardless of the economy. It’s a significant time and money commitment (2-3 years of tuition).</p>
<p>Andrewsky: But I hate civil engineering now. It tortures my mind day in and day out. I feel like stabbing myself in the heart multiple times when i walk into class. And I would claw out my eyes if I had to work in an engineering firm.</p>
<p>And I thought IT was mostly about software, not hardware.</p>
<p>You seem to be all over the place in terms of what you want to do. You’ve considered all of the following on CC: civil engineering, architecture, environmental engineering, GIS, accounting/finance/business, computer science, biomechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, public policy, and IT.</p>
<p>I suggest trying to figure out a description of your perfect job; not so much as to what you do, but the characteristics. For example, are you more of a people person? Do you want a job that puts you out in the field? Do you prefer dealing in tangible things? Subjective or objective? Art or science? Figure this out before you spend more time jumping from field to field.</p>
<p>Q:Are a people person?
A:On a scale of 1 to 10 I’m about 5.</p>
<p>Q:Do you want a job that puts you out in the field?
A: Ehh, not really.</p>
<p>Q:Do you prefer dealing in tangible things?
A:You mean like physical things? Nope.</p>
<p>Q:Subjective or objective?
A: Objective</p>
<p>Q:Art or science?
A: Science, but blending the two would be nice.</p>
<p>So what am I good for? I feel so confused right now. I’m a senior and I don’t know what to do with my life!!!</p>
<p>And Andrewsky, I don’t really like the civil classes I took so far, like geotechnical engineering, engineering materials, and structural analysis. I just had no passion to learn about them. The only classes I mildly enjoyed were the Java class I had to take and the engineering information processing class where I used MATLAB.</p>
<p>Those were just examples of questions to ask yourself. I don’t have an answer for you. However, based on the last 3 answers, I don’t understand how you would like architecture. </p>
<p>You don’t prefer dealing with tangible things? But you want to design a building?Architecture is an art, which is highly subjective. Even the best architects in the world get bad reviews from some people.</p>