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If you didn't become an architect, what would you have become?

apscoradiales

It was either car designer or race car driver. Only schools at the time where in Italy and Detroit. You had to be Italian to be accepted by the big Italian car designer firms or American to be accepted by the Big Three. Canadians need not apply. Even took a three month race car driving course in England way back when...dad wasn't rich to finance me, so architecture was it.

 
Dec 21, 20 7:44 pm
atelier nobody

In my teens, I was sort of informally an apprentice goldsmith (and have continued to dabble as a hobbyist, although I'm still not very good). I was also a terrible student and hated school. If the opportunity had been presented to enter a formal full time apprenticeship while completing high school on independent study, I'd've jumped at it.

I also have a humanities BA and have seriously considered graduate school and an academic career (it turns out I am not nearly as terrible a student and hate school much less when I'm studying something that actually interests me). 

Dec 21, 20 8:01 pm  · 
1  · 
Non Sequitur

I honestly don't have an answer to this.  I jumped into arch school, as I've said here before, on a whim and "why not" type attitude.  The combination of creative problem solving/expression and technical stuff likely steered me away from what would likely have been a forgettable dead-end disposable gov gig in a rendant department, or worse, since I really did not do shit in highschool that generated prospective career options.


Dec 21, 20 8:38 pm  · 
2  · 
Le Courvoisier

Gigolo

Dec 21, 20 8:42 pm  · 
6  · 
apscoradiales

Still not too late...two careers!!! One probably more satisfying than the other.

Dec 21, 20 9:26 pm  · 
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caramelhighrise

Depends if the satisfaction would be on Le Courvoisier's or the client's end.

Dec 23, 20 3:32 pm  · 
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curtkram

social media influencer

Dec 21, 20 9:14 pm  · 
3  · 
pj_heavy

A graphic designer or a cafe/book/ bike shop owner.

Dec 21, 20 9:25 pm  · 
3  · 
sameolddoctor

Surgeon ... but wasn't good enough to get admitted to med school...

Dec 21, 20 10:19 pm  · 
1  · 
natematt

Some kind of engineer, probably not construction related though. 

I had a knack for math, but found the idea boring. 

So I went into architecture, naturally. 

Dec 22, 20 3:15 am  · 
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caramelhighrise

I thought we became architects because we can't do math though.

Dec 23, 20 3:33 pm  · 
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Bench

Managed to make it to the minor pro level as an athlete, concurrent with the architecture career. Realized pretty quickly that I wasn't moving up any further (IE, the paychecks would most certainly not be big enough to eek out a living). Hung up the gear after a couple years to finish the licensing requirements... so close! I'm now a hobbyist.

Dec 22, 20 8:08 am  · 
4  · 
justavisual

Molecular biologist

Dec 22, 20 8:41 am  · 
1  · 
Wood Guy

A friend from engineering school went on to become a neurosurgeon and pain management specialist at a top Boston hospital. We talk regularly and her work seems fascinating and not really any more difficult than what we do, with a lot of crossover skills. She makes a bit more than I do, though.

I would strongly consider chemical engineering as well.

I nearly went professional with beer brewing at one point.

I actually started my career as a furniture maker. If I understood a single thing about business at that point I might have been able to make it work. 

Dec 22, 20 8:51 am  · 
2  · 
Bench

"I nearly went professional with beer brewing at one point."


Possible future BS+B presentation? Maybe the architecture of breweries?


(On a side note I genuinely looked into the idea of writing my thesis on brewery architecture so that I could make trips out to cool local spots and sit there writing while convincing myself that it was still technically school work)

Dec 22, 20 10:27 am  · 
4  · 
Wood Guy

Great idea! We started BS + Beer at a local microbrewery and we have a lot of other microbreweries here in Maine. I'll add it to our (long) list of topic ideas. That would have been a fun thesis topic! What did you choose instead?

Dec 22, 20 11:31 am  · 
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Bench

Realized all the firms I intended to pursue employment with required a better understanding of large-scale/infrastructure projects, so I ended up exploring parametric applications on that subject instead. But a brewery has always been near the top of my wishlist for a future project.

A close friend's father runs a very succesful small firm and got one built a few years back - it won a slew of awards for its design. Excellent beer too!

Dec 22, 20 11:45 am  · 
1  · 
sameolddoctor

Curious how a neurosurgeon and pain management specialist's work has a lot of crossovers with what we do?

Dec 22, 20 5:18 pm  · 
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Wood Guy

I observed her with one patient getting an epidural for pain. Listen to patient, explain process, address concerns, figure out best approach, set expectations, manage team, perform work, follow up. That's just a small part of what she does, and obviously there are differences. But there is a lot of client management, 3-D visualizing, research etc..

Dec 22, 20 5:27 pm  · 
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tduds

I, too, almost became a brewer!

Dec 29, 20 8:11 pm  · 
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x-jla

not one person said landscape architect....



Dec 22, 20 10:10 am  · 
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justavisual

I became a landscape architect AFTER I became an architect. Different question though :)

Dec 22, 20 10:14 am  · 
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Almosthip

Park Ranger

Was a toss up which program to take

Dec 22, 20 10:45 am  · 
2  · 
SneakyPete

This right up in here.

Dec 22, 20 12:05 pm  · 
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Almosthip

and nothing is cooler than a Canadian Park Ranger

Dec 22, 20 12:17 pm  · 
2  · 
apscoradiales

Dodging hungry polar bears and angry moose? I suppose it would have it's moments...nature is certainly nice.

Dec 22, 20 1:56 pm  · 
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SneakyPete

As opposed to hungry GCs and angry developers?

Dec 22, 20 2:38 pm  · 
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apscoradiales

LOL! That can have it's moments too, and it's not deadly...most of the time.

Dec 22, 20 2:42 pm  · 
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Almosthip

Can we all bask in the Park Ranger Stock Image

Dec 22, 20 3:08 pm  · 
4  · 
SneakyPete

That's going in my scale figures collection. Thanks!

Dec 22, 20 3:25 pm  · 
1  · 
Almosthip

This could have been me

Dec 22, 20 3:40 pm  · 
1  · 
SneakyPete

That jacket is large enough for four rangers of that person's size.

Dec 22, 20 4:35 pm  · 
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Almosthip

It because we have to dress in layers ...need room for the hoodie, the sweater, the t shirt, and don't forget the thermal underwears. And she's probably got the boyfriends hoodie too

Dec 22, 20 4:45 pm  · 
2  · 

Sex therapist in Aspen.

Dec 22, 20 11:23 am  · 
9  · 
SneakyPete

That job sounds like the pits.

Dec 22, 20 12:05 pm  · 
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JLC-1

Curious about the Aspen part, I'm here you know.

Dec 22, 20 12:10 pm  · 
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citizen

^ Ten Uses for Ski Poles-- No Snow Required!   by Dr. Donna Sink

Dec 22, 20 2:11 pm  · 
7  · 
Wood Guy

Is Brad in Aspen?

Dec 22, 20 5:23 pm  · 
3  · 
JLC-1

wouldn't know, covid restrictions went up to level red today, nobody allowed anywhere, except private planes

Dec 22, 20 5:31 pm  · 
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It's an old joke, I forget the source but I heard it as a teen, I think. It was talking about stressful jobs, and one guy said "compared to my job your job is like being a sex therapist in Aspen!". It was in the late 709s/early 80s, when ski culture in Aspen was like the epitome of glamor. But it sounded good to me!

Dec 23, 20 4:41 pm  · 
3  · 

(I have never been to Aspen.)

Dec 23, 20 4:42 pm  · 
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JLC-1

I thought it was because https://www.thehollywoodgossip...

Dec 23, 20 5:33 pm  · 
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atelier nobody

Yep, I remember a lot of jokes from that era about "all the snow in Aspen."

Dec 28, 20 4:46 am  · 
1  · 
tduds

Where the beer flows like wine

Dec 29, 20 8:12 pm  · 
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JLC-1

Boat Builder

Dec 22, 20 12:11 pm  · 
2  · 

There was a lot of things I wanted to do as a child but when I became a Type 1 Diabetic those desires where no longer obtainable.

Even in the profession of architecture my diabetes has been a limiting factor as I'm forced to work for firms that provide good health insurance.  

Dec 22, 20 12:40 pm  · 
2  · 
apscoradiales

Hasn't stopped you from becoming an architect. 

Highly admirable.

Medical insurance in US sucks, not that it's a helluva lot better in Canada.

Dec 22, 20 2:01 pm  · 
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It has limited the firms and areas I can work in though.

Dec 22, 20 2:13 pm  · 
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liberty bell

Honestly the US health care situation impacts our job-related freedom SO MUCH.

Dec 22, 20 6:32 pm  · 
2  · 
BabbleBeautiful

Too true. I've been contemplating this a lot lately.

Dec 30, 20 12:02 pm  · 
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x-jla

 I’m interested in lots of things having to do with space and physics, but I’m not good enough at math to actually work in the field.  My only above average trait is creativity and there are only a few creative outlets that make decent careers 



Dec 22, 20 2:06 pm  · 
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proto

orthopedic surgeon in a ski town, but i wasn't good at math

Dec 22, 20 2:16 pm  · 
1  · 
natematt

I was going to ask if math was that critical for the job, but it would be hard to keep track of all that money, so I see your point.

Dec 22, 20 7:02 pm  · 
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randomised

Rich!

Dec 22, 20 6:11 pm  · 
4  · 
citizen

Millionaire playboy.  (Turns out you need money and looks.)

Or historian.  Or comedian.

Or both!  (A Roman, an Israelite, and a Pagan tread into a taverne.  Yon barkeep queries, "Be this some type of jest?")

Dec 22, 20 6:29 pm  · 
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The easy answer would be landscape architect, but because I treat the two as a both/and I'll say painter.

Dec 22, 20 6:39 pm  · 
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JonathanLivingston

Homemaker, House Husband.

Dec 22, 20 7:20 pm  · 
2  · 
atelier nobody

I'd suck at that job - every single shred of inclination I ever had toward neatness and organization has gone into architecture.

Dec 23, 20 3:33 pm  · 
1  · 
JonathanLivingston

I feel like I have been headed in the other direction for the last decade. Giving less of a care about architecture. (They will figure it out in the field) and a total OCD at home. (gotta keep everything clean and safe with covid now too) the homemaking is incredibly rewarding. More than the career.

Dec 23, 20 3:44 pm  · 
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BulgarBlogger

chef

Dec 22, 20 10:17 pm  · 
2  · 
Rusty!

Ikea furniture assembly man. 

Who would pay to get their 6 crapboard slabs slapped into a Billy shelf unit? No need to judge. Sure, some people are too dumb to put their Besta TV stand together. But putting your Sektion moisture absorbing particleboard kitchen together takes time. And time is money. Pax can be confusing. Galant is intimidating. And Kallax needs to be smacked back together post collapse after you've moved it across the room that one time. 

And then there are the lonely people.

You roll in with your multitool. Client is a 50-80 year old woman. You say hi and quickly jump on unpacking her boxes. Twist slap screw. Shit is coming together. Gumbo man in the instructions says there are 8X of the clippything, but you only see 7. Maybe you dropped one on the floor. You are now both on your knees looking for it and it comes to you that she is the only quality built item in the room. You make passionate love. She says you are the best architect she ever met. You make it clear that you are not licensed yet. And that you never even went to an Architecture school. Could not afford it. She offers to pay for your schooling. By the time you graduate, she is already dead. Another recession hits and you can't get a job in Architecture because you didn't get registered 15 years before you got your degree.

You go back to being an Ikea furniture assembly man. 

But now you count all clippythings before commencing the work. You can't handle another heartbreak. 


Dec 22, 20 11:38 pm  · 
11  · 
SneakyPete

Holy shit. My sides.

Dec 22, 20 11:47 pm  · 
1  · 
sameolddoctor

Wow, epic!

Dec 23, 20 12:24 am  · 
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JLC-1

EXCELLENT!

Dec 23, 20 5:32 pm  · 
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citizen

one word: Screenplay.

Dec 28, 20 3:06 pm  · 
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mightyaa

There are companies like that... I know a guy. Also assembles those home gyms, hangs tv's, etc. Basically is the guy with the contracts with big box stores for 'home installation' options.

Jan 5, 21 10:39 am  · 
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Wilma Buttfit

Ice skating instructor/choreographer in Gary, Indiana.

Dec 23, 20 3:46 pm  · 
3  · 
charlyflint

Most likely I would be a musician and sing in some bar in the evenings

Dec 27, 20 8:04 am  · 
2  · 
ArchiFoxy1492

Same as OP. Still in Architecture school but went to another Design school for Automotive Design. They were charging as if they were Princeton. Bunch of international students made things stupidly competitive. And it seems the school relied on them because they recently fired 10% of their staff due to Covid.


Also the program was very specialized to the point that you would be SOL if you didn't get hired as a Transportation Designer. The faculty even admitted that not everyone would get hired and would have to hustle to get a gig. Now I would understand if it was at some state school with thousands of students. But at a small design school charging $45,000 per year??? Yeah no. Them loans have to get paid. 


I'm much more at ease at my school's Architecture program. At 1/4 of the cost. Plus there's online programs where you can learn to design and draw cars.

Dec 27, 20 6:57 pm  · 
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apscoradiales

Have you tried Italian design houses? There is a lot of non-Italians in them now unlike in my time.

Dec 27, 20 9:06 pm  · 
1  · 
ArchiFoxy1492

I'm thinking of hitting two birds with one stone. Graduate from my Architecture program and then focus into maybe Industrial/Automotive Drsign.
Dec 27, 20 9:20 pm  · 
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apscoradiales

Good luck.

Dec 27, 20 9:31 pm  · 
1  · 
ArchiFoxy1492

Thanks. Likewise!

Dec 27, 20 9:40 pm  · 
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BabbleBeautiful

jazz musician or cellist

Dec 28, 20 11:33 am  · 
2  · 
tduds

I'll chime in with my own story perhaps soon, but last night I read this piece which reminded me of this thread:

https://www.newyorker.com/maga...

Dec 29, 20 8:16 pm  · 
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tduds

Also one of my favorite dialogues (from an okay book):

"Sounds good," said Hand
"But that's one lifetime."
"Yeah."
"But while doing that one I'd want to be able to have done other stuff. Whole other lives - the one where I sail - "
"I know, on a boat you made yourself."
"Yeah, for a couple years, through the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Caspian Sea."
"Can you sail? You can't sail. Your brother sails, right?"
"Yeah, Tommy sails. But that's the problem. It could take years to get good enough. And while doing that, I'm not out here with my Senegalese wife. And I'm definitely not running Whitewater tours in Alaska." 

"So choose one." 

"That's the problem, dumbshit."

Dec 29, 20 8:17 pm  · 
2  · 
Jaetten

Still training at the moment, but if I were to choose again I’d maybe go for law - barrister and hope to become a judge one day. 


I like the route I am on though. 

Dec 30, 20 4:19 pm  · 
1  · 

Software developer.

Jan 4, 21 3:50 pm  · 
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mightyaa

While I was groomed to be an architect... I had a point in my life where I was big into computers, programming, etc. For the old folks, I wrote a ton of autocad scripts, gui interfaces for the old DOS, webpages from scratch, etc. before the internets really came into being.  Lol, even helped a PM I knew setup a dial-up server and interface for a pay-4-porn site.  Also built computers and overclocked back in the day when you hacked the bios (or used a lumberjacked bios) and did pin-mods to your cpu. Even used my architecture modeling skills with my metal working to make custom cases. Good enough that I had job offers from other firms, gamers and geeks for stuff I made. 

Also had a stint in professional pc gaming with a team; corporate sponsors, lootz, LANS, cash winnings and a large following before twitch, youtube and streaming was a thing. I was very good (multiple league wins, interviews, etc.), but.... had the family architecture firm; So... I focused back onto architecture, family, and 'traditional career paths' and put that stuff behind me. Plus the wife hated and never respected computer gaming. Had I been born a decade later, it would have been computers and online streamer... and probably single :P

I also do cars... build em, raced them, etc. It's an expensive hobby. But like woodwork guys, doing things with my hands can be rewarding...


Jan 5, 21 11:06 am  · 
2  · 
atelier nobody

I also did some programming back in the Fortran '77/Pascal days (just school and personal fooling around), and actually turned down a job at a "well-known company" in Redmond when I was doing some scripting of educational materials in a long-forgotten program called "Authorware".

Jan 5, 21 3:32 pm  · 
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xx__

What game you was playing, Mightyaa?

Jan 12, 21 5:03 am  · 
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Non Sequitur

Mighty, I'm going to guess that game was... Quake? \

Jan 12, 21 3:44 pm  · 
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s2smooth

botanist or firefighter

Jan 12, 21 7:56 am  · 
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RJ87

I knew I wanted to be an architect around 10th grade. But coming out of high school I also considered becoming a lawyer or a veterinarian.

Ruled being a lawyer out due to the amount of reading / it just seemed boring. I'd probably have ended up in tax or real estate law, which didn't seem all that exciting outside of a Tom Cruise movie.

Ruled being a veterinarian out because while I'm a big fan of dogs of all kinds, the rest of the animals just didn't do it for me. Plus the idea of interacting with sick dogs all the time would be an emotional rollercoaster (until you'd go numb to it like most professions).

Jan 12, 21 10:00 am  · 
 · 
PaulKersey

NYC Fireman - easier test, better pay, benefits, work 1 - 2 days a week (24 hr shift), never get laid off or have lack of work every downturn, retire in your early 40's making 75% of a salary that most architects won't approach. All sounds good, unless of course you were killed on 9-11 like one of my fireman friends. 

Vigilante  - side work only.

Jan 27, 21 2:40 pm  · 
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shellarchitect

dad is a financial advisor, should have followed his footsteps.  It’s a hard path at first, but the pay goes up pretty fast.  A loose acquaintance is pulling in just about 1 mil a year now, made only 30k his first 5 years

Jan 28, 21 11:14 pm  · 
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athensarch

Astronaut, zoologist, or marine biologist. 


Wasn’t until high school that I seriously considered architecture. I was exploring programming at the same time. Saw the long term potential but couldn’t get/stay interested in it.

Jan 29, 21 9:17 am  · 
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