*ten years experience

I received a living wage 2 weeks following graduation. Not everyone ends up like you.

Hm. You must've had a hard time but I know it's hard to be a "Good" architect unless you can think outside of the normal and make it look good or do something not everyone else is doing. Hopefully you can go choose a new career (it's never too late to try managing)

Not everyone ends up like me? How much are you making? I’m sure it’s no where near 100k a year... and what is a living wage for you NS? I’m not trying to be a dick here but that means many things to many people. For example in Canada a living wage is considered $15 an hour the national minimum wage. The fact is that historically if you take the traditional path through this profession you are fucked. Plan and simple. I am not going to lead a kid down a shitty path where so much energy and effort does not pay out to what you will ultimately be making. You will have to pay your dues before making a decent living. You are not going to be rolling down the road with a Benz. This whole bullshit to follow your dreams ... it’s bullshit. Try to support a family of 3 and barely being home with your family. Missing your kids soccer game cause you have to work unpaid overtime. Be stresssed to your wits with contractors cutting every possible corner and looking for every error and omission on your drawings to fuck you. I can go on and on and on. It’s not a glamorous job and I will not sugar coat it. Kraye can take this advice or he can learn the hard way like many of us have...

Being good does

Lost, I’m in Canada too. Started making $45k per year 10y ago and moved up steadily from there. I’ve got great flexibility for my family, freedom to work how I please and plenty of large projects under my belt. I’m now considered “senior” and although there still the washroom or shitty fit up gigs, there are plenty of
interesting challenges.

Architecture is defiantly not a glamorous job, but it's unique. But who knows I may end up hating it and doing something else or enjoy it and keep going with high pay or decent pay (aka like Idk what's "Decent" but I assume ~60-70k) 100k is hard to get and not everyone will ever. get to it.

Be aware: If you think 60-70K is decent after six years of college, IDP, licensing exam, student debt, etc., your standards are waaayyyy too low. You can deliver packages for FedEx and make more.  And most architecture jobs are in larger, expensive cities.  100K a year in Dubuque, Iowa may be good money, but you'll be living in a cardboard box if you're in San Fran.

I'm happy at my job and I can afford the things I need to maintain a pleasurable lifestyle. Who gives a fuck about anything more than that? If the FedEx driver makes more, that's great for them!

I've always felt that if your ultimate goal is money, best case scenario is you end up a miserable rich person.

Non Sequitur is speaking from a place of contentment. I can appreciate that. He makes a decent salary, but is happy with it. OneLostArchitect is speaking from a place of wanting more in life, which I can also appreciate. Frankly, I have been on both sides of the fence. If you are either the content type of person ... or ... ambitious from an artistic standpoint and do not care much for your finances, then stay in architecture and do your best and you will achieve a small level of financial freedom - even with big projects under your belt. But if you are ambitious from a financial standpoint, leave the profession, which is what I did. I love architecture, but not as much as I love luxury. Not trying to be a dick or anything, but I am now the envy of some of my Non Sequitur type ex colleagues. In finance for example, you will make anywhere from double to ten times what you make in architecture for the same amount of work. I am what some of my architect friends call a 'sell out'. Which is true. It comes down to what you want for yourself and your family. But think about it, while architecture is for dreamers, a life of luxury (unattainable for 99 percent of architects out there) in itself is also a dream isnt it? It comes down to what you want for yourself, but make the decision early. OneLostArchitect's comments resonated deeply within me because it was what I went through. I took the same path he did without any regrets and am now living a life that others envy. But that in itself has its own separate set of problems.

tduds , thats so typical. Why do architects always love to think only in black or white? As you said - Its either passion or miserable rich person for you. Architecture school has poisoned you into thinking that making money as a goal (even if its one of many life's goals) is an inherent evil. What about those who are in the grey areas - passionate about what they do (non-architecture related) and all round happy and able to provide very well for their family, with a healthy degree of contentment? It comes down to individual choices on what really matters to them. Life is not always black and white.

Agree with OneLostArchitect here.

If you are sane money matter more than passion.

Not talking about being rich here, just planning to have a balanced life where you can afford simple stuff, put some money aside and pay a mortgage.

Yeah I've seen 50/50 on Architects and I'm not sure what people consider "Low pay", what areas they are doing, etc. And atm yes I do, I live in a place where new architecture is being made everyday while the old is still loved by many (100 yr + homes). I've realized that I shouldn't design big homes or stuff but instead make reasonable sized apartments or homes or if I want to go broad create something like idk.. a museum shell. I'm still not sure what college to go to for architecture because two of my top choices for college have a gap in price of 50k with a supposed difference of income with the 70k (USC) making 1k more than the 20k (Cali Poly Tech).

Dumb? Oh fuck off NS... you are like many other dreamers I went to school with. I never wanted to be a rockstar... just make a decent living, support a family, and have a good work life balance. That’s all.

I mean being optimistic can help push through stress even now, but I know it won't go far enough. As long as I can make a decent living, support a family, and have a good work life balance, I'll be satisfied through the salary aspect. It's more my worry I'll not have the proper style for the current time whenever or if I should try to either "modernize old styles" or make something way new.

Kraye its simple. If you want numbers : To get paid at least USD 100,000 per year as an architect could take you at least 10 years or more or never. To get paid at least USD 100,000 per year in other professions like tech or finance you can do it anywhere from 1 to 3 years. Imagine where your salary would be 10 years after that in tech / finance? Anywhere from USD 250k a year to a few million USD a year - depending on how good you are. So it comes down to contentment - how much is enough for you and your family. I was ambitious financially - unlike some of my more conservative architect friends who are still dreaming design. So i left and never looked back. But remember, sometimes the profession chooses you, not the other way around. You have to be good at what you do to earn lots of money. So, choose a profession you love that you know can pay you well - if money is one part of your objective. If not, then choose architecture.

Oh, one more simple truth - Apart from those who are contented with their profession.... I have never, ever, met anyone who left one profession to pursue a better paying profession have deep regrets (since they have the option of downgrading to a lower paying job for the sake of passion at any time). But I have met people who never dared to make the switch from one profession to another end up depressed at what they do.

I'd like to know what do you consider "Low pay", I know the long hours, well yes there's alot of things you're liable for, the career is wonky and have it's ups and downs, how bad have you experienced (also are you male or female because there may be a sexism issue), and I'll still probably be the poor boy in the social circle since all my friends want to be lawyers or doctors etc. And time will tell :)

Just to add to geezers comments... you are also at the mercy of the economy. I survived the Great Recession of 2017 and a lot of my colleagues were not so lucky. Right now the profession is rolling along nicely... but it’s all a big cycle. wait till the next economic crash which is more than likely the time have a use you might be entering.

*2007... it’s past my bedtime

2007 was a rough time for anyone, Idk how the industry will be like when I would conceivably graduate college in 2025 or 2026.

After six years of higher ed., possibly even an Ivy degree(s), you should expect to make what other professionals with similar credentials make. You won't. Check out median earnings of dentists, CPA's, corporate middle managers, etc. They will be way ahead of you.

As for the economy, it will always be cyclical. And real estate/construction will always get hit harder than most because it runs on borrowed money. Unemployment offices will always look and smell the same.

Kraye, if you want to know what 'low pay' means it is subjective. From an architect's perspective, low pay would have an entirely different meaning from a financier's perspective. Having been on both sides of the fence, I can tell you from first hand experience that a good handful of architects may dream of the USD 100k salary ... but this is considered very low in Wall St where the average salary ranges from USD 300k to USD 700k (average USD 500k). So low is very subjective. Ask yourself which is more important to you, then make a firm decision to follow through on whether to leave architecture or stay. I completely understand Non Sequitur's approach to life, he is content and that I admire. But I also understand OneLost Architect's view, which resonates closer to me. Some may call you a sell out. But trust me - you will not care about the negativity once you start staying in the best homes, driving the best cars and having a gorgeous bombshell of a wife right next to you. As for those who throw dirt on your party, they probably do so because they are just jealous. Ask yourself which is more important without concern about being a sell out. You will find your truth there.

And what geezertect said about being the poor boy in the circle. He is right. You may not care about it now. But you will start to feel it as you grow older. You might even shy away from your friends in more financially lucrative professions because you know they move in 'higher' circles. Make the switch while you are young if this is important to you. However, if you are strong in the realm of contentment, then I'd say follow your dream in being an architect. I personally know my limitations and don't think I am the contented type. So I left the profession and have had no regrets.

sigh, gotta check the timestamps on these.

I have for a few places I want to possibly go and my own area.. And in what way do you mean "expand" also yes it's very wonky of a business where crashes will break people and their jobs.

Not bc of money don't worry. I like managing but I'm not sure.. hmmm.

Construction management and project management doesn't necessarily require a degree. I work in project management and my only post secondary education was to become an electrician.

^ Great post.

Yes, agreed, great post. I wholeheartedly agree with Miles's suggestion to consider 2 year technical programs, though I still must say the 4-5 year "arty" degree may still look better (i.e., ~top 10 schools) on paper and thus allow you to more easily get your foot in the door. A program that focuses on more technical aspects will better prepare you for starting your career, but again: "An important thing to recognize from the start is that the education is shit in that it does not prepare you to do anything other than enter the workforce as a peon." Just spitballing.

Does anyone's firm actually do this? The only times I've seen a highschooler at the firms I've worked at is when the kid was one of the partners' children/neices/nephews. They never touched redlines or software of any kind. They did grunt work for the admin assistants and got coffee, etc. The ones who would listen or had their eyes open recognized that at a highschool level, they could perform what interns with 4-year bachelors were doing, and connected the dots to understand that the 4-year bachelor interns were being paid highschool level wages. They either recognized that they'd run the company one day because of their name, or recognized that there was no reason to stick around or go into the profession.

Great response jose. You either figure out if you are privileged enough or that you'd never want to work in an architecture firm. I grew up 90 miles from any sizable city so I never got to see much of anything as a high schooler much less a professional office. Hence the advice (don't do what I did.)

Shrug, we've got a lot of slow people in the office, and that's a problem. Still, overall, unless you're a PA, I'd expect you to be detailing and setting up sheets according to the firm's standards and the PA's guidelines, and I'd expect the firm to be able to make money off of you. I agree we show way too much, but I've not been sued yet, nor have I had to stand in front of a jury trying to explain my specs and drawings to prove that it wasn't a design flaw. *shrug* I've heard that architects are billed out at $120 and interns at $85. I've also heard that excepting extenuating circumstances, highest ups are billed at $225. These numbers are way lower than billings for doctors, lawyers, etc... so there's only so much efficiency you can squeeze out of those numbers. You're not going to make the formula work out paying a PA $200k and billing him at $150, for instance.

So it’s not 100% worth trying to get into an expensive af college just to say you went there and get the supposedly best architecture education? Also I know no job is overall “ideal” and ensures wealth forever. What style of Architecture do you do that is making you feel mostly good but also can feel annoyed at times?

Go to a school that is teaching and whose student portfolios look like the architecture you are interested in. Many state schools are very good, if you do the 4 +2 route you can get a perspective from two different programs. Take time to figure this out as it is your career and it is worth taking all the time you need to make an informed decision.

The 5 year professional route is really nice for a number of reasons surrounding the scholarship money on the table for undergrads compared to grads, the 1 year less of tuition, and the cost difference for graduate programs vs undergrads. I went to Georgia Tech 4+2 and at the time, didn't even know about Auburn's 5 year professional program. I didn't even decide on architecture until my freshman orientation program. My family is in the construction trades (laborers... first to go to college) and many of the engineering options sounded quite boring. $$ wise, if I wanted to do it over again and stay on the design side, I should have chosen Electrical Engineering, though most programs, gatech included, teach micro electrical engineering (computers) way more than your basics. Also, many EEs end up working for the local power company, designing power stations, etc. In fact, word on the street is your structural engineer, civil engineer, EE, ME, and PE are all basically the C students in school who couldn't get a better/more mainstream roll in their respective trades. YMMV

Go and enjoy one of themsot beautiful courses! If you love it ...go and do it! I am a successful IT professional that heard the bad advice at 19 and dropped from Arch School. 20 years later, at 39 and with a good salary I am back at uni doing what I love. Money is good but satisfaction is better...Money is an answer of what you do well and value myself. Had lived and travelled and experienced other paths I am never been so sure that the Arch Degree is for me...If I never work or get my registration I will still be satisfied....Go what you feel is right a
nd enjoy

Alrightly, I’m thinking on minoring in some business field to be able to eventually make a firm, is that a good idea even if the whole architect job doesn’t go well? One of my family members went to college for Engineering and now is a manager of a big for its purpose place and does fine I think.

Yes. Taking business subjects or exposing yourself to business/management is always a good route. It's something you're not really exposed to in academe: the business of architecture, whether it's running a firm, real estate, etc. These are things you'll essentially need to know later on. It can help you run a firm, but more so it can help you (knowledgeably) with taking on other ventures as well.

The sacrifice.

Is is worse than high school stress? (I haven’t had a “breakdown” yet but ppl get very stressful) What is (in your mind) an ideal wage?

Yes.  Not that high school is always a day at the beach, but adult stress goes on and on.

Ah okk. I also Heard your social skills help a lot if you don’t make good impressions in stuff, you’ll struggle more even if you’re the best designer in town

A lot of people without any talent, skill or much intelligence make it on social skills alone. Reread this entire thread, and do it without looking for answers that reinforce your beliefs.

And more relevance to the real world.  Not just a bunch of architectural cliches that will look dumb, hokey and dated in a few years when the current idioms fall from favor, as they inevitably do.

Looked into that too last year we’ll see how it all turns out also geezertect Wdum with your second sentence?

Civil engineering involves providing sanitation facilities, potable drinking water, safe bridges, efficient infrastructure, etc. Most of your architectural education will be some type of aesthetic theorizing, which doesn't do the vast majority of people any good. Just a little artsy game. The real world of practice is somewhat more relevant, but a lot of the most important practical things have been farmed out to consultants, because the architects have been brainwashed that anything other than art is just too pedestrian and beneath them. You get this mindset in school and some folks never outgrow it.

I thought we were brainwashed into fearing responsibility and risk. My wife, a civil eng, went the transit route, and except for our conversations, has no idea how buildings/bridges/roads/culverts/etc (transit related or otherwise) work. Instead she can tell you about airport traffic control related issues, bus timing and bus/transit mapping systems, etc. She has fancy charts and specialized software (partly designed by her) to tell her the whens, hows, whys, what-to-dos, etc surrounding any hiccup in a system, say a late or broken down bus, repair schedules on any given plane, etc.

Despite a lot of negative comments being excused as "reality checks," I think you should do whatever you think is right for you Kraye. Go out there and build. Put your mind into it. If you don't enjoy it, change major, no pressure. You still have a lot of time to decide so just look into it. People act like it's the end of the world and would tell you "you won't make it this you won't make it that...," just because they aren't content with whatever situation they're in. For the user geezertect to dismiss the arts like the world doesn't indulge in them on the daily, you're missing the point. There's no such architect who would think that "anything other than art is pedestrian or beneath them." They have all the respects for other STEM majors as they do for the Humanities. It's a balance in between the arts and sciences, so don't mindlessly dismiss their efforts and contribution to the society. Did you even think about what you said? Yes, there are ups and downs to this field, but each person have it differently. Many of those who are discontent with it are the same people who only looks for financial stability. It's completely understandable, as they want to earn a living and support their family or even themselves (which I don't think many of the architects who lives alone have trouble in). But there are also those who wants to see the world and travel, take on many different projects. They can work for the entertainment industry, urban planning and design, landscape design, generally any field to make the world look better. I can guarantee you it's not only the arts involved in this major. Although of course, aesthetic elements are needed to enhance a structure's appeal to occupiers. The place you live in, the restaurants you've been to, the museums, theme parks you visit, or literally almost any building you've encounter, an architect's behind the design so yeah, they're highly in demand. Civil Engineer isn't for everyone, same goes for doctors and lawyers. Tons of people want to major in that and ends up changing or dropping out. Imagine suggesting someone to be a surgeon when they just want to be a veterinarian and be around animals.

I am just saying the poster should consider civil engineering. He can go to the best state schools for $10,000 to $14,000 a year if he is an in-state student. These are schools like Georgia Tech, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, Purdue University, University of Texas, Texas A&M, University of Wisconsin, ect. Those schools are ranked far higher in engineering than the Ivy's that charge $60,000 at up. Students the poster's age have a variety of interests and abilities they should explore. Pigeonholing himself into a slot as severely-indebted architect cad-monkey is not very wise. Those are precisely the poor graduates who are in their parents' basement.

1) I’m a she

2) I just Went on a college “road trip” and saw 12 colleges from sunday to today and creating pros and cons. I have time to figure out what exactly but architecture is my start and I know You can do more can just architecture with it if you do it right. But yes it’s true I could Either try for a really expensive school (like USC with a 72k yr cost) or cheaper (public universities or Cali Poly tech ~27k a year? Cost) and could get the exact same education. Als
o ivy in my mind is overrated.

$72K a year for an architecture degree is certifiable lunacy. Don't do it.

Cal poly at Obispo is a good school. Learn as much as you can OUTSIDE of school though too.

Yep i know Cal Poly Tech is what I want to get into #1 choice. The average GPA is really high though considering it's over 4.0 and my school doesn't do weighed GPAs.

Both of the Cal Polys, SLO & Pomona, are good schools - I have worked with many graduates of both, as well as many graduates of "more prestigious" schools, and I have seen little difference in the ability levels.

Code like your life depends on it.

I go on. creatice servers and build and not many have said that they rlly want to be architects but MC really helps me visualize my build ideas. I draw A front view, and simple floor plans. Build the front and build the outlines for the build and then go from there and try to build something cool. Then if Id want to, redraw the full thing from MC and see how it looks again on drawing. Minecraft is underrated but building on it helps so much despite the blocky limits.

Isn't Minecraft just a digital Lego universe?

Kraye, I'm with @ken on this. Keep digging and making and designing. You should research SCI-Arc (a way overpriced school) but they teach a lot of overlap between architecture, gaming and animation. They are LA-based and there's so much money to be made in the tech/gaming side of architectural design. The degree in architecture itself isn't totally useless. You can use it as a launchpad into other fields.

Oh I’ve been reading all these msgs and the bad rllydont get to me and I’ve heard worse and I’ve seen the best my mind still hasn’t changed my mind on not doing it. But Id like to thank everyone in the thread with their viewpoint on Architecture so I see The best worse happiest and saddest etc. seeing other points of views have helped me a lot and my mind Is still the same. All now is for me to decide my style and on this trip seeing the college architecture styles I’ve seen what I like, dislike and now trying to think of “styles” to I guess “Master” to make me unique to other architects

Fate, luck, others, and your own choosing help shape your path. I didnt even know Architecture was a huge career till 2 years ago when my friends parent mentioned they hired an architect to make their incredible house (and really expensive). And there’s some clues in photos of my interests in design and buildings. But I’ve always wanted something related to STEM and technically architecture if you look at it properly is a STEAM.

Architecture is a Steam? You mean it's vaporous. I agree.

STEAM = Science Technology Engineering (Art) and Mathematics. I said STEAM since there's some art aspect in it.

If STEM is what you're interested in, make sure you pick the right school. Sure, most architecture schools involve STEM to some degree but its very basic. Engineers would think its a joke. Not to say there aren't architectural school that aren't heavily STEM focused.

Alright it's STEM. Some camps have called it STEAM so I assumed. And yeah some schools are more design focused than the actual structure being stable.

I'll look it up

Yes. There are good opportunities for western trained architects in other countries.

If you want to work internationally, think of where you'd like to go and learn that language. If you think you'll ultimately end up back in SoCal, Spanish is great, because you'll be able to communicate with construction crews a lot better than I can.

Been starting one since about last year. But I'm only a freshman right now so I have time to get stuff set up to tackle the world. Stuff may change by then but young age is still a thing, so I must wait and only practice, watch, and do camps if anything.

So it's better to be an "Overall" architect than a "Specialized mostly to one style" one?

"Basic threshold of competency" - something around the level of being able to dress yourself. A bonus it you can tie your own shoes.

Architecture isn't about "style"

So my plan of taking more STEM camps instead of design camps is a good plan? I also do robotics at my school and has helped my building, design, and electronics abilities.

What is design camp? Robotics is good. Learning to think is good.

there's design camps offered for high schoolers where you learn color schemes and stuff. It sounded something I could do on my own so I chose an actual STEM camp instead with design challenges using STEM and I've done them since I was in about 3rd grade

Like I said, visit an architect’s office if you are serious about it. And work construction for at least one summer. Get a job to help pay for college, build a work history and work ethic.

Architecture school graduates who can build really great models and renderings in Rhino are a dime a dozen; technical architects who can make the roof not leak are worth their weight in gold.

Unfortunately, many in the profession have this bassackwards and give more respect to the "design stars," but that's not unique to architecture - we live in a time that values style over substance. \

Can you rephrase this comment? I'm confused.

Oh ok. I knew that

You just typed a whole load of nonsense. No where did I mention wanting to make a million dollars. I said if you want to be able to retire and not live in a shanty (unless your partner makes money), don't become an architect.

Rick’s paragraph is confusing because well of course architects aren’t making millions. Lawyers and doctors and successful business owners do. There’s the top in every career that make tons while others don’t pay well. Area does vary and since architecture is mainly in the city the costs are more expensive. I know this stuff. If anything it takes time to get high salaries. Also sclubbed? Is that work their butts off in college?

;)

A. Lawyers don't make millions. I doubt even partners do. Associates might make $100-150k. Graduates are barely getting hired. B. If you are in the business of just making pretty things you are an absolutely crappy architect. Gehry and Zaha (RIP) fit in this category. Good architects protect quite a few lives. C. I'm not going to argue with you that we may not be needed, but to say humans don't need buildings is one of the dumbest sentences I've ever read. Buildings would rank in the top 3 of things humans need. Food and water being the first two. Humans don't need iPhone but people developing them and selling them are quite wealthy. Humans don't need facebook. Humans don't need cars. Should I go on? Left outside of the supervision of an architect you get shitty unsafe buildings that may or may not function as intended. You know how many contractors truly care about code violations if they can get away with it? You know how many inspectors actually inspect? You know how many engineers give a damn about the design outside of thwir own incredibly specific role? RickB is the utter definition of what is wrong with the profession. He's reduced us to pretty picture drawers. If we could force his kind out of the profession (if he is ev
en actually a licensed architect ) we would be much better off.

Ok that’s makes way more sense and more logical. Also compared to many counties people are very money driven in the US. From what I’ve seen, Architecture makes a great salary average for a single person, but for a family of four ~75k isn’t that good. As long as I’m able to have a liveable salary, I’m down for architecture.

RickB, I hate to say this (actually I don't) but you are nothing more than a long winded buffoon. Society ceases to exist as we know it without buildings. A lot of my clients couldn't even figure out a 13x20 room renovation without an architect. Sure the contractor could come in and give them 1/4 of what they needed, but who wants that? Again, only bad architects aren't involved in the construction phase. Most contractors are barely anymore either. They are brokers. You know who is actually doing the construction? A guy getting paid minimum wage or the minimum amount the government says he is allowed on a scale job. THOSE are the dudes we need to be praising. I mean... they're building the building. Let's give them all the credit. Furthermore, nobody bats an eye at paying realtors 6%. F***ING realtors. Somebody that an Internet search and $500 contractual attorney fee should have put out of business 20 years ago but they still make bank. Your ramblings are nonsensical. You seem to have little grasp of the profession or the construction industry in general. The only thing you have going for you is hopefully you are discouraging this poor teenage soul to avoid this doomed profession like the plague. Now get lost.

Periodic observation and contract administration are two different things, per AIA contract definitions. You're throwing a lot of CA tasks into the Balkins definition of "observation". Just be aware that the Balkins definition doesn't equal the AIA definition, and you're the only one using the former.

Ok let's not fight thanks. But Rick, what you're saying SEEMS like you either aren't an architect or just hate the profession. You seem to support with government names and numbers. Maybe Oregon has a different way and don't make as much as other states do. But, thanks for a viewpoint with statics (that I don't know where they came from).

Kraye, ever see The Goonies? Rick is from that town.

Good Lord. We have a guy without a license and probably without a traditional architectural educational track trying to define the profession. Like I said earlier, get lost. You are nothing but hot air and bulls***

Kraye: Richard is only a "building designer" in his imagination. He is 36 years old, now in his 18th year of community college, and has never designed any building that has been built.

He went looking for the pirate treasure when he was a kid and fell down a well. He’s never been right since.

Let's not cyberbully here please, do that in the DMs if anything. But Rick, great summary of something I've never heard of. Glad for YoureYoureYore and Rick's POV on the idea and career of architecture.

Wow that's 30,000 per hr!

60 million a year. Ain't bad work if you can get it.

Aha I’ll just profession in locks and work every single second on locks. Love the humor

Hardware specifier. I meet maybe 1 out of every 100 architects who know how to do hardware specs and don't want to blow their brains out afterwards. I happen to like them, but our firm refuses to allow it done in-house.

Anything specialized makes good money. Being a generalist is fun but you pay for the privilege.

Thanks great summary with the pros and cons. I hope To shadow sometime before senior year. Maybe like 3 people would be the best to see different perspectives of the top middle and right out of school

I'm going to advise NOT shadowing an architect. It'll suck the life out of you.

Why would people accept unpaid internships, they need to pay for college. I guess some just are so eager to get a job ASAP instead of researching more. Also, I've already had 1 person who's an architect asked if I wanted to see a daily life of theirs, which I haven't done, but I might ask my parents about it to do this summer when I have the time.

Ah so some don't know what their doing. I've seen that with 2 story homes being built around me for 800k-1m in a 200k-400k ramblers neighborhoods and the houses are from this really bad team that just plop houses everywhere. They look nice, sometimes, but they have so many technical issues with plumbing and electricity. The young new families with these homes keep having plumbers and electricians come over and fix things every 6 months. It's ridiculous and I wish better homes were being built or at least with better quality for their money. Also I should get licensed when them time comes right?

THANKS RICK!

Yep, I've watched a few videos of "Architecture Students Youtubers" and many say it's very busy and the whole time I'm like, this is a lot like my SS and english classes. It can be super hard, intense, and time consuming, but once you're done, everything will be easier and you'll be more prepared. And if it all goes bad, I could go for another career and do something else, my parent went for engineering and never used their degree for their current job and has a stable salary... I think. I don't want to live in Cali (forever) or NY, if it goes well I'd come back to my city right now and help it grow and architects do quite well here (more on the residence aspect I think.) That's cool you turned to becoming a Lawyer and shows you can still change careers even if you go for college in your 18s-22s for one degree, you can go back for a different one.

I try, but I’m a rubbernect.

But you can never get back all the potentially awesome experiences in college denied when spending all nighters in studio.

You suggest there is a thing as a "right career". Wouldn't that be nice. I don't think it exists.

No such thing as a perfect career, but some are definitely better than others.

Rick,

There isn’t enough demand for arranging facade elements in a stylish manner.

I just watched the whole video, it's a very true fact passion and abilities are two different things and abilities are more important. You don't know if I want to go traditional or not, maybe I'll go another way, I have 3 different possible path plans and maybe 1 is traditional. Architecture is very competitive, i know, you need the skills more than the passion. But you need also willingness, you can be an AMAZING uh debater, but you would rather go into something that doesn't involve speaking. Or love science but never want to go into that field. There's many factors and going another way can be the key i've heard, but it depends. It's not lousy but if you go the wrong way, like in any job, you go into a hell hole.

"There isn’t enough demand for arranging facade elements in a stylish manner."

I haven't arranged facade elements in quite a while, don't miss it one bit. What I miss least about it is that certain arrangements are disqualified simply because "that's not how we like it", or, "we don't do symmetry" or "we don't do asymmetry" etc.

Good move. Was your father unhappy or relieved?

Assuming you've gotten that as a spam text. This is a common occurrence in the FB The EntreArchitect group. You should reply and direct it to the Balkinator.

Well said. Every profession has its own flavor of KoolAid that everyone seems to drink. Sometimes you really envy the people who are in occupations that no one would ever do except for money, because there is a beautiful honesty about it. No shaming language when you criticize things or, god forbid, escape to something better.  Both hookers and johns know what they want and what they are willing to do to get it.