I was wondering if I can get some advice from some of you out in the deisgn field....Pro's and Students.
I am a 30 year old male who made bad Decission young in my life, I dropped out of school, Hanged with the wrong crowd. I was spending all my time parting and make bad decissions. One day when I was 24 while working making minum wage. I decided I had enough, so I went back to school to get a GED. I decided to go to ITT, (One of my cousins went there and he said he was doing good.) I obtained an A.S. in CAD and got my first Job Making 12 dollars and hr. I continue at ITT and Obtained a B.S. in Industrial design. Then I got a job working as an Architectural drafter making 17 dollars an hr. By the time I was done (recently) I decided that I wanted to continue my education. I realize that I was not at the right school during my ID classes, But was halfway thru, and figured I might as well as complete this program. After I finished school I did research and Applied to an Architecture School that is accredited by the National Architecture Acrediting Board, which I got accepted. I had worked on my portfolio for some time prior to appling. While in school I learned how to use RHino3D, CAD,and Photoshop which helped me with my portfolio. The reason I am posting here, Is that I am not happy with the Education I recieved I feel That if i continue my Education towards this Masters. That I will Have No crediability in the field. That I will be a Joke around my peers. Which Bugs me, So I have recently started thinking about pursueing a second Bachelors then Pursue a Masters. I like Design (Industrial, Graphic, and of course Architecture). The Issue with pursueing a second bachelors Is that I heard that because I already have a bachelors that I will not qualify for fiancial aid (grants or Loans). If I pursue this master of Architecture, I will qualify for graduate loans. So in other words if I decide to go after a second bachelors It will probably be all out of pocket. I am also aware that If I decide to go for a second Bachelors then masters, That I will probably be in my late 30s or early 40s, which is another issue...
I really like the field of design, I am not concerned really about making alot of money I am more concerned about doing something I love, and not feel Like I am being looked down at. I know it might sound stupid, but Everytime you go to website forums you here alot of people putting each other down because of the school they went to...So
that is why I am asking for Advice. .....
Do what you want and what makes you feel good and happy.
I would try not to worry too much, if at all what others are thinking. As long as you are working hard and doing your best, it doesn't really matter what school you went to or what your background is.
Go for the Masters: I'm from UK but I assume that will make progress towards full accreditation as an architect. A second Batchelors won't. But it's important to establish exactly what bugs you about the Batchelors you've already done and why you think it lacks credibility. If you'd expand upon this it would be most useful to understand your overall approach / motivations / sense of what you're about.
Btw, there must be hundreds (?) of Masters programmes out there. The world's your oyster! Think Big (and in detail; of the human aspect; feasibility etc. etc. ;-)
Hey Rationalist I got Accepted into a Masters program,
But I dont think I will pursue since my background with ITT might affect my crediability. I really want to do Architecture , even though I will probably never make good money. But this is what I really want to do. I am thinking of applying towards a bachelor program. I am just worried that I will not qualify for any financial assstance at all.
So thats why I had origanlly posted. You might find it strange that I got accepted into a masters, But I also took alot of GE classes at a Junior College. and Since I had a bachelors they Told me that I could qualify towards their graduate program. But none of my ITT Credits were accepted... How funny they would not accept my credits but they accepted my degree..Anyways..
I don't understand why you think that a bachelors will make you more credible than a masters. If you get another bachelors, you'll look like you're some sort of perpetual student that keeps getting low-level degrees. If you get a masters, you could come out looking like you moved past the whole ITT tech phase.
Then I got a job working as an Architectural drafter making 17 dollars an hr.
you should probably stop right there...$17/hour is pretty good
if you must do grad school (for whatever reason) then you might as well pursue something like a business or law degree that will at least pay for itself
then again if money is not your motivation then you're definitely on your way
go for the masters.
don't worry about the ITT background, all that means is that you are WAY ahead of every one of your 'collegiate' peers in terms of knowing how to actually produce real drawings quickly. trust me on this. college classes in learning cad/3d usually are fair to poor at best, and the ITT background will make you more marketable as an employee after your done with school. (i actually think architecture schools should outsource their technical classes to ITT or similar that really focus' on teaching a real working knowledge of software..)
your 'peers' will most likely have less real experience in architecture than you, but will be more knowledgeable theoretically, etc. use the time you won't be wasting learning computer programs to read, read, and then read some more. you'll catch up quickly, you're obviously self-motivated, so working hard consistently shouldn't be a problem.
good luck.
If you got into a Master's program, don't worry about your undergrad program.
Many people here have undergraduate degrees in subjects/skills that aren't even directly related to architecture. That doesn't cancel out their Master's degrees in architecture.
Maybe ITT isn't the most prestigious school, but it's what you did, and it seems to have served you well. So if you've gotten into a M.Arch program that's all you need! Good luck.
The education you have up to this point is valuable in that it led you where you are...it's not a joke. Also, nambypambics has a point...lots of folks have their undergraduates in other areas not even related to Arch. and it doesn't invalidate them. It's about the journey man!
there are so many facets to architecture. each school teaches it differently and offers something unique to the workforce. i wouldn't be so concerned about job prospects becuase the skills taught at ITT will be in demand by certain firms, while the skills taught at the "prestigous" instituions may be in demand at other firms. regardless, your masters will give you more credibility and career mobility and you will find your niche. good luck!
dont worry about your past education, and if someone has an issue tell them to piss off - or ignore them - or out perform them
definately go for the masters, as everyone else here is saying, you must move forward.
and remember, your education is what you make of it. consider yourself advanced in one aspect of architecture, but less advanced in others... so what - there is nothing wrong with that.
if you want to change that, to balance your abilities, then you must
read read read
i cant stress that enough - search through this website for essential text, maybe even challenge yourself to write a responce paper for each book you read (even if you are the only one to see it)
consider taking a free hand drawing class at a local community college before you begin your masters
get a dozen sketchbooks, go outside and begin to draw what you see, then challenge what you see
do these things, do nothing, it doesnt matter to anyone but yourself. remember you are doing this for you and no one else and at the end of the day, you have only yourself to answer to
Yeah. I agree, don't worry about the background. Also, few credits transfer from undergrad anyway. If you have a B.Arch it's one story. But other than that, I know a few people that got to skip a semester or some technical electives, but most of us take it all. I'm talking people with Civil Engineering backgrounds or masters in engineering got to skip structures.
Jan 7, 07 10:31 am ·
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Advice... Education /background and Future
Hi...Everyone...
I was wondering if I can get some advice from some of you out in the deisgn field....Pro's and Students.
I am a 30 year old male who made bad Decission young in my life, I dropped out of school, Hanged with the wrong crowd. I was spending all my time parting and make bad decissions. One day when I was 24 while working making minum wage. I decided I had enough, so I went back to school to get a GED. I decided to go to ITT, (One of my cousins went there and he said he was doing good.) I obtained an A.S. in CAD and got my first Job Making 12 dollars and hr. I continue at ITT and Obtained a B.S. in Industrial design. Then I got a job working as an Architectural drafter making 17 dollars an hr. By the time I was done (recently) I decided that I wanted to continue my education. I realize that I was not at the right school during my ID classes, But was halfway thru, and figured I might as well as complete this program. After I finished school I did research and Applied to an Architecture School that is accredited by the National Architecture Acrediting Board, which I got accepted. I had worked on my portfolio for some time prior to appling. While in school I learned how to use RHino3D, CAD,and Photoshop which helped me with my portfolio. The reason I am posting here, Is that I am not happy with the Education I recieved I feel That if i continue my Education towards this Masters. That I will Have No crediability in the field. That I will be a Joke around my peers. Which Bugs me, So I have recently started thinking about pursueing a second Bachelors then Pursue a Masters. I like Design (Industrial, Graphic, and of course Architecture). The Issue with pursueing a second bachelors Is that I heard that because I already have a bachelors that I will not qualify for fiancial aid (grants or Loans). If I pursue this master of Architecture, I will qualify for graduate loans. So in other words if I decide to go after a second bachelors It will probably be all out of pocket. I am also aware that If I decide to go for a second Bachelors then masters, That I will probably be in my late 30s or early 40s, which is another issue...
I really like the field of design, I am not concerned really about making alot of money I am more concerned about doing something I love, and not feel Like I am being looked down at. I know it might sound stupid, but Everytime you go to website forums you here alot of people putting each other down because of the school they went to...So
that is why I am asking for Advice. .....
Thanks everyone...
Dzz
Is the program you were accepted to a Bachelors or a Masters?
Do what you want and what makes you feel good and happy.
I would try not to worry too much, if at all what others are thinking. As long as you are working hard and doing your best, it doesn't really matter what school you went to or what your background is.
... probably.
Go for the Masters: I'm from UK but I assume that will make progress towards full accreditation as an architect. A second Batchelors won't. But it's important to establish exactly what bugs you about the Batchelors you've already done and why you think it lacks credibility. If you'd expand upon this it would be most useful to understand your overall approach / motivations / sense of what you're about.
Btw, there must be hundreds (?) of Masters programmes out there. The world's your oyster! Think Big (and in detail; of the human aspect; feasibility etc. etc. ;-)
Hey Rationalist I got Accepted into a Masters program,
But I dont think I will pursue since my background with ITT might affect my crediability. I really want to do Architecture , even though I will probably never make good money. But this is what I really want to do. I am thinking of applying towards a bachelor program. I am just worried that I will not qualify for any financial assstance at all.
So thats why I had origanlly posted. You might find it strange that I got accepted into a masters, But I also took alot of GE classes at a Junior College. and Since I had a bachelors they Told me that I could qualify towards their graduate program. But none of my ITT Credits were accepted... How funny they would not accept my credits but they accepted my degree..Anyways..
Yeah Solidred if I go for the masters, It will be progress since Its accredited by the National Architecture Acrediting Board...
I don't understand why you think that a bachelors will make you more credible than a masters. If you get another bachelors, you'll look like you're some sort of perpetual student that keeps getting low-level degrees. If you get a masters, you could come out looking like you moved past the whole ITT tech phase.
Just my 2 cents.
Thanks Rationalist, and SolidRed...
I was just worried, that the Master would lose crediability due to the ITT Degree....Maybe I am overthinking this....Thnx
you should probably stop right there...$17/hour is pretty good
if you must do grad school (for whatever reason) then you might as well pursue something like a business or law degree that will at least pay for itself
then again if money is not your motivation then you're definitely on your way
employers pretty much only care the last school you graduated from, right?
go for the masters.
don't worry about the ITT background, all that means is that you are WAY ahead of every one of your 'collegiate' peers in terms of knowing how to actually produce real drawings quickly. trust me on this. college classes in learning cad/3d usually are fair to poor at best, and the ITT background will make you more marketable as an employee after your done with school. (i actually think architecture schools should outsource their technical classes to ITT or similar that really focus' on teaching a real working knowledge of software..)
your 'peers' will most likely have less real experience in architecture than you, but will be more knowledgeable theoretically, etc. use the time you won't be wasting learning computer programs to read, read, and then read some more. you'll catch up quickly, you're obviously self-motivated, so working hard consistently shouldn't be a problem.
good luck.
If you got into a Master's program, don't worry about your undergrad program.
Many people here have undergraduate degrees in subjects/skills that aren't even directly related to architecture. That doesn't cancel out their Master's degrees in architecture.
Maybe ITT isn't the most prestigious school, but it's what you did, and it seems to have served you well. So if you've gotten into a M.Arch program that's all you need! Good luck.
If anything the fact that you made the jump from ITT to a master's would make you MORE attractive and credible. THat's impressive, good work!
The education you have up to this point is valuable in that it led you where you are...it's not a joke. Also, nambypambics has a point...lots of folks have their undergraduates in other areas not even related to Arch. and it doesn't invalidate them. It's about the journey man!
Thnx Everyone I really appreciate all the advice.....
there are so many facets to architecture. each school teaches it differently and offers something unique to the workforce. i wouldn't be so concerned about job prospects becuase the skills taught at ITT will be in demand by certain firms, while the skills taught at the "prestigous" instituions may be in demand at other firms. regardless, your masters will give you more credibility and career mobility and you will find your niche. good luck!
dont worry about your past education, and if someone has an issue tell them to piss off - or ignore them - or out perform them
definately go for the masters, as everyone else here is saying, you must move forward.
and remember, your education is what you make of it. consider yourself advanced in one aspect of architecture, but less advanced in others... so what - there is nothing wrong with that.
if you want to change that, to balance your abilities, then you must
read read read
i cant stress that enough - search through this website for essential text, maybe even challenge yourself to write a responce paper for each book you read (even if you are the only one to see it)
consider taking a free hand drawing class at a local community college before you begin your masters
get a dozen sketchbooks, go outside and begin to draw what you see, then challenge what you see
do these things, do nothing, it doesnt matter to anyone but yourself. remember you are doing this for you and no one else and at the end of the day, you have only yourself to answer to
Yeah. I agree, don't worry about the background. Also, few credits transfer from undergrad anyway. If you have a B.Arch it's one story. But other than that, I know a few people that got to skip a semester or some technical electives, but most of us take it all. I'm talking people with Civil Engineering backgrounds or masters in engineering got to skip structures.
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