Overrated Career: Architect

I HIGHLY DISAGREE

I am an Architect with a total of 10 years experience (including years worked while still in collge). I truly enjoy my career and I have around 25 building I designed myself thru and thru. I just don't get the credit for it because the firm I work for does. But that is fine with me because I don't get the liablity either.

I have always worked at a smaller firm which allowed me more freedoms that I would not have had at a larger firm. In a large firm it is just like any other corporate world so it is imparative to know what direction you want to take upon Graduation.

What is true is that you have to work for it. You have to make sure you are willing to hang out in trenches for a few years till you earn your place within the firm. A entry-level intern has to prove themself and commit their time to the firm they work.

Although presently it is very difficult to find jobs in the architectural feild. Especially for those fresh out of college. The thing to remmber is that a person who graduates with an architectural degress doesn't have to do architecture. They are also qualified to do Interior design, 3D rendering, City Planning, Devlopment, Real Estate etc. They could even work for an Engineer if a job was availble for Entry Level. The good thing is a Architectural graduate isn't limited to one thing there are many "spheres" of architecture one can specialize in.

Regarding the pay range. Well. an entry level intern can expect to be between 35K-45K Annually plus in some cases bonuses and overtime. Most firms try to give you a raise each, but last, this year and probably next year I wouldn't expect one. For those who get there required internship completed and licensed should expect to be in the 65K range or so Of course this is also based on your particular demographic. Furtermore, those who work for themself (when business is normal) would proably be well into 6 figures, but you take on alot of liablity.

So I would have to diesagree. Architecture is a great feild to be in if you are patient enough to succeed in it.

J-Man of GA @ Aug 26, 2009 14:47:10 PM

Don't confuse reality with your sad career.

I have two cousins that are architects and a few inlaws. They all have great careers and are making lots of money. While it is hard work and long hours, there are alot of rewards in the industry.

I am not in Architecture, and at times wish I could be.

casualsuede of MO @ Aug 25, 2009 15:27:26 PM

Overrated Career: Architects

The reason architects are not appreciated and that most clients hate architects is that the business contract and working relationship favors the architect. If the client decides the architect can't deliver on their promises or can't realize the homeowner's vision, then the client looses. I can't end my business relationship and pick up where I left off with a new architect, without losing my investment. I've learned a lot from this bad business relationship.

I wish there was a website where clients could share their experiences with architects so that future clients make informed decisions.

G Mistake of CA @ Aug 23, 2009 23:31:29 PM

DEPRESSING SUBJECT BUT TRUE

Granted USA today only has a superficial knowledge about these subjects; and is guilty of making the childish and erroneous comparisons of interior architect vs. landscape architect vs. architect as being a better career over the other, there is some truth here:THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH ARCHITECTURE.

It’s sad when you graduate from college and you’re making a big leap forward with your career and pursuing your dreams, and then you find yourself in your parent’s basement, unemployed, and “cold calling firms” asking for jobs like a bum asks for money.

Why do big colleges never tell you what the career placement% is among architecture graduates??? Because it’s terrible, that’s why. College is an architect’s biggest problem in this country. The education shines no light on the actual career. And professors everywhere are guilty of not teaching. Most of them are so pompous and arrogant, that they never extend to you valuable knowledge that will help you work; rather they are to busy gasbagging about design and conceptual “touchy- feely” slop.

The second biggest problem with architecture is the American Institute of Architects and the lack of help extended to interns in architecture firms. You are only as successful as your firms desire to help you satisfy The Intern development process. Incase your wondering how effective that is, consider this: Half the people at any architecture firm have been Interns for 5-9 years. Some never complete that process, they just consider themselves “design staff”; I guess that makes them feel better. There is no formal training or intern development process in most offices, which means your license takes that much longer to get, and your salary much lower until you do.

Couple these facts into a bigger picture; America only does 20% of the construction in the world today. 80% is now oversees in communist countries that somehow are surpassing the USA on an economic level. And sadly, here in America, the best thing we can do is introduce more litigation, higher costs, and false hopes of saving the environment by introducing “GREEN Architecture” and “LEED” certifications. These are superfluous letters that architecture people will need to buy and stick on the end of their names. Ultimately it’s more paper work and cost to you, and will do nothing to lessen the carbon footprint of other countries like China.

the D of CO @ Aug 19, 2009 15:28:56 PM

Owners Hire Engineers

I've worked as a licensed civil and structural engineer for 20 years and always worked directly for the owner. Architects are superfluous (except in their own minds). It's also an increadibly limited field. When housing slowed down, I moved into energy - desiging and building pipelines. Architects served hamburgers at mcdonalds. Architecture is a thankless profession, but from the architects I've known - they deserve no sympathy.

Roy T. of TX @ Jul 17, 2009 21:27:09 PM

FIND THE FUN IN ARCHITECTURE

It's true...this career as an architect is over-rated. My friends and family all think it's so cool that I'm an architect. It's also fun to see the expressions when I tell someone that I'm an architect. However, most firms are service oriented, meaning that we design for someone else. If you are a career architect, there are serious conflicts between your desire to create good design and what the client allows you to design for them. This can be highly frustrating. If you are considering this career or if you are already in it and need some advice on how to handle it, take a look at a blog at www.thearchitectisin.blogspot.com. It'll give some great advice and an opportunity to share your feelings about this often over-rated career.

John of NY @ Jul 03, 2009 08:20:54 AM

did somebody hurt your feelings Agreed?

Seems somebody has a mighty strong opinion about architects without much substatiation.

As Agreed starts out by saying "I am NOT an architect", he lays the foundation for the rest of his ignorant blather. The architect my good man is the reason all the other consultants are working on the team. The client doesn't hire the structural engineer, or the mechanical engineer, or the site/civil engineer the architect does, and he does so, so that he can give the client the best design services. Futhermore the engineering consultants have a major role in informing the design solution but it is the architects design that is being informed by the supporting consultnacies...without the architect there is no building design for the engineers to make stand up, heat and cool, etc...

Architecture is an art and a craft, we have to understand a clients building type as well as the client, we have to understand the enginners roles and be able to manage them, the budget and schedule as well as the clients expectations while we are expected to be creative and cost effective. Sounds easy huh?

I have worked on major building projects all over the world that have contibuted greatly to the people that use the facilites and to the places those facilites exist so you'll have to pardon me if I take some offense to your obviously petty comments and small mindedness.

Please consider the contibution the built form has made to the world. Paris wouldn't be Paris, Rome wouldn't be Rome, London, wouldn't be London, etc...without the built environment that defines them as places and defines the great places within those cities. So bugger off!

Proud Architect @ Jun 16, 2009 02:37:58 AM

Uhhh... Seems spot on.

I am NOT an architect, but I work with them a lot. They are by far the most useless people on the design team. They know the code, but so does any engineer or good contractor. They contribute nothing to the design of any of the major systems of a building. I repeat: they do not design the structure (pfff at the person who said they stand due to architects. Try structural engineers...), they do not design the site work, they do not design the heating/AC, they do not design the electrical, their purpose is EXTREMELY overrated. BTW, nearly every Frank Lloyd Wright building is falling down or has undergone major rehabilitation due to his complete incompetence in the area of making a building that complies with the laws of physics.

Agreed of AL @ Jun 12, 2009 16:30:14 PM