I am 50 years old and have worked as an architectural designer for over 20 years--spending most of my time as a drafter. I began my passion for design and schooling in Barbados, but never got the opportunity to continue my education after coming to the US. I've worked at least 5 firms (in NJ & NY) since arriving here but when the market gets funny, I get laid off. Thankfully, I have had the opportunity to doing some really great residential designing at a few of those firms, but my name was never on the final drafts.
Unfortunately, I've been out of work for almost a year and can't seem to get a bite on ZipRecruiter, Indeed, LinkedIn, UpWork, Craigslist or any other employment site. I've applied for everything from part-time, contract and full-time work--with no luck.So I'm hoping to seize this time and reconsider my options.
Right now, I am considering going back to school so I can work for myself, but in the meantime I need income. I would like to freelance, take on contract work or get a part-time remote gig, until I can be clear about my next move. Please, if you have any suggestions about 1) Where I can look for this type of work? or 2) What I might want think about regarding going back to school, getting my licensure and/or finding a way to work for myself?
As I approach the start of a new year, I am hopeful that someone out there might be able to offer some sound guidance.
I'm sorry you're having a difficult time finding work.
I would recommend that you focus more of your efforts on individual firms you find appealing. If you're going to use online job sites focus on the ones that only cater to architects. AIA, Archinect, ect.
Finally, you may wan to consider moving locations. The NYC area can have a lot of opportunities however it has a high turnover rate. In addition, it also has an overabundance of 'talent' looking for work. This makes the job market very competitive.
If you're interested in doing only single family residential work you do not need a license to practice in most states. I'm not sure about the NYC area so look this up. With your vast experience in production you could also become a contract team member and hire out to firms on a project basis.
In New York, you may need a contractor's license of some kind to do this on behalf of clients. New York is a state where it is difficult for any person without even an contractor's license to design anything unless it is their own property/house they are designing. OddArchitect, you are right that you don't necessarily need an architect license to design houses but you might need a contractor's license (based on what I recall reading of the statutes). You are right in most states, a license other than maybe a business license/registration is needed for designing houses. However, there are locations not very from NYC where a person can find work as an employee.
Important point of OddArchitect is not to limit your job searching only to NYC otherwise you can impede your career goals if you need AXP and want to get licensed.
Dec 3, 24 12:09 pm ·
·
gwharton
OA is right. Find a state where single-family home projects do not require a license and move there. You will have lots more stable opportunities than in NYC.
He might not even have to physically move his residency location. Offering services outside of a state of residence does not equal offering said services in the state of residence. There are nearby states where he could conceivably provide such services without necessarily moving his place of residence. However, I would agree that it would be more practical if he moved closer to place where he will practice because long commutes can be a challenge so it practical terms, I agree with gwharton.
Dec 3, 24 1:10 pm ·
·
smaarch
Let's clear up a few things
Dec 3, 24 8:26 pm ·
·
smaarch
Not sure what happened to the rest of my post...ughhh
If we take a harsh honest look, the future is not all that promising for architecture. You have the threat of AI, which could eventually replace a lot of entry level work. I don't mean MidJourney "design" gimmick. I mean, why would they need a human architect to permit a Walmart, a neighborhood of template housing...? And a lot of AI-efficiency tools will make client reduce fees since 1 architect should now be able to do the work of 2, 5 architects?... It's only going to get more competitive to enter the field.
If you feel compelled to go back to school for a fresh start, I recommend something that utilize your drawing, 3D visualization, design skills. I always fantasized about industrial design. And if you have the stomach for it, perhaps something with computer language that's human-centric like UX...
Also, in some states, you don't need a school degree to become licensed architect. I know of Colorado and Washington. Have you looked to see if your experience qualifies to sit for exams?
Interesting advice. There are actually many states where you can design residential in the USA without any license. I belong to some residential building groups online and I can tell you most are not looking for Architects outside of the NorthEast coast
What I notice about your post is you don't say how long you have been here. In NY and NJ if your focus is Residential Design you definitely want to be looking at smaller firms (probably obvious) but I also think in smaller firms your responsibilities will be more about knowing the IBC, Energy codes and being able to put together a first rate set of construction documents. In a small firm design will likely be at the hand of the Principal. On another point: I'm in NY and more than a few years older than you - and licensed. At 50yo I don't see a license paying any real dividends not unless you are in a network of folks with $$$. It's a long road and when you get through it there are no guarantees of anything. There are a lot of small firms looking for help putting CD's together from someone on a freelance basis. Put together a portfolio of nothing but the most excellent examples of CD's, demonstrate a sound knowledge of the Residential code - there is very little difference between NY, NJ or CT. so extend your search to these three states. If you need visa support - that is going to change the equation - so you should be clear about this. Unfortunately I am in a seemly endless holding pattern for a couple of projects - just lost a 40,000 sq ft project due to, I'll be kind, incompetent political BS. Good luck to you and you and welcome to contact me to see if anything can happen.
Who's to blame for that? People who vote extreme rights and extreme lefts for some of it. Extremists whether left or right are not rational minded people that can be reasoned with. Far left and far right extremists will never come together to get anything done because there is too much ideological distance apart to bridge. Who's responsible for voting? They are the product of voter choices. We need to stop electing far lefts and far rights into public office because they are too radical and too unwilling to meet in the middle. Meeting in the middle is how things get done responsibly in public service roles in the government. Extremists argues too much and refuses to meet with the other side to find common ground because there isn't any common ground or much of any for them to meet. They are too polar opposites from each other to work together. They are too much at each other's throats that they border line going to the point of killing each other by strangling each other to death. Come on people, stop with childish idealism and make due with smaller steps. Every major change takes a century to develop to the point of acceptance. National societal development progresses at glacial speed shaped with 50+ year intervals of steps. I think we may be a century too early to reach racial and gender equality and have another 50 to a 100 years before the nation evolves enough.
However, there is some of this issue that rests with you and your client. Not all of it may be the government's fault.
People don't give up. It's war. Never give up. Never surrender. (The phrase is intentional reference to a movie ). Anyway, the government elected officials is the result of the voters. If the voters are dumb and incompetent, then the government is going to be dumb and incompetent. People vote people that reflect them. If the people are dumb and a candidate is smart, the dumb people don't comprehend or understand the smart and intelligent candidate and vote for the dumb stupid candidate that they understand and comprehend. Intelligent and smart people, typically, don't speak in dumbassinese. We have not had the highest quality of smart and intelligent candidates winning the elections. Usually some level of mediocrity to shear unadulterated stupid like we just got going into office in January of 2025.
Work is subjective, I was stating that the development route can be an option, he has a lot of experience and can be a good asset to a development team leading an in-house architecture team or something of that nature.
Seeking some career guidance
I am 50 years old and have worked as an architectural designer for over 20 years--spending most of my time as a drafter. I began my passion for design and schooling in Barbados, but never got the opportunity to continue my education after coming to the US. I've worked at least 5 firms (in NJ & NY) since arriving here but when the market gets funny, I get laid off. Thankfully, I have had the opportunity to doing some really great residential designing at a few of those firms, but my name was never on the final drafts.
Unfortunately, I've been out of work for almost a year and can't seem to get a bite on ZipRecruiter, Indeed, LinkedIn, UpWork, Craigslist or any other employment site. I've applied for everything from part-time, contract and full-time work--with no luck.So I'm hoping to seize this time and reconsider my options.
Right now, I am considering going back to school so I can work for myself, but in the meantime I need income. I would like to freelance, take on contract work or get a part-time remote gig, until I can be clear about my next move. Please, if you have any suggestions about 1) Where I can look for this type of work? or 2) What I might want think about regarding going back to school, getting my licensure and/or finding a way to work for myself?
As I approach the start of a new year, I am hopeful that someone out there might be able to offer some sound guidance.
Mikemaxwell -
I'm sorry you're having a difficult time finding work.
I would recommend that you focus more of your efforts on individual firms you find appealing. If you're going to use online job sites focus on the ones that only cater to architects. AIA, Archinect, ect.
Finally, you may wan to consider moving locations. The NYC area can have a lot of opportunities however it has a high turnover rate. In addition, it also has an overabundance of 'talent' looking for work. This makes the job market very competitive.
If you're interested in doing only single family residential work you do not need a license to practice in most states. I'm not sure about the NYC area so look this up. With your vast experience in production you could also become a contract team member and hire out to firms on a project basis.
Good luck!
Please explain how my advice is 'bad'.
In New York, you may need a contractor's license of some kind to do this on behalf of clients. New York is a state where it is difficult for any person without even an contractor's license to design anything unless it is their own property/house they are designing. OddArchitect, you are right that you don't necessarily need an architect license to design houses but you might need a contractor's license (based on what I recall reading of the statutes). You are right in most states, a license other than maybe a business license/registration is needed for designing houses. However, there are locations not very from NYC where a person can find work as an employee.
Important point of OddArchitect is not to limit your job searching only to NYC otherwise you can impede your career goals if you need AXP and want to get licensed.
OA is right. Find a state where single-family home projects do not require a license and move there. You will have lots more stable opportunities than in NYC.
He might not even have to physically move his residency location. Offering services outside of a state of residence does not equal offering said services in the state of residence. There are nearby states where he could conceivably provide such services without necessarily moving his place of residence. However, I would agree that it would be more practical if he moved closer to place where he will practice because long commutes can be a challenge so it practical terms, I agree with gwharton.
Let's clear up a few things
Not sure what happened to the rest of my post...ughhh
May I offer some thoughts on returning to school:
If we take a harsh honest look, the future is not all that promising for architecture. You have the threat of AI, which could eventually replace a lot of entry level work. I don't mean MidJourney "design" gimmick. I mean, why would they need a human architect to permit a Walmart, a neighborhood of template housing...? And a lot of AI-efficiency tools will make client reduce fees since 1 architect should now be able to do the work of 2, 5 architects?... It's only going to get more competitive to enter the field.
If you feel compelled to go back to school for a fresh start, I recommend something that utilize your drawing, 3D visualization, design skills. I always fantasized about industrial design. And if you have the stomach for it, perhaps something with computer language that's human-centric like UX...
Also, in some states, you don't need a school degree to become licensed architect. I know of Colorado and Washington. Have you looked to see if your experience qualifies to sit for exams?
Anyways, best of luck.
Interesting advice. There are actually many states where you can design residential in the USA without any license. I belong to some residential building groups online and I can tell you most are not looking for Architects outside of the NorthEast coast
What I notice about your post is you don't say how long you have been here. In NY and NJ if your focus is Residential Design you definitely want to be looking at smaller firms (probably obvious) but I also think in smaller firms your responsibilities will be more about knowing the IBC, Energy codes and being able to put together a first rate set of construction documents. In a small firm design will likely be at the hand of the Principal.
On another point: I'm in NY and more than a few years older than you - and licensed. At 50yo I don't see a license paying any real dividends not unless you are in a network of folks with $$$. It's a long road and when you get through it there are no guarantees of anything. There are a lot of small firms looking for help putting CD's together from someone on a freelance basis.
Put together a portfolio of nothing but the most excellent examples of CD's, demonstrate a sound knowledge of the Residential code - there is very little difference between NY, NJ or CT. so extend your search to these three states.
If you need visa support - that is going to change the equation - so you should be clear about this.
Unfortunately I am in a seemly endless holding pattern for a couple of projects - just lost a 40,000 sq ft project due to, I'll be kind, incompetent political BS. Good luck to you and you and welcome to contact me to see if anything can happen.
Who's to blame for that? People who vote extreme rights and extreme lefts for some of it. Extremists whether left or right are not rational minded people that can be reasoned with. Far left and far right extremists will never come together to get anything done because there is too much ideological distance apart to bridge. Who's responsible for voting? They are the product of voter choices. We need to stop electing far lefts and far rights into public office because they are too radical and too unwilling to meet in the middle. Meeting in the middle is how things get done responsibly in public service roles in the government. Extremists argues too much and refuses to meet with the other side to find common ground because there isn't any common ground or much of any for them to meet. They are too polar opposites from each other to work together. They are too much at each other's throats that they border line going to the point of killing each other by strangling each other to death. Come on people, stop with childish idealism and make due with smaller steps. Every major change takes a century to develop to the point of acceptance. National societal development progresses at glacial speed shaped with 50+ year intervals of steps. I think we may be a century too early to reach racial and gender equality and have another 50 to a 100 years before the nation evolves enough.
However, there is some of this issue that rests with you and your client. Not all of it may be the government's fault.
Oh God you don't ever give up.
People don't give up. It's war. Never give up. Never surrender. (The phrase is intentional reference to a movie ). Anyway, the government elected officials is the result of the voters. If the voters are dumb and incompetent, then the government is going to be dumb and incompetent. People vote people that reflect them. If the people are dumb and a candidate is smart, the dumb people don't comprehend or understand the smart and intelligent candidate and vote for the dumb stupid candidate that they understand and comprehend. Intelligent and smart people, typically, don't speak in dumbassinese. We have not had the highest quality of smart and intelligent candidates winning the elections. Usually some level of mediocrity to shear unadulterated stupid like we just got going into office in January of 2025.
God also never gives up. Why would an eternal existence ever give up?
PS: When you point at someone else as your problem, remember there is usually 3 pointing right back at you.
GO TO SCHOOL, GET AN MRED DEGREE PIVOT TO WORKING IN THE DEVELOPMENT SECTOR.
Show us your work and we'll see if it's worth it.
Work is subjective, I was stating that the development route can be an option, he has a lot of experience and can be a good asset to a development team leading an in-house architecture team or something of that nature.
Work is not subjective. The development route can be an option. Show us some of your development work so we can see if it's worth it.
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