<p>My parents are telling me about the terrible things that are happening to architecture, and I think I see it too, at least in the US. Not only are buildings in less of a demand, the architects who design them are being laid off.
So they're forcing me to apply Computer Software to most of my schools (which isn't a bad career, I'll try both out if I get to an Ivy college).
If MIT accepts me I can start doing architecture. I know weird logic.</p>
<p>Now I'm just wondering, as a high school senior right now, will the economy clear up? Will I still have the opportunities to bring change to the career or am I far too idealistic?
Because since my family is not in construction I have no one to fall back on.</p>
<p>I still have to do my portfolio... just for my one school... Oh and cooper union is a free school. Should I apply there?</p>
<p>So is olin but I don't think it offers architecture.</p>
<p>by the time you graduate should you decide to pursue architecture the economy should be back and running. architecture is like next to the finance industry-when the economy is good, there's a high demand for architects and when it's bad, everyone gets laid off and does something else. it happens every 10 years or so</p>
<p>CS is a far more stable field but i think the bigger question is what do YOU want to do?</p>
<p>Every dog has his day. A career lasts a very long time and you need to do something you are passionate about and can excel at. If you had been starting school in 2001 your parents would be telling you to avoid computer sciences because after the Dotcom bubble burst there were very few CS jobs available. Long term I think both CS and architecture will have a bright future, which one do you want to be in? Five years is a long time and I suspect the profession will be doing just fine by the time you graduate. Make sure you excel in school and in the office so that when the next inevitable downturn occurs you are in a secure spot.</p>
<p>The Ten year cyclical nature is very interesting. Does that happen that predictably like "oh look architecture is coming back today just like nostradamus predicted" or could it stay for twenty years cause a crappy life eating ramen noodles and only drafting</p>
<p>Oh and the reason for this thread was this website Architecture</a> Careers - Future Outlook
which says
"Some types of construction are sensitive to cyclical changes in the economy."</p>
<p>It feels relieving to have hope that the career isn't going to completely disappear from America. Thanks for the advice. I will try both careers and see which I like more.</p>
<p>I've wanted to do architecture for so long. But all through high school I've learned about computers, just for fun and by myself because my school doesn't offer computer science. I never considered it for a career until my parents argued with me to choose another one. They're both fun, I have to say.</p>
<p>One of the really tough things about this profession is its cyclical nature. This architectural generation came up with five job offers coming out of school and headhunters calling them once a month to get them to move to a new firm for more money. This recession is teaching them the same lessons that every previous generation has had to learn; find a good firm, make yourself valuable, and put money aside for a rainy day. The only consolation that I would add is that in this era of global competitiveness, there are fewer and fewer jobs that offer the kind of security that my parents took for granted. </p>
<p>The week I graduated from architecture school Skidmore, Owings & Merrill layed off 300 people in NYC. It took me a few months to find a job, but I've been employed pretty steadily ever since. (Self-employed for the last ten years.) Architecture is cyclical, but building never completely stops.</p>
<p>If you are independently talented and resourceful, you shouldn't have to worry about the general economy trend. I think it's sweet that your parents are worried for you, but they shouldn't have to force your to make unnecessary choices. </p>
<p>Go with your gut feeling and I hope you end up doing something you enjoy. ... and your parents should relax. Many many students change their majors while in college anyway (over 50%, I think)so your initial choice of major should not really mean too much, at least statistically :)</p>
<p>It seems like I was in your shoes a couple years ago, but in actuality I've been working in the Architectural field for over 25 years. I have survived several economic fluctuations and hope to survive this one.</p>
<p>If both seem like fun, and I had it to do over again, I would go for the computer science education rather than Architecture. Maybe more lucrative and stable.</p>
<p>If you go into Architecture, be prepared to work long hours but be paid less than the 40 hour /week Admin Assistants (depending on the circumstances, it will take 3 or more years to pass the receptionsist who has no degree). You will have completed a demanding professionally acredited program and after several years of experience may be in the position to take orders from a client who has absolutely no training in or respect for Architecture. They have the money, it's their project and they want you to do it their way or they'll get someone who shares their "vision" (or lack thereof). Don't expect a whole lot of satisfaction from the job either.</p>
<p>I know this sounds a bit jaded but I just thought I might shine a light on what's at the other end of the tunnel you may be entering.</p>
<p>Obbay, you need to find a new job! We pay our new graduates quite a bit more than our receptionist, and I do believe there are more than a few folks who get satisfaction from being in the field.</p>
<p>When I questioned my son about this his view was people will always need water, food, clothing and shelter, so feels confident there will be employment for architects once he graduates. When I suggested that maybe there already exists more buildings than our population needed he told me;
1.The population is growing.
2.Lots of buildings are crap and are falling down.
3.The old architects are dying by the truckload.</p>
<p>i agree... except with the population growing thing...
that is a small reason why there is such a large number foreclosed homes in the us.
-no one to buy them (along with lots of other variables)</p>