When the topic of work comes up in conversation with strangers or new friends, you get to say "I'm an architect," see that impressed look, then hear them say "Wow. I always wanted to be an architect." I never get tired of this.
While I know nothing of OP's background or intent in starting this thread, I applaud his/her attempt to look at our profession in a positive, constructive manner. Increasingly, I lose patience with those who automatically feel the need to instantaneously bring a sour, cynical attitude to a thread of this nature.
Our personal attitude is only thing over which we each have total control. We can choose to have a negative attitude, or we can choose to have a positive attitude. We can choose to look at the bright side, or we can choose to look at the negatives. Taking responsible control of your own attitude is the most important thing one can do to influence the outcomes in one's own life.
However, there is a certain amount of naivete that is promulgated at the college level. Arch departments gloss over the realities of the profession. With a proper understanding of both the pros and the cons of the field, a graduate can take his/her career in the direction they want. Knowledge is power--and knowing that not everything above is true will make you a better professional.
so we're not allowed to be humorously cynical anymore? I don't know if I like relentlessly positive and constructive threads. I was happier when this profession was filled with self-destructive, overly erudite and obtuse intellegista. now I'm no longer certain if the average forum reader can distinguish between satire or hyperbole and genuine negativity.
I guess that's the problem when you let too many hoi polloi into the profession. you no longer get to make fun of their inane aphorisms. now if you would excuse me, I see a student pinning up.
2.5 years ago....one of the nations largest mixed use projects, country clubs, etc.....since; crappy, mundane, mind numbing boring school "modernizations. Yes, there are times when I CHOOSE to be in a bad fucking mood.
Fromages, you beat me to it. I pretty much had the same thoughts as I read through the list.
Yeah it's negative, but I see it the same way. I love architecture as a topic and it instantly makes me popular at parties, but that wasn't enough from keeping me to see a career counselor today and see what else I can do with my degree.
So you think you understand structural loads and their effects on a building, when you don't know jack~ your always pulling it out of yer ashe. You know like when you looking at a 100 lb psf for a commerical deck load and then you ask yourself should you even have to consider the snow load, cause the deck isn't going to be used when it is winter...
I chose the profession mainly due to #2, #4 & #7 above, but now I really appreciate #3, #9 & #10. I am doing something totally different from what I expected to be doing right now, but I really like where I am in my life. I never imagined that I would give up designing (and be this happy about it).
If the people who are complaining would of been accountants / bankers/ doctors or any other job .. they would still be bitching about that job on that professions forum so architect seems pretty good to me so far I enjoy going to my summer internship daily I don't make much $$ but satisfaction is great. a Plus most the architects I have met who are not just some rich trust funder who had to work for a living are pretty good people
Jun 17, 11 10:33 am ·
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10 Reasons to be an Architect
1. It’s a lifestyle, not a job.
2. People respect architects.
3. Job is constantly evolving.
4. Artistic freedom and personal expression.
5. You can be your own boss.
6. There are tangible (and sometimes euphoric) results.
7. We can positively impact people’s lives.
8. Experimentation is expected.
9. Longevity of Career.
10. Incredible variety of options within the profession.
11. you don't have to wear a suit and tie.
When the topic of work comes up in conversation with strangers or new friends, you get to say "I'm an architect," see that impressed look, then hear them say "Wow. I always wanted to be an architect." I never get tired of this.
2. People respect architects.
Just not enough to pay them what they're worth . . .
...you're still in school, right?
1. It’s a lifestyle, not a job.
it's the only legitimate career that you can go into if you are a sadistic bootlicker.
2. People respect architects.
LOL - good one.
3. Job is constantly evolving.
right - it just gets suckier and suckier.
4. Artistic freedom and personal expression.
...when you're hiding pornographic imagery at an infinitesimally small scale on the CAD drawings.
5. You can be your own boss.
LOL another good one.
6. There are tangible (and sometimes euphoric) results.
during coke-fueled orgies with other severely angular frigid people.
7. We can positively impact people’s lives.
...the people who pay us.
8. Experimentation is expected.
with anti-depressants.
9. Longevity of Career.
until you die from alcohol poisoning in a public restroom.
10. Incredible variety of options within the profession.
CAD monkey, Render monkey, design monkey, detail monkey...
While I know nothing of OP's background or intent in starting this thread, I applaud his/her attempt to look at our profession in a positive, constructive manner. Increasingly, I lose patience with those who automatically feel the need to instantaneously bring a sour, cynical attitude to a thread of this nature.
Our personal attitude is only thing over which we each have total control. We can choose to have a negative attitude, or we can choose to have a positive attitude. We can choose to look at the bright side, or we can choose to look at the negatives. Taking responsible control of your own attitude is the most important thing one can do to influence the outcomes in one's own life.
I would tend to agree with File on this one.
However, there is a certain amount of naivete that is promulgated at the college level. Arch departments gloss over the realities of the profession. With a proper understanding of both the pros and the cons of the field, a graduate can take his/her career in the direction they want. Knowledge is power--and knowing that not everything above is true will make you a better professional.
so we're not allowed to be humorously cynical anymore? I don't know if I like relentlessly positive and constructive threads. I was happier when this profession was filled with self-destructive, overly erudite and obtuse intellegista. now I'm no longer certain if the average forum reader can distinguish between satire or hyperbole and genuine negativity.
I guess that's the problem when you let too many hoi polloi into the profession. you no longer get to make fun of their inane aphorisms. now if you would excuse me, I see a student pinning up.
2.5 years ago....one of the nations largest mixed use projects, country clubs, etc.....since; crappy, mundane, mind numbing boring school "modernizations. Yes, there are times when I CHOOSE to be in a bad fucking mood.
Fromages, you beat me to it. I pretty much had the same thoughts as I read through the list.
Yeah it's negative, but I see it the same way. I love architecture as a topic and it instantly makes me popular at parties, but that wasn't enough from keeping me to see a career counselor today and see what else I can do with my degree.
So you think you understand structural loads and their effects on a building, when you don't know jack~ your always pulling it out of yer ashe. You know like when you looking at a 100 lb psf for a commerical deck load and then you ask yourself should you even have to consider the snow load, cause the deck isn't going to be used when it is winter...
I chose the profession mainly due to #2, #4 & #7 above, but now I really appreciate #3, #9 & #10. I am doing something totally different from what I expected to be doing right now, but I really like where I am in my life. I never imagined that I would give up designing (and be this happy about it).
I chose it because of almost all 10...and now I am 100% with fromages, although I do think the general person still respects architects.
to OP....but the reality is pretty much the opposite.
Okay, I'll try to stick with the more upbeat side of this.
1. No punching in and out
2. Access to interesting clients
3. Opportunity to make better cities
4. Creating a sketch and seeing a gaggle of people turn it into physical form (sometimes overnight!) - I'll never get over this.
5. Constantly being able to learn
6. Problem solving in a team of creative, smart people
7. Opportunity to travel (with an expense account!)
8. Making beautiful things
9. Being admired by seductive and beautiful women (no, wait - I think I just had an Anthony Weiner moment)
10. We can post on Archinect!
If the people who are complaining would of been accountants / bankers/ doctors or any other job .. they would still be bitching about that job on that professions forum so architect seems pretty good to me so far I enjoy going to my summer internship daily I don't make much $$ but satisfaction is great. a Plus most the architects I have met who are not just some rich trust funder who had to work for a living are pretty good people
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