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
MArch as means for career change from engineering - Australia
First time post - I stumbled upon the Archinect site a few months back and have been enjoying reading through the forum.
For the past 6 months or more, Ive been considering returning to University to pursue an MArch - with the overall goal of a career shift from Engineering to Architecture. So I thought Id bounce some of my thoughts and questions off the board.
A little background on me:
Mechanical Engineer with 10 years experience in construction, public works, and building services (MEP) design in the US and Australia (Im a temp resident of Aus but will be permanent in a few months). Im a registered PE in the US and building practitioner in Australia. The past 4 or 5 years of my experience has been HVAC, Hydraulic (Plumbing), Fire Protection, and ESD design work for a variety of residential and commercial projects.
Why Im considering a career change
I started working in buildings completely by chance - but over the years have really come to enjoy working with the built environment. On the engineering side, I love the practicality of what I do and what I design - that I can see it and touch it - that my knowledge of science and engineering is directly applied to the physical world. But also over the years, my interest in the aesthetic and the functional has grown quite significantly. Ive really come to enjoy architecture and see it as one of the ultimate integrations of art and science and the human experience. I appreciate the aesthetic (not always easy to do as a consulting engineer with a pressing deadline) and the idea of transitioning to that side of the table seems so much more interesting to me in the long term.
Some thoughts (doubts?) Ive been having
Inspiration
Maybe its the engineer in me... or maybe its because Ive actually worked for architects for a number of years.. but I also have to temper my thoughts above with the reality of day to day. Ive seen a lot of what architects have to actually do... the unglamorous, the tedious, the difficult (I often like having an architect between me and a client) - so part of me is also concerned that maybe my thoughts above may revolve around a romantic notion of what practicing architecture will actually be. I havent had a full oppurtunity to look behind the curtain in an Arch firm, so Ive been thinking of using contacts to arrange an internship of sorts... sort of a try before you buy undertaking. Does this sound like something worthwhile? Any other insights or things to consider that you would offer?
Economics
Im at a career point where I can earn a respectable salary. Walking away from a senior engineer position to a graduate architect position represents significant costs, both in money and in time (for school, in terms of bankable experience). After 3 years in an MArch program, Id emerge a 37 year old graduate architect... what do the employment oppurtunities actually look like for someone like that? Do you think my engineering design or construction experience is a strong asset... or maybe even a liability?
Ability
In my opinion, Architects need a related but different skill set than Engineers. Both require technical skills... but the Architect need to also come to the table with a strong aesthetic sense and well rounded soft skills. Ive just been wondering if Im up to making to transition - having spent so long on the other side of the table. Im not saying I failed charm school, but Im again wondering if theres such a thing as not being able to teach an old dog new tricks. Have you had any experience with someone making the transition from consulting engineering to architecture?
University
Since I live in Melbourne, Ive been looking at both RMIT and UoM. Ive read lots of discussions about the differences between the two schools and their merits. My understanding, in summary is:
RMIT: International reputation, Design focused, Liberal
UoM: Strong program, Research focused, Conservative
I was really interested in the RMIT program, but they really dont offer a program to pursue architecture from a different background. Essentially, I would have to return to undergrad to go to RMIT (not an option Im really considering).
The UoM 3yr MArch program sounds like a good fit for making the transition. Has anyone completed this program, coming from another background, and is now practicing? Any lessons learned or tips for accomplishing this? How was your experience?
Final Thoughts
I thought Id throw my thoughts on the page and I know this post has gotten a bit long. But Id love any insight you can offer in my consideration of a career change.
"so Ive been thinking of using contacts to arrange an internship of sorts... sort of a try before you buy undertaking. Does this sound like something worthwhile?"
I'm wondering with all your experience if you can't find a bona fide graduate architect role at a firm here. The market is still busy and firms are always looking for people that actually know how buildings go together. Bet you'd pick up the architectural side of documentation quickly.
You may already know this, but there's an alternative way to become licensed here called the NPrA. It requires you to have seven years "building" experience, three of which have been at an architecture firm, one of which must be in Australia. The program itself takes six months to complete and then you still have to sit for the exams. Still, seems you could find yourself licensed in four years (as you already have heaps of bldg experience) this way, rather than going back to school, which will require three years of education and a 2-3 year internship. Here's the link: http://www.aaca.org.au/national-program-of-assessment-npra/
My background is a bit different but I went back to architecture after working for a GC in the states. I can tell you that the first few months of financial adjustment was pretty painful. As opposed to the states, Grad. architects do make a livable wage here, but it's still a tough sacrifice when you see how much you could be making.
I work with several people that teach at Unimel and they're all great folks to practice with. I imagine their studios to be good. One of them was co-teaching a studio with someone from ARUP and the work I saw looked great. If you want to learn how architects think about design, going through the studio process will likely get you there faster than working.
It is an exciting time to be designing in Mel right now and you can always go back to engineering. If you want to switch over this might be a good time to give it a try. Just know that you have a few options as to how you make the switch.
hey thats great you are considering a career change i am myself an engineer and currently pursuing a masters degree in control systems engineering and i am also interested in march program till now i didnt get any help from this forum
I searched far and wide for any three year equivalent program outside of North America when I was applying last year. Options were overwhelmingly grim and I gave up, though I must have at least glanced at UoM's site. Why did it have to be so understated? I'm glad to see that the international tuition is far more than I will end up paying at my current program, otherwise I was about to lose my #$%@. It looks like a pretty good program.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.