Is Architecture even Worth It ??!

College Majors Architecture Major
1

<p>So I was considering architecture as a major, I've always had a passion for architecture, imagining and creating new stuff
But I’m a bit worried and I’m starting to change my mind.
All I can hear is that architecture students never sleep its all work work in the studio
The payments suck and the number of unemployed architects is increasing
And that link actually creeped me out ! Salary</a> Survey 2010: Less = The New More - Compensation, Business - Architect Magazine</p>

<p>Well it's true that buildings always fascinates and architecture is my passion me but I dont wanna end up sitting at home unemployed </p>

<p>So what do u think ?! is this major worth it ? and will the job outlook get better ?
(I'd like to hear architects and arch students speaking in here)</p>

2

<p>There are many ways to answer this question; I personally think it is mostly worth it, but it’s important to know the risks before going in. It sounds like you have done your homework and understand what you are getting yourself into. When I went to school, there was NO internet and information on the profession was somewhat limited if you didn’t know an architect personally.</p>

<p>Yes, the money isn’t the greatest. In the lean years, like now, it’s important to seek out alternative career tracks, like Construction Management, facilities management, etc. Where I work (city agency), we had years where I had lots of very interesting design projects, and years like right now, where there is not much design, but lots of infrastructure repair work. </p>

<p>The education of an architect is indeed a difficult one. While it’s not the most in-demand major, it is certainly more usable than many other majors or degrees out there.</p>

<p>Lots of college graduates in many other professions are having a tough time finding a job; it’s not just architecture.</p>

<p>Schooling is not easy. There is a weeding-out process within the first year or so. many leave and don’t return. </p>

<p>Work usually is similar, especially in the beginning. Many will tell you that it’s a “sink or swim” situation. Especially in smaller firms.</p>

<p>Look, nobody can predict what the future will hold. A lot of infrastructure-related stimulus money has been pumped into the economy, but the employment rate of architects have not changed for the better yet. As I already said, alternative careers for a while may be key.</p>

<p>If working all day in studio scares you, then nobody can help you and architecture might not be for you.</p>

<p>If working all day (and night) in studio gets you excited about created works of architecture, then it could be the right choice. </p>

<p>Architectural education is not without its criticism, though. A lot of what you need to know in the workplace simply is not taught in school. You will need to discipline yourself to continually educate yourself on the entire building process, the business of architecture and how to go from one level of a project to another, until it’s complete.</p>

<p>So, I don’t know if I made any sense to you or anyone else, but it’s just my two cents worth after being in the profession for 20 years.</p>

3

<p>Unless you are obsessed with buildings and the construction industry, I wouldn’t recommend it. There are plenty of creative fields that have better (or at worst, the same) job prospects that aren’t so educationally intensive.</p>

4

<p>I would mostly concur with what NYCHAD is saying, but I completely disagree with the idea that other creative fields have better job prospects. Tried to get a job lately as a photographer, graphic designer, advertising, film, or product design major? I think architecture is one of the better paying, though highly cyclical, creative fields.</p>

<p>rick</p>

5

<p>^Maybe, that’s why I said “at worst, the same” job prospects. The point I was trying to make is that architecture has a high barrier to entry; 5 years of specific education and then more years to get licensed. You won’t even ‘design’ anything until years, or even decades later.</p>

<p>Other fields, like graphic design, advertising, product design, etc. are less certification-based and are easier to get into.</p>

6

<p>What Nycha said was helpful … but im still unsure !!!
So what can you do with a B.Arch degree besides architecture?</p>

7

<p>“Other fields, like graphic design, advertising, product design, etc. are less certification-based and are easier to get into.”</p>

<p>You are correct, they are very easy to get into. Anybody with a computer can call themselves a graphic designer, there is no barrier to entry, but just try making a living at it.</p>

<p>“You won’t even ‘design’ anything until years, or even decades later.”</p>

<p>If you have the talent you will get opportunities very early in your career to design, if you don’t, you may never get the chance.</p>

<p>“So what can you do with a B.Arch degree besides architecture?”</p>

<p>Product design, graphic design, lighting design, Construction management, development, etc.</p>

<p>rick</p>

8

<p>I think there is going to be a huge need in the next decade for creative thinkers (design) that can put their ideas into action (plans). Our schools have cut many of the creative arts programs which nutures out-of-the-box thinking and I believe that business and government sorely lacks these skill sets.
I was with my daughter at one of the arch schools listening to the arch pitch when the Dean mentioned that the head of design at Nike was a graduate from their arch program. He went on to say that it provides the foundation for most design careers.<br>
As far as the intensity goes, many HS kids are already putting in 70-80 hr weeks between their academics, community service, ECs and sports commitments. Most seasoned working people do not put in those hours on a regular basis unless they are in an executive role or actively “climbing the ladder”. College is supposed to be fun but it also is suppose to prepare you for the professional world…which has never been a cake walk if you want to really succeed. Most professions have cyclical downturns, it is how you adapt that will determine your long term success. One last thought in this stream of consciousness - in many non-liberal arts programs, including pre-med and engineering on the first day of school the professor will say - look to your right, look to your left, one of you will survive the program. They don’t really tell you that when you apply for admission…it is a dirty little secret. So, if you aren’t putting in the hours and the time to succeed, you just won’t.</p>

9

<p>I’m a bit lost…
What is the difference between a NAAB accredited degree and a non-accredited degree? Do I need to intern to get a licence after both? Could I find a job in the arch field with a B.Arch degree (accredited/non-accredited/both/neither)?</p>

10

<p>As I understand it, in most states you need to get a NAAB-accredited degree to become a registered architect (aka licensed). You also need to complete about 3 years of documented internship under the guidance of a registered architect as well as passing all parts of the licensing exam. The NAAB website lists the schools and programs that are accredited. These are all B. Arch and M Arch programs as well as one doctorate program. There are no BS or BA degrees that are accredited. If you get a BS or BA (4 year degree) in architecture or architectural studies, you would need to continue your education and get a M Arch from an accredited program to become licensed. …If you get a B Arch (I think these are all at least 5 year programs) from an accredited school and you would not need to get the M Arch. You can work in an architecture firm with any of these degrees, but generally you can not get your license unless you have the BArch or March from an NAAB-accredited program.</p>

11

<p>If you want to become a licensed architect, you must attend either an accredited 5 year BArch program, or a 4 year B.S or B.A. with 2-3 years of graduate school. Then you MUST intern for at least three years and complete all requirements set by NCARB. Then you must sit for a multiple-day exam, pass it, and you may finally call yourself an architect. </p>

<p>The intensity of an architecture studio is completely different from even the hardest college courses. You will spend 60+ hours a week in the studio- every week- not just at finals. You must have a thick skin and take criticism well. You’ll spend weeks and months working on a project, putting all of your best ideas and effort into it, and then pin-up day comes. Your professor and sometimes a panel of other judges, will question and critique every decision you made, often quite harshly, in front of your peers. And don’t be fooled- the best projects are often the ones with the roughest critiques. You will become very close with your classmates, but be aware that many architecture students are pretentious and the competitive nature of the profession begins in school. Projects and expensive tools are often stolen. Imagine working for three months on a project to arrive at studio one day and it’s missing from your desk- it’s heartbreaking, especially when you have nothing to present to your professor during pin-ups.</p>

<p>You’ll have about 1/4th the free time of other students (engineering and sciences included!) and miss out on a lot of the social aspect of college.</p>

<p>If you make it through school, you’ll feel an immense sense of accomplishment and pride. You’ll see the built world in a completely different way than you did before. You will have gotten to study something you LOVE for 5-7 years, and you will have gained an impeccable attention to detail. </p>

<p>Then graduation comes, and you realize there are NO jobs in architecture. Yes, every field has been hurting the last year or so, but none of them have been hit as hard as the architecture/construction industry. I graduated over a year ago from a top 5 school (when I graduated, we were actually #1) and only 19% of my class has found paid employment in the field. The rest have settled for unpaid internships, waitressing, or other minimum wage gigs that don’t help pay the student loans. This is NOT a one-time, temporary thing. There is a pattern in the architecture industry and in U.S. history; every 10 years or so, we are in a recession. Architects always take the hardest hit. Do you want to be laid off 6 times in your career? Then major in Architecture! Even if you are lucky or connected enough to be hired, an intern only makes around 30k/ year. My friends who got drunk and played video games for four years while majoring in business or engineering are all now making 55-80k /year. </p>

<p>The story about the guy who ran NIKE and was an architecture grad is incredibly rare. Industrial design jobs are notoriously hard to find in a good economy WITH an industrial design degree. I’m guessing this guy just had good connections. They try to fool you into believing a BArch is a great idea, but in reality this degree doesn’t help you get any other jobs besides these imaginary architecture positions. </p>

<p>I promise you I am not exaggerating at all, not one tiny bit. Here is the best advice I can give you: If you must study architecture, take an extra year and do a double major in business or engineering. You will NOT regret it. </p>

<p>I’m not trying to scare anyone away from architecture. It is an amazing subject full of art, philosophy, and history, but the actual industry is very tough. Good luck!</p>

12

<p>VT I agree with most of your points, but not all. The lack of jobs for new graduates is going to drive many from the field and we will be feeling the effects for many years to come.</p>

<p>‘There is a pattern in the architecture industry and in U.S. history; every 10 years or so, we are in a recession. Architects always take the hardest hit. Do you want to be laid off 6 times in your career?’</p>

<p>Yes, it seems that we face a severe recession every 10 years, and this is the worst one anyone currently practicing has ever seen, but most of the best people I know have never been laid off. However you can never stop growing or take your value for granted. It is an intensely competitive field.</p>

<p>‘Then major in Architecture! Even if you are lucky or connected enough to be hired, an intern only makes around 30k/ year.’</p>

<p>I am not hiring a lot, but the new graduates I hire are paid in the mid 40’s, which I think is pretty typical in this part of the country. Lowballing new hires because of the poor economy will cause serious problems in the long run.</p>

<p>‘If you must study architecture, take an extra year and do a double major in business or engineering. You will NOT regret it.’</p>

<p>If you want to be an engineer or a businessman, then get an engineering or business degree. Don’t waste your time doing a dual major.</p>

<p>rick</p>

13

<p>Thanks for the advice!! :]</p>

<p>I was thinking about double-majoring in architecture and journalism/communications. So in case something happens to my arch career, I’ll have a steady back up. Do you think it’s wise?</p>

14

<p>The city of New York hires its “Assistant Architects” from its civil service list (which requires a B.Arch or equivalent) at a starting pay of $49,000. Not too bad. Plus all the benefits you can need, a pension, and union membership.</p>

15

<p>Grey, if you like writing and journalism, then why don’t you take courses in it while you are in school? Being able to write well is a real asset, but that is a bit different than committing to a dual major, something that is going to be a challenge. Funny that you would pick journalism as a backup plan, because I think it is an even more difficult field to break into than architecture.</p>

<p>rick</p>

16

<p>Rick,
Thank you so much for the advice! :]</p>

<p>I’ll be applying for B.Arch this fall and I’m interested in (1)architecture (2)fine art (3)journalism, writing & visual communication. These are the three paths I can see myself pursuing. I heard that B.Arch doesn’t give you much space for electives so I thought about taking fine art and studio art courses to fulfill the requirements and double major in journalism/communication. I already have a few journalism internships under my sleeve (***** student blog and Seventeen magazine) so I think it would make things a bit easier.
Do you think this plan is achievable? I also heard that the B.Arch program is quite intense and demanding, but isn’t the purpose of college is to provide us with challenges and opportunities (or is it just a hackneyed slogan that fancy brochures sell us)?</p>

17

<p>I have known 1 person who’d successfully double majored for a B.Arch and BA in French, but she was really working her fingers to the bone to be both on top of the insane amount of work she had, as well as finish in 5 years. While not impossible, it takes an EXTREMELY efficient-working/committed person to pull this feat off.</p>

<p>I believe that the ‘college to provide us with opportunities’ statement comes with a few caveats. If you’re simply going for a LibArts degree, yes, you do have the fantastic freedom of trying out numerous departments while still earning credits towards a degree. With other degrees (like Engineering, B.Arch, PreMed), you’re not given the luxury to do this, simply because you’ll be hard-pressed to find the time to even get around to those classes. I would even say that majoring in Arch affords you even fewer non-Arch opportunities than PreMed or Engineering). That isn’t to say that you won’t encounter challenges and opportunities – simply that said opportunities will be most likely architecture-focused.</p>

<p>Now, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t try double majoring, but just be aware of the amount of time studio work will realistically take (be prepared to pull several all-nighters in a row, just to have your axo shredded to pieces during crits)</p>

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<p>Do you think there be more opportunities in other parts of the world, say Asia?</p>

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<p>About 30% of our work right now is in Korea, but I don’t think you would want to work for a Korean firm. A lot of the firms that have work right now are doing overseas work. Look for a firm with global presence since it may provide more opportunities in the future. Every project we go after in the U.S. We are facing an incredible amount of competition.</p>

<p>Rick</p>

20

<p>“Projects and expensive tools are often stolen.”</p>

<p>That sounds insanely cutthroat. May I ask at what arch school you encountered that? DD is going to be attending RPI, that did not sound like the culture there.</p>