Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
Pratt Institute
University of Southern California (USC)
Tulane University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Temple University
University of Oregon
Cranbrook Academy of Art
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Kansas State University
Contemplating a career in architecture
Hello All,
I am new to this forum and I've come here for advice about my future career plans. To give you a little information about my background: I graduated from OSU with a dual degree in anthropology and microbiology in 2009 and went on to get my MS in genetics at the University of Pennsylvania (I just graduated this spring, 2011) . However, I have decided I want to move in a completely new direction with my educational and professional plans, and I've been contemplating architecture. I am looking into MArch II programs (for students who come from non-arch backgrounds), and I am currently taking studio and art history courses part-time to meet the requirements and assemble a portfolio. (Unfortunately I work full-time, so I don't have as much time to dedicate to studio work as I'd ideally like.) I've read some of the previous posts on this site, and I understand that architecture is a very difficult and rigorous path and that employment opportunities are limited in this economic environment. I have also been exploring City Planning (MCP) programs, and I'm beginning to wonder if that might be a better choice. (Or alternatively, looking for a combined MArch II/MCP program.) I know that the decision is ultimately mine and I need to determine what I desire most from a career, but I'm curious: do you see pursuing the dual degree (March II/MCP) as being advantageous (both from the perspective of developing problem solving skills for use on the job and from the perspective of marketability as an employee)? I know the simple answer to that may be "yes," but can you give me more insight? Additionally, how involved are city planners with the actual design process? Is there a way to specialize in city planning such that you can be more involved in the aspect of functional design and less so in aspects such as policy and regulation? (I have seen some "Urban Design" programs or specializations, but those seem to be for applicants who already have a MArch degree.)
I rushed into my first career choice without thinking about what I really wanted, so I am now back-tracking and trying to do my research more carefully before I pursue another degree. Thus any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
cheers
cait
I'll trade you careers!
2x2 beat me two it
i'll take yer microbio and genetics degrees (you can keep the anthropology elOHel) for my architectural B.S. and masters + license
What aspects of architecture and city design interest you, as compared to what you do in your career now? How do you see a career in physical environments appealing to whatever it is in your personality/psyche that drives you and gives you fulfillment? What do you do in your current career that gives you pleasure, and what do you dislike about your current career?
"Unfortunately I work full-time"
Architecture will be perfect for you.
I think your first choice was a good one
Go make a lot of money in a secure job, "play" architect when designing your own house.
So basically....you want to do all the fun design-y stuff...and not like deal with all those pesky ordinances and code thingies...rotsa ruck.
before another architect bitch-fest kills off another hopeful (is this perhaps by.. design? to keep out competitors and keep more positions for ourselves?) - let me say that Urban Planning and Architecture are more disparate than some might first assume. Of course you need to know a lot about both to be good at either, but they work in separate areas of influence. Urban planners (those that work at municipalities anyway) review architectural proposals using various criteria and parameters set forth by city by-laws, economic conditions, sociological factors.. etc. They do make recommendations and they 'plan' space in cities, however, they rarely 'design' as a architect would consider 'design'. There is very little potential for realized individual creativity at the aesthetic level for urban planners.
Getting a dual-degree is something you'll have to decide on. It opens your options, but also might pigeon-hole you into a situation you don't want to be in if it turns out you are actually more interested in one vs the other. And for those of you eager to 'switch careers' - I doubt y'all would enjoy filling test tubes and sorting through reams of data for minor correlations (all for the promise of minimal research funding grants).
Haha well I suppose the grass always looks greener on the other side, but trust me, a career in science is not what you might picture it to be. Tricks is right - lots of tedious work manipulating test tubes, plus there's the added pressure of trying to publish your findings before you get "scooped" by the competition. Long hours and low pay to boot, at least in academia where I'm currently situated. But beyond that, one reason I want out of science is for ethical reasons - I am uncomfortable with animal research and although I do not conduct any myself, I no longer want to be in this working environment. I also think I went into science because of pressure from my family and not because it was ever really something I was passionate about.
So why architecture? Beyond the trite desire to be involved in a more creative field, I am really interested in how people utilize space and in how the built environment can be enhanced to meet people's ever-changing needs, both functionally and aesthetically. I am also interested in the city as a network, in the city as a design problem. I am interested in addressing questions such as: how can a building plan (or on a greater scale, a city plan) best meet the regulations and budgetary confinements which have been set forth, while simultaneously enhancing the functionality and design appeal of the particular urban space in which it's situated?
Thanks everyone for your input - especially Tricks - for emphasizing that city planners "plan" but do not really get to "design." I will keep that in mind as I move forward with this decision.
As a scientist you could switch to working with building materials. No animals tested. We test on humans only. Oh look, grandma fell and broke her hip. We need more slip resistance. You could be our very own slip resistance test tube guy.
rusty fell and he can't get up.
i would suggest looking at the People section of the Community drop down box on your left. You will notice resumes and portfolios of many many many talented people from all parts of the globe. They have one thing in common, all of them are looking for work.
"They have one thing in common, all of them are looking for work."
250,000 architects fell and they can't get up.
No work = a great time to go to school.
I wander if talent means shit at all in the workplace........what kind of talent anyway? When it comes down to it, nobody cares if a guy has god like drawing skills. In my little time in the professional world (I imagine this goes for every field), people just need a guy/girl who is hard working, competent, can listen, and fits in with the work environment. Fuck, maybe i'm saying this because in part I wish I was more artistic compared to some of the people working in architecture, but I am almost positive (at least in every encounter i've had) that the general notion of talent in architecture isn't talent at all when it comes to finding working, and making a dollar.
Cait,
When you say OSU (is this Ohio or Oregon that you are refering to).
I am a building designer. What does that mean compared to being an "architect". A building designer is a person who designs buildings on a professional capacity (ie. for money not for a hobby) that does not require licensure as an architect.
There are exemptions in most of the state's laws that allow an unlicensed person to design buildings. This could be an option for you. However, just because you are not licensed does not mean you can go out and offer services until you have the knowledge and skills to perform the work. Also, you are subject to tort and negligence and other lawsuit actions that are often a bit prevelant in this market.
What kind of education does a building designer require? None is specified by law BUT customarily an architecture degree would be the place to go. Often people who get an architecture degree may not complete the process to licensure and may enter many fields including project management and other peripheral fields. Building designers are one of the multiple fields because sometimes if all you want to do is design houses and light commercial buildings and farm buildings then maybe pursuing the rest of licensure may not be desireable. Maybe, the fees is not desireabke. Ok... maybe it maybe an option taken to sustain income between jobs.
Right now, getting jobs in an architect office is difficult at best.
You may look at the course options and think about what you really want to do. Some folks with architectural background ends up making plans and conceptual design. Study your options, Cait.
Often when designing architecture or building designs, you face these questions. Especially in architecture school and city planning school. University of Oregon for example has a city planning education. When making a city plan, you generally work as a city employee as a city planner (occasionally it is contracted), where you make broad general plans about the city. As indicated, they don't design buildings. Often because it would be illegal for them as alot of city planners are not licensed as architects and city planning may involve the eventual designing of non-exempt buildings (buildings that require to be licensed as an architect to design). As for residential neighborhoods, this can often become part of tract development and falls into scope of land developers and building designers that also work as land development planning.
There is many options and if you actually want to ultimately design buildings then architecture degree would help. You could also elect to get an architecture degree with electives in "planning" and that can be a specialization. It is known that Architects & building designers can become city planners or "planning consultants" especially if they have education in that area. However, those that want to retain designing buildings prefer serving as a consultant vs. being an employee of the city because often you can't "moonlight" (working a second job or business) for COI (Conflict Of Interest) reasons. Depends on the city. A contracted consultant has some freedom and doesn't have to work with only one city.
Do bear in mind that there will be LOTS of commitment. You may need to demonstrate the ability to draw and think creatively. If you have artistic skills, that will help in getting admissions. Be patient and look at the options and maybe wait until Fall of 2012. This can give you time and opportunity to evaluate portfolio's for entrance into such programs and practice drawing and other creative works. Model building skills can be a plus to develop. You would have to do that on you non-working time.
You don't have to have the skills now but you can develop it. Almost anyone can learn the skills to be a good artist. Unless you are essentially is virtually paralyzed from the nose down, you would have the physical means to draw, paint, create models of buildings and so on.
Just some thoughts and ramblings to mull over.
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