The question I've got is just like in thread title - but here's more story to it, since I'm still a novice in this industry.
TL;DR - Foreign guy who's thinking about getting a license
I graduated in 2015 in Eastern Europe - had a 5 year program in 3 universities in 2 countries (bachelors in one college, masters in another + students exchange). Right after graduation I moved to the US (green card holder here) and got the job from craigslist as a furniture/interior designer. Spent there about two years, after that landed a job in small (5 people) architects office having literally no previous experience in that field (still don't know why they hired me). I was on 3 months probation, after that my boss told me that I'm doing very well, so they hired me full time and I'm working there for about 6 months now as CAD drafter (I might do some renderings in near future, since rendering guy just left and I know the software and rendering engine he was using).
I'm learning some new things everyday - I bought various architecture related books, from construction to starting an architecture startup, simply because although I had 2 years break from architecture when I was working in furniture business, I'm still passionate about it. Also, everything here is different than in my homeland, so a lot of things are new to me.
I did a little bit of research on how to get a license if you're foreigner, and I have some plans in my mind how to approach that, but the question is - is it really worth it? Maybe I should focus on something else instead? Like for example learning some BIM (my office is CAD based, they're thinking about Revit - so far I did bunch of tutorials in spare time and made a sample of CDs, everything by myself) Will this (having license) help me to make more money assuming that I'll keep working for someone else, or is it valuable only if I start my own practice? If this is any factor, I'm 26 at the time, and the reason I'm thinking should I do it or not is because I know it's a sacrifice, and I would have to put a lot of time and effort in order to achieve it. Somewhere down the line I'd love to have my own little studio, but I'm aware that I need much more knowledge and experience.
If you can, sure. It seems like you're willing to go out and learn more to help yourself along. If you're already putting in that time, why not get the license?
It really just depends on what you want out of your career. As a draftsman or BIM guy, you're more likely to be pigeon-holed as a BIM specialist or draftsman for your career. If you enjoy that, cool. If you want to get to the point where you can run your own projects and make decisions about how buildings get built, a license is a good investment. The license gives you room to build a career in deciding how buildings are built. Even if you only ever work for someone else, having a license can help you move up the ladder. Some firms (not all) require a license to move up to project management-type roles.
You may also want to check your jurisdiction if you are serious about eventually owning a studio. In some states, you have to be licensed to be the owner of a firm that offers architectural services.
I can tell you the value of the license for me is twofold:
1. I learned more studying for the exams then I did in all of architecture school. I took the exams after working for about 5 years and going thru the material systematically really helped bring clarity to what I was doing at work, especially WHY we do things the way we do.
2. Credibility to clients and employers. We can debate the value of the license forever and certainly I know plenty of people that I wonder how on earth they are licensed, BUT it's a baseline credential that shows you have at least some idea what you're doing.
Because of both those things, since getting my license three years ago I've been promoted twice and have increased my salary by about $30k. So I think it's worth it. There are certainly other things you can do in architecture that don't require a license, but if you want to be a project architect or eventually run your own firm... just do it. It's 1-2 years of paperwork and studying and then you never have to think about it again (except for when you're scrambling for CEUs...)
I appreciate your answers. Actually what you guys are saying makes a lot of sense, and I kind of knew that studying for ARE's will be very helpful for me, since in office I'm limited mostly to drafting (although I'm starting some construction observation next week, which is exciting). For you ARE's were probably review of some of the things you learned in college, but for me it'll be new thing, so I only hope I'll have enough motivation to study (but I think cost of those exams will be a pretty good motivation to me). Thank you!
Aug 4, 18 2:01 am ·
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Is getting license worth it?
The question I've got is just like in thread title - but here's more story to it, since I'm still a novice in this industry.
TL;DR - Foreign guy who's thinking about getting a license
I graduated in 2015 in Eastern Europe - had a 5 year program in 3 universities in 2 countries (bachelors in one college, masters in another + students exchange). Right after graduation I moved to the US (green card holder here) and got the job from craigslist as a furniture/interior designer. Spent there about two years, after that landed a job in small (5 people) architects office having literally no previous experience in that field (still don't know why they hired me). I was on 3 months probation, after that my boss told me that I'm doing very well, so they hired me full time and I'm working there for about 6 months now as CAD drafter (I might do some renderings in near future, since rendering guy just left and I know the software and rendering engine he was using).
I'm learning some new things everyday - I bought various architecture related books, from construction to starting an architecture startup, simply because although I had 2 years break from architecture when I was working in furniture business, I'm still passionate about it. Also, everything here is different than in my homeland, so a lot of things are new to me.
I did a little bit of research on how to get a license if you're foreigner, and I have some plans in my mind how to approach that, but the question is - is it really worth it? Maybe I should focus on something else instead? Like for example learning some BIM (my office is CAD based, they're thinking about Revit - so far I did bunch of tutorials in spare time and made a sample of CDs, everything by myself) Will this (having license) help me to make more money assuming that I'll keep working for someone else, or is it valuable only if I start my own practice? If this is any factor, I'm 26 at the time, and the reason I'm thinking should I do it or not is because I know it's a sacrifice, and I would have to put a lot of time and effort in order to achieve it. Somewhere down the line I'd love to have my own little studio, but I'm aware that I need much more knowledge and experience.
Thanks
If you can, sure. It seems like you're willing to go out and learn more to help yourself along. If you're already putting in that time, why not get the license?
It really just depends on what you want out of your career. As a draftsman or BIM guy, you're more likely to be pigeon-holed as a BIM specialist or draftsman for your career. If you enjoy that, cool. If you want to get to the point where you can run your own projects and make decisions about how buildings get built, a license is a good investment. The license gives you room to build a career in deciding how buildings are built. Even if you only ever work for someone else, having a license can help you move up the ladder. Some firms (not all) require a license to move up to project management-type roles.
You may also want to check your jurisdiction if you are serious about eventually owning a studio. In some states, you have to be licensed to be the owner of a firm that offers architectural services.
I can tell you the value of the license for me is twofold:
1. I learned more studying for the exams then I did in all of architecture school. I took the exams after working for about 5 years and going thru the material systematically really helped bring clarity to what I was doing at work, especially WHY we do things the way we do.
2. Credibility to clients and employers. We can debate the value of the license forever and certainly I know plenty of people that I wonder how on earth they are licensed, BUT it's a baseline credential that shows you have at least some idea what you're doing.
Because of both those things, since getting my license three years ago I've been promoted twice and have increased my salary by about $30k. So I think it's worth it. There are certainly other things you can do in architecture that don't require a license, but if you want to be a project architect or eventually run your own firm... just do it. It's 1-2 years of paperwork and studying and then you never have to think about it again (except for when you're scrambling for CEUs...)
Church, yo!
that's why i'm doing it - mostly for 1. I learned more studying for the exams then I did in all of architecture school
I appreciate your answers. Actually what you guys are saying makes a lot of sense, and I kind of knew that studying for ARE's will be very helpful for me, since in office I'm limited mostly to drafting (although I'm starting some construction observation next week, which is exciting). For you ARE's were probably review of some of the things you learned in college, but for me it'll be new thing, so I only hope I'll have enough motivation to study (but I think cost of those exams will be a pretty good motivation to me). Thank you!
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