My name is Shawn.B am 26 and have been a stonemason for 6 years, I have always planned to move into the drawing/design part of the industry, by climbing the ladder. Combining my art n design btec and my experience with technical drawing together with with my experience as a stone mason. However as time has moved on, it became apparent that was not gonna happen, unless I take matters into my own hands.
I have got a spot at a University doing a 5 year, one day a week, architecture BA course, I was planning to do the course,along side a job in an architectural firm.
However with both my age and the current climate being against me, I am wondering if there is a better or different route for the path I wish to take.
BA or B.Arch? Make sure the degree is NAAB accredited that you can get a license when you get out. A 31 year old entry-level architect with your construction experience would not present an age issue for most prospective employers.
On the other hand, I wonder if there is more opportunity in becoming a really top-notch stonemason/stone contractor?
Check the salary poll and the stories about student loan debt on these forums. Not sure what you’re making as a mason, but you’ll be making peanuts as an entry level architect. And it does not matter in the slightest what you did prior to architecture. Architects count anything outside the profession as 0 years experience. On the flip side a general contractor would gladly welcome your hands on skills. Also do a bit of searching on the forums about how much (very little) actual ‘design’ you’ll be doing for the bulk of your entry level time. You may find yourself quite disallusioned rather quickly and possibly not worth the pay cut and money spent on schooling.
This is a really good point about salary and starting at the bottom. I will add, though, that the masonry background could be helpful in certain niche markets. I work in preservation, and we like draftsmen who have had extensive hands-on experience. They typically work really well with our teams, especially younger interns, to explain how installation happens in the field. This background is also immensely helpful when working with a contractor who may have been the lowest bidder, but not necessarily the most qualified, and needs some guidance. As a side note, it is extremely hard to find experienced masons to take on specialty jobs like our work requires. As more of the older generation retires, it gets harder to find qualified masons. This could be a lucrative opportunity for the OP if he wanted to stay in a hands-on position or even start his own masonry contracting business.
I hire the people for my firm and frankly I value construction experience quite a lot. I do, however, agree that most idiot firms may not feel the same way. I agree with thatsthat that there could be some real opportunities for a skilled mason in the historic preservation area. I know a couple of specialist outfits that travel to work all over the USA, due to the lack of skilled people in most markets.
there isn't enough about you in your post to say what to do. if you want to do architecture, then persist in studying it and finding related jobs. you don't need to have a perfect plan, just keep at it.
"it became apparent that was not gonna happen, unless I take matters into my own hands" - this is true of everything important in life. think this through and learn to believe it; it will make your whole life better.
look up mies van der rohe for inspiration. he was a stonemason who became one of the most important architects of the twentieth century.
In need of professional advice
My name is Shawn.B am 26 and have been a stonemason for 6 years, I have always planned to move into the drawing/design part of the industry, by climbing the ladder. Combining my art n design btec and my experience with technical drawing together with with my experience as a stone mason. However as time has moved on, it became apparent that was not gonna happen, unless I take matters into my own hands.
I have got a spot at a University doing a 5 year, one day a week, architecture BA course, I was planning to do the course,along side a job in an architectural firm.
However with both my age and the current climate being against me, I am wondering if there is a better or different route for the path I wish to take.
Your guidance would be much appreciated
Shawn.B
Continue into advanced stonemasonry? Carving, sculpting, etc...?
BA or B.Arch? Make sure the degree is NAAB accredited that you can get a license when you get out. A 31 year old entry-level architect with your construction experience would not present an age issue for most prospective employers.
On the other hand, I wonder if there is more opportunity in becoming a really top-notch stonemason/stone contractor?
Credentials don’t hurt, follow through.
Do you have any desire to teach sculpture or stone masonry?
Do you like working with your hands more than working at a desk?
check out this link - https://lukeiseman.com/agse.pd... (book)
take some sketching class, some CAD/REVIT classes
and you're qualified.
This is a really good point about salary and starting at the bottom. I will add, though, that the masonry background could be helpful in certain niche markets. I work in preservation, and we like draftsmen who have had extensive hands-on experience. They typically work really well with our teams, especially younger interns, to explain how installation happens in the field. This background is also immensely helpful when working with a contractor who may have been the lowest bidder, but not necessarily the most qualified, and needs some guidance. As a side note, it is extremely hard to find experienced masons to take on specialty jobs like our work requires. As more of the older generation retires, it gets harder to find qualified masons. This could be a lucrative opportunity for the OP if he wanted to stay in a hands-on position or even start his own masonry contracting business.
I hire the people for my firm and frankly I value construction experience quite a lot. I do, however, agree that most idiot firms may not feel the same way. I agree with thatsthat that there could be some real opportunities for a skilled mason in the historic preservation area. I know a couple of specialist outfits that travel to work all over the USA, due to the lack of skilled people in most markets.
there isn't enough about you in your post to say what to do. if you want to do architecture, then persist in studying it and finding related jobs. you don't need to have a perfect plan, just keep at it.
"it became apparent that was not gonna happen, unless I take matters into my own hands" - this is true of everything important in life. think this through and learn to believe it; it will make your whole life better.
look up mies van der rohe for inspiration. he was a stonemason who became one of the most important architects of the twentieth century.
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