<p>Hi I am a rising junior still in highschool and I've been trying to figure out the best major for me so i can start looking at schools oriented tk that major.
Primarily, my ideal career was architecture as it included so many of the things i love. However the more I thought about it and researched, I found that there arent too many job opportunities, the pay isnt as high as I'd like it to be, I may not even end up with a job with a main focus on designing after so many years of work, and I'm not the most creative and communicative.
So recently Ive tried getting past this idea and seeing what else there is to choose from. I found that some engineering fields are very similar to architecture like civil and structural engineering. I'm just wondering if these are jobs that would be the best for someone like me who loves creative problem solving. At the same time though, I think I would like a job more oriented towards art and designing and I was wondering if thats possible with those two types of engineering or in any other field besides architecture?
My dream job is probably something that includes 50% art/ designing/ creativity, and maybe some science and math. Advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!</p>
<p>I think there are a lot less schools that offer a bachelors in architecture vs. graduate level programs.
you really should reach out to an architect and see the route they took…for their undergrad degree.
in the meanwhile here is one school with an undergrad degree in architecture
<a href=“http://cadc.auburn.edu/”>http://cadc.auburn.edu/</a></p>
<p>You need to look into Industrial Design - the design of all sorts of things from toothbrushes, doorknobs, iPhones, to cars. Basically any product you interact with on a daily basis has been in the hands of an industrial designer. It combines design, graphics, ergonomics, engineering, etc. </p>
<p>I’m an interior designer in the architecture field and I can attest that things are tough right now in our profession and salaries aren’t super high unless you are working in the bigger cities. Architecture can be a wonderful and fulfilling profession, so don’t count it out completely. But based on what you’ve stated I suggest you check out industrial design.</p>
<p>Funny, just noticed the above poster gave you a link to Auburn, which is the program I attended. Auburn also has an industrial design program.</p>
<p>First, let me clarify the different routes to be coming an architect. There’s the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) is a highly focused program, usually 5.0 years, which allows graduates to proceed on the course of becoming a licensed architect. This is the degree that Auburn offers. You can also find it at about 50 universities across the country.</p>
<p>Then there’s the combination of a BA or BS plus a Master of Architecture (M.Arch). The M.Arch can add anywhere from 2.0 to 3.5 years to the BA/BS depending on the undergraduate curriculum.</p>
<p>Quite a few colleges/universities offer a BA or a BS in architecture or architectural studies. This is essentially a major in architecture. If you take this route, however, you still must get an M.Arch before you can become licensed. It’s also possible to major in other disciplines – like art or math or even engineering – and still get accepted to an M.Arch program. </p>
<p>The advantage of the B.Arch route is that it’s faster and therefore costs less. The disadvantage is that you have to make a commitment to architecture early on and it doesn’t allow much room for experimentation in other disciplines. The BA/BS+M.Arch takes longer and costs more; however it allows for a more balanced undergraduate experience.</p>
<p>Successful architects have followed both paths.</p>
<p>Second, I don’t think you should make this important career decision based on what you perceive as your earning power many years from now. It’s true that building is cyclical and that the economy affects hiring of both architects and engineers; however, architects can and do make comfortable livings. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but there’s no reason to assume that you won’t make a decent salary doing the kind of work that you’re attracted to.</p>
<p>You should choose the profession that you’re most interested in. If you do well in school, network in the industry and actively pursue summer internship opportunities, the money will follow.</p>
<p>If you’re not sure, perhaps you could spend the next year exploring both fields. As Zobroward says, talk to architects and engineers. Try to shadow a professional or get a summer internship in an engineering or architecture office.</p>
<p>Next summer, you could also enroll in an architecture career discovery program offered by several architecture schools. This is also a good way to build a portfolio should you need one to apply to B.Arch programs.</p>
<p>Third, architecture schools all offer a balance of design and structures, but their emphasis can vary. Some lean more toward creativity, some toward construction with sub-categories in sustainability and technology. As you read more about the different schools you will understand the differences.</p>
<p>It seems to be fairly common for students to be on the fence between architecture and engineering and quite a few universities now offer joint degrees. These are usually on the graduate level, though. If you Google “architecture and engineering joint degrees” you see several options.</p>
<p>Lastly, The Architecture Careers board on this site provides a lot of good information. Read through this (long) thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/1100309-architecture-vs-engineering-or-both.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/architecture-major/1100309-architecture-vs-engineering-or-both.html#latest</a></p>