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.
There is freelance job openings here on Archinect, there is also Fiverr and im sure other channels where you can offer your skills for a fee. If you have experience with residential projcts, I can possibly give you some freelance work, contact me in private and we can discuss.
Said an internet weirdo stalker, I am an architect more then you will ever dream.
Dec 3, 24 11:10 am ·
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OddArchitect
You are not an architect. If you are what is your license number?
Dec 3, 24 11:47 am ·
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smaarch
Funny I like both you guys and what you post. It' seems we're all after the same thing so I can't figure out the nonsense until I get to DEM and GOP nonsense. And sadly what you both don't realize is they are the same. Give it up and let's talk about about Architecture please. Pretty Please
Dec 3, 24 7:57 pm ·
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bennyc
Do you know OddArchitect logs the time he spends on this forum on his timesheet, and deducts that from what he bills his firm or his clients? - what a mush, put him in the bathroom.
Dec 3, 24 8:16 pm ·
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smaarch
Sounds like he's also in NYC ;)
Dec 3, 24 8:18 pm ·
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bennyc
The odds of OddArchitect being in NYC are the same as Montel Williams dating Kamala Harris, wait thats a bad example.
Dec 3, 24 8:22 pm ·
·
OddArchitect
smaarch -
I'm not in NYC.
I do however had plenty of friends and collogues who are / were architects in NYC. They all say what I posted.
Benny isn't an architect but he is in NYC. He's also under investigation for lying about being an architect. Not my doing Take it for what it's worth.
Dec 4, 24 12:49 pm ·
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bennyc
Delusion fosters more delusion, log that time.
Dec 4, 24 1:46 pm ·
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OddArchitect
It's easy to prove me wrong. What's your license number then Benny? What state(s) are you licensed in? This isn't even private information - it's publicly available to everyone by law. Go on, prove me wrong. Show us that you're an architect.
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.
The architectural profession would be a lot better withour your advice, and you clearly have no clue about the NYC market, stop giving folks bad advice. If you cant offer help at least dont make it worse for them.
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.
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.
There is freelance job openings here on Archinect, there is also Fiverr and im sure other channels where you can offer your skills for a fee. If you have experience with residential projcts, I can possibly give you some freelance work, contact me in private and we can discuss.
Do not contact Benny. He is not an architect and his 'freelance' work is a borderline scam.
Said an internet weirdo stalker, I am an architect more then you will ever dream.
You are not an architect. If you are what is your license number?
Funny I like both you guys and what you post. It' seems we're all after the same thing so I can't figure out the nonsense until I get to DEM and GOP nonsense. And sadly what you both don't realize is they are the same. Give it up and let's talk about about Architecture please. Pretty Please
Do you know OddArchitect logs the time he spends on this forum on his timesheet, and deducts that from what he bills his firm or his clients? - what a mush, put him in the bathroom.
Sounds like he's also in NYC ;)
The odds of OddArchitect being in NYC are the same as Montel Williams dating Kamala Harris, wait thats a bad example.
smaarch -
I'm not in NYC.
I do however had plenty of friends and collogues who are / were architects in NYC. They all say what I posted.
Benny isn't an architect but he is in NYC. He's also under investigation for lying about being an architect. Not my doing Take it for what it's worth.
Delusion fosters more delusion, log that time.
It's easy to prove me wrong. What's your license number then Benny? What state(s) are you licensed in? This isn't even private information - it's publicly available to everyone by law. Go on, prove me wrong. Show us that you're an architect.
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!
The architectural profession would be a lot better withour your advice, and you clearly have no clue about the NYC market, stop giving folks bad advice. If you cant offer help at least dont make it worse for them.
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.
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