<p>Kind of an interesting thread. For my own take on the question if there will be too many architects, there may actually not be enough. I don’t think there are that many arch students coming in compared to other departments, although I wouldn’t have trouble believing more than at any other time in recent history for architecture. The fact of the matter is that there are still not that many arch schools out there, and good ones are even more limited.</p>
<p>The paramount thing to consider is the extreme importance that architects will play in the “rise of the creative class” that we are currently seeing. The only other competing workforce trend, which sort of ties in, are the so-called “green collar jobs” which arch schools have responded to with environmental design programs and upping the ante on LEED. So under either the “rise of the creative class” as detailed by Richard Florida’s book, or under the political-influenced “green collar jobs” system, architects will be VERY important. Win-win.</p>
<p>osucowboys, you make a very valid point. The rise of the “creative class” will play a very important role in all aspects of business as well as the building industry. Many industries are suffering due to lack of creative thinking. Hiring people that can actively “think out of the box” is very difficult these days. People with those skill sets are just hard to find. The first thing to be cut in pulic school systems are the arts - the primary vehicle for the development and nurturing of creative thinking…cuts like these have been going on for quite a while and we have a generation of high school graduates that have little formal arts exposure. I think that the training architects receive is going to be in high demand - even if arch students don’t pursue a classic arch career. Just one person’s opinion.</p>
<p>mistariapotter, im also a high school student really interested in architecture! My mom is also worried about me pursuing this career. I’ve done a lot of research on Architectural Engineering, since I’m also a little interested in engineering, and it’s not that great if you want to be an artist. I don’t think you’ll be able to do the art related things, it’s mostly technical and mathematical stuff. Right now, I’m a senior and I’m trying to think of a back up plan like minoring in something while majoring in architecture, but I heard that’s REALLY hard and it’s gonna kill me. D:</p>
<p>I would enter a BS four year degree and after 4 years you then have the option to pursue other careers in graduate school. A dual major will not only kill you, but may not allow you to determine in you really have the talent and motivation to do architecture.</p>
<p>FYI there is one school where you can graduate while being licensed - Boston Architectural College.</p>
<p>It’s a bit different than the traditional school, as you do an internship during the day and take classes at night. As such, it’s possible to graduate with enough hours to sit for the license exam.</p>