Unsure about Architecture

<p>I'm considering changing my major from Architecture to Civil Engineering. I've read about both but I can't decide. Architecture sounds a little bit more interesting to me, but I'm more interesting in math and science than arts and design. Also, I've been told that to do well in Architecture, you need to have a passion for it, which I don't think I have. I'm also concerned about unemployment rate and career opportunities, as well as if the project failed, would I be blamed?</p>

<p>If anyone could compare the two more and list the pro and cons of each, that would be great. Thanks.</p>

<p>In my opinion, by stating this…</p>

<p>“I’m more interesting in math and science than arts and design” </p>

<p>and this…</p>

<p>“to do well in Architecture, you need to have a passion for it, which I don’t think I have.”</p>

<p>You have answered your own question. Have you started taking arch classes yet? Be careful of choosing a field that is as intense as architecture because it “sounds interesting”. If math and science are more in line with your interests and talents, then I say the engineering path may be the best choice for you. </p>

<p>If you are already at a university and can talk to some students in each field, it may help you learn a bit more. Or read up on the course descriptions of some of the classes you will take. Studio in architecture demands HUGE amounts of time working on projects. If you aren’t into the design piece of it, you will quickly find yourself second-guessing the sacrifices you have to make. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>My Daughter just started her 2nd semester. Her 1st semester was everything she had heard prior to starting and what KandKsmom just stated. Her project workload was overwhelming with mostly sketching and a minor amount of working with simple foamboard structures. She pulled endless all nighters and it wasn’t unusual she said to see 30 kids in the studio until 5:00am, night after night. Some would go back to their dorms to sleep 2 hours, shower and go back to studio to finish any minor details just prior to classes. The kids on her dorm room floor used to be shocked when they actually saw her in her room.</p>

<p>Now my Daughter has had me as a Remodeling Contractor/Certified Code Official for a background of exposure. From a little girl, I would always explain things I did and made sure to have her help me with construction related aspects, more so to get her interested and accustomed to use tools. Developing basic skills is always good to know so one doesn’t have to become wholly dependent on Contractors for small things these days.</p>

<p>Early on, I also saw she possessed a natural artistic talent which more than likely came from her Mom, an Art School grad. At 9 years of age, my Daughter brought me a drawing of a house which had fine details of the exterior finishes and landscaping. This was not something ordinary and was a total surprise. It was then that I planted the seed for her to become an Architect when she got older. Well, from that day on she carried that desire right on through to where she is right now, starting her 5 year B-Arch program.</p>

<p>My Daughter was an honor student in a small rural high school. She did not test that high for SAT ort ACT even though Math & Science were her strong areas but she also reads alot so is no slouch in that area. She did take Art and Technology courses to help fine tune her to start a portfolio which included sketching, drawing and ceramics that won various awards. From Tech, she learned Photoshop, Google Sketchup and even got a free student access to AutoCad Architecture to become savvy with.</p>

<p>During the summer between her junior and high school years, we were able to afford her a program which provided internship for 1 month with a large global Architecture firm in New York City. She absolutely enjoyed this and got to participate with actual work on projects, one of which was for a Sports Complex in Dubai. This was the litmus test to see if this was a career path that she would enjoy and it was all steam ahead from there.</p>

<p>KandKsmom made mention of two points, which I also detected, indicating you lack the passion for Architecture. With you having a good Math/Science background, Engineering could be a very rewarding career path by the time you graduate and in hope that our economy will have rebounded. Engineering degrees as a whole open endless doors of opportunity. I’m sure the studies for it are intense, but it is something that one can learn without having to have that artisitic passion that Architecture sort of demands.</p>

<p>Long-winded but I hope you find your path.</p>

<p>Architecture has a tough job market right now and definitely has more artistic requirements than civil engineering.</p>