Hello everyone, 

A little bit about myself. I graduated from the University of British Columbia with an undergrad degree in civil engineering. Upon graduation, I worked in 2 (1 small, 1 medium-sized) architectural firms in Taiwan for a combined duration of just over 1 year. I've learned a lot from these jobs but feel like I did not use anything that I've learned from engineering. I don't have any experience working in an engineering firm because I've been torn since high school regarding which field to focus on. I enjoy math, physics, design and art. The more I read, the more I feel like engineering is a more financially stable career path, but architecture is a lifestyle that I would prefer to have. 

During my job in Taiwan, I found that many of my coworkers, architecture graduates, have zero idea of how construction works. They provide architectural drawings, obtain structural sizing and drawing assistance from other individual structural office, and that's it. They don't and some refuse to see the whole picture from start to finish. This bothered me since I studied engineering. However, because my school focused a lot of theory, I also found difficulties making sense how it linked with real life structures and construction methods. I am starting in September a 2-year program at BCIT: Architectural and Building Engineering Technology. Even though I feel like some of the courses are a little bit repetitive, meaning some basic structural courses I've already taken, I hope this will help me understand a little bit more on how things are done in real life and learn some practical skills and technical knowledge. 

I wish to apply for a M.Arch for September 2014. I don't have a lot to put in my portfolio (at least not sure what kind of stuff and how much from my previous work I can take to show off as my own). I have never had any studio experience like many arch students. I've enjoyed drawings and such, but due to heavy workloads in my undergrad, I've lost my creative abilities to draw. Now a lot of times, it's just a blank page staring at me. It seems forced. I've looked into Summer programs as intro to arch like the one at Berkeley, which I think may help me with my portfolio works. I also have looked at the concurrent degree - Structural engineering (M.Arch/MS) at Berkeley but do not know if it is work it doing that or should I just apply for a regular M.Arch degree. Somehow I feel like the concurrent degree applicants will be less than that to m.Arch degree. 

I know this has been a lot of writing, but I've sort of been stuck in this situation and really unsure about the future. If I could get some advice on anything, portfolio development, graduate school, other opportunities to take up on, I would be so grateful. Thank you.