<p>Next year I'll be attending Cal Poly SLO to study architecture. I love architecture and have wanted to be an architect since I was kid, but I'm deathly afraid of not being able to get a job or working for $20,000 a year after graduation.</p>
<p>My school offers several different minors, but I was considering the Construction Management minor in hopes that it would open up opportunities to work in construction management, or at least allow me to get a master's degree in some sort of construction science/management program if architecture goes absolutely nowhere for me.</p>
<p>Also, you can start an MBA with an Architectural Management track during your 5th year in the B.Arch. program. It's selective and only open to B.Arch. students. I'm planning on taking a few summers to study and get ahead, so that if I get accepted to the MBA program I can still graduate in 5 years. I'm a natural leader, and I hope the MBA will help show this.</p>
<p>So now for master's degrees (if I don't get accepted for the MBA). I'm hoping I don't need one (just due to the debt that likely comes with it), but if I do need a master's degree I was thinking it wouldn't be something other than an M.Arch., so I can broaden my opportunities. This is just me dreaming here, but I found one program that seems like it would be awesome:</p>
<p>Stanford University - M.S. Sustainable Design & Construction (hopefully the school's name alone would open up employment opportunities/salary potential)</p>
<p>Or maybe an M.S. or certificate in construction management from another school.</p>
<p>Can anyone give me any recommendations here? I'm looking to supplement my B.Arch. so I can make more money or at least find a job when I graduate. Thanks in advance</p>
<p>I will give you a different point of view. The study of architecture is going to take everything you have, focus on becoming the best student you can be and produce an outstanding portfolio. Coming from a strong school like SLO that is going to provide you with your best work odds.</p>
<p>If you want to work for a construction firm you do not need a construction management degree, they would love to hire someone with a BArch. </p>
<p>As far as an MBA I would suggest to just graduate with your BArch and if the economy is really bad go back to school and get your MBA. I would not pile it on top on a BArch. When I interview at schools the addition of a joint MBA does not make up for a mediocre portfolio. Once you are in a leadership position in a significant firm, facing serious management issues, then getting an MBA can give you real insights into the issues you may be facing. I don’t think getting one as an undergrad will do much for you.</p>
<p>Thanks Rick, that’s actually very reassuring. I’ll most likely skip out on the MBA since like you said, it doesn’t provide much benefit until you’re actually in a management position. I’ll work hard on the portfolio.</p>
<p>Nitsua I think you’re getting ahead of yourself. You haven’t even started college yet, and already you’re worrying that your architecture career will “go absolutely nowhere.” Who knows what the market will be like in five years, but right now motivated B.Archs and M.Archs can find decent jobs at live-able salaries with firms that will guide them through the licencing process. Mostly likely you will too.</p>
<p>From my observation the key to landing a solid entry level job with the kind of firm that you’re interested in working with is to have meaningful summer internships during your school years . To me, that would be more valuable economically than spending your summers studying to enable you to get an additional MBA.</p>
<p>I’m sure that Cal Poly offers resources to help you find internships with local firms or with alumnae/i all over the world. You’'ll also want to develop relationships with architects who are visiting instructors and critics and to network with fellow students who graduate before you. </p>
<p>With two or three internships on your resume, after you have your degree you’ll be able to parlay your experience into jobs with those firms or others that know them. It’s a progressive process – one job leads to another.</p>
<p>Ultimately after gaining some real-world experience you may wish to get another degree in addition to your B.Arch. An MBA, MS or even a law degree are possible. Your path of interest will become clearer after you’ve ahad more exposure to different types of firms.</p>
<p>But right now you should be concentrating on doing well in your studios, building your portfolio and deepening your understanding of design concepts. Sometimes it seems abstract, but this is what will lead to a secure income as an architect.</p>
<p>Momrath - thanks! I’m undoubtedly getting ahead of myself, I’m just trying to make the most out of my education and make it a somewhat decent investment. I’m trying to avoid being one of those disgruntled architects complaining about how much architecture sucks as a profession on internet sites. I want to be successful.</p>
<p>I’m hoping to do as many internships as possible. I have a family member who’s a vice president of something or another at Gensler, so I’m hoping he can land an internship for me there (but I don’t know if that’s realistic). And a family friend who’s an architect for a company that designs schools. Both went to Cal Poly. I will try to network as much as possible too.</p>