The troubled economy has left many architects (such as myself) jobless with very few new employment opportunities. I’m only 3 years out of school, so it’s tough to find work because I’m now competing with highly qualified folks who have been laid off. I'm trying to be creative with my job search, but what options do we have in this economy where the entire building industry is slowing down? Any advice???
I had a realisation today: Why do those graduating from Architecture courses, more than any other discipline, believe that they have a right to work in the field that they studied?
In almost any other discipline there is an understanding that the degree is sought as signal of ability to apply oneself and succeed, in any field.
"I had a realisation today: Why do those graduating from Architecture courses, more than any other discipline, believe that they have a right to work in the field that they studied?
In almost any other discipline there is an understanding that the degree is sought as signal of ability to apply oneself and succeed, in any field."
that has to be one of the dumbest statements i've seen here.
it's not my RIGHT to work as an architect, but it's what I went to school for and it's what I WANT to do.
are you telling me someone with an accounting degree can waltz into an architecture office and get a job just because they have a college degree?
well it IS a professional degree right? that means you nominally devoted 6 years to the study of a single topic that is protected by law, etc.
english lit is not the same. no laws about who can practice english lit as far as i know.
changing slant slightly....so my best friend in high school has a phd in bio-chemistry. now he manages a biotech company. he started doing research in the lab about 15 years ago and then shifted towards management. he was not qualified to be a physicist, nor even a bio-physicist because of specialisation. maybe he could have been a waiter or decided to write science articles for magazines, but really those would not have played to his strengths. and it took 15 years before he was qualified for his current position...
so an architect with training as an architect should not be dis-satisified with prospects of working in field in which s/he knows sweet shit all? come on now. this isn't about entitlement. it's just common sense.
if there are no jobs so be it, but that has nothing to do with the question does it?
about which i have no answers. i wish i did. graphic design and so on is often brought up, but if you are like most architects there is a good chance you actually suck at that and won't be hired when competing against people who are properly trained in the field...other areas you might be competitive in are probably also suffering, such as construction companies, etc. so it is serious problem. main thing is just to keep on looking and to be willing to move,maybe even to another country.
It's a similar route for most other professions. e.g. to qualify in the UK as a Psychologist, one must take a qualifying undergraduate degree in Psychology (3 years in England, 4 years in Scotland, add another year if taking the year in industry), and then a similarly accredited graduate degree (1 or 2 or 3 years), and then carry out supervised practice (2 or 3 years), then you can sign your own work.
*At no point is progression guaranteed.*
Many people pay for and qualify from their graduate degree (in whatever field) having been suckered by the ease with which they were accepted onto a course. Being allowed to pay for education does not guarantee worthiness for work. Getting a degree from a second-rate institution gives second-rate employment opportunities.
Universities are in the business of collecting your cash, just as employers generally have to part with cash to capitalise on your education.
Conversation tonight with an eminence grise of the Architecture world: he suggested that Architecture should only be available as a graduate degree. i.e. The worldview of the archetypal architecture graduate (6 years straight-through) is too blinkered, which feeds into the sorry state that the industry finds itself in today.
anyone think about the peace corp? i have. It seems like a chance to help people, get your hands dirty, and keep busy during rough times. maybe with the education i have received i could actually make a difference somewhere in the world. am i too naïve? anyone have any experiences with it? just a thought though, I’m not signing up just yet.
It is easy to be cynical, but actually coming up with interesting ways to stay productive in these tough times will be the real determination of who will succeed in the design industry in the future. am i too naïve?
I wouldn't say naive...maybe a little preachy and passive aggressive...
but what you say is true...I know some people that did the peace corp thing before grad school. Over all, I think they feel it was a very positive experience.
"Architect
Annual mean income: $62,246
Projected employment in 2016: 155,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 18 percent"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I'd guess that is not very realistic, but you wonder... There was that thing with the apparent global shortage of architects which rmjm and harvard were trying to tackle.
Why do those graduating from Architecture courses, more than any other discipline, believe that they have a right to work in the field that they studied?
I don't think architecture grads are much different from other grads in regards to professionally practicing what they went to college for. Of the people I graduated with roughly half, if not more, do not work in traditional architecture offices. One guy went to the developers end, another is in sales, several in construction, know one person is a manager at Home Depot, etc. etc. I've even talked to current students at my alma matter that have full intentions of going directly into the gaming industry and never ever become "Architects."
Obviously anyone spending time on Archinect is passionate about architecture and would probably prefer to work in that field. We're the ones that want to be Architects, but don't forget those thousands of people with archtiecture degrees that aren't visiting Archinect.
Thanks for the advice. Obviously I would prefer to work in my field of study, i.e. architecture. But I don't have control over job availability and I have to make a living somehow. Sadly an architecture degree is not really marketable in any way other than working in an architectural office. And with so many other design/construction related industries suffering, there are few options at the moment. Panic ensues.
I'm sure I suck at graphic design compared to those with professional graphic backgrounds. I mean, as far as I'm concerned, there's very little difference between Arial font and Helvetica. But apparently graphic designers see night and day. I'm like... really?!
I'm good at Photoshop. Maybe I can be the person who makes those "spot the difference" spreads in magazines. That job rocks!
That CNN report entitled "Want more money?" is wack! Everybody knows that you don't pursue architecture just for the money. And an 18% increase between 2006 and 2016... not with all the recent layoffs!!!
I think most people want to become architects and thats why they went to school, seems like the same as law school - lawyer. Its not like Political science = political scientists. Certain Professions are more 1:1 in there application to schooling.
(Begin Jack's Spam)
On another note, my friend's site for finding contractors and bids has now yielded 2 potential job leads for interior arch and design and thats not what the site was even for. I scanned the few ( its new this week) entries for my area and 2 of the posters dont have plans! I told him he needs a contact architects now button! Anyways I posted the link over in the does the web get you work thread but I'll post it again because in my case its gotten me 2 leads, albeit small ones, in a week.
I'm an unemployed architect. My father had a career that variously touched upon electrical engineering, teaching maths in a High School, lecturing about electronics in a college and founding then running a microprocessor lab at a University. Thing is, University degrees in the past were rarer and more likely to be taken 'on trust' as signs of General Competence. Nowadays, far more people go through tertiary education and far more people come out of it with specifically applied qualifications. Ergo, I think there's far less room these days for casual sideways shifts than there used to be, simply because the current ethos is to employ a 'specialist' to do a specific job, right [down?] to the Barrista who's trained to make your Gingerbread Latte.
As for myself, I'm brushing up on my musical skills and learning about video editing. The dream is to earn in a month with some cheesy Christmas [2009] hit more than I've earned in my entire career but, obviously, now I've been paying rather more attention to the career trajectories of some friends who are some extremely talented singer-songwriters and so on, I realise this dream is akin to another 'get rich quick' scheme of winning the lottery?
So, alternative careers are scary if, like me, one starts to view hobbies or passions as potential income streams such as to keep the wolf at the door, so to speak.
My other vague inclination is to go for the kind of job I'd perceive as 'low level but pleasant' such as working in a bookshop. But full-time jobs at very low pay well, it's just an even worse form of wage slavery than architecture employee and, most likely, just as draining of energy.
Maybe Night Porter... I could take my laptop and a 25note midi keyboard with me. Hmmm
I'm going to create an underground bar and sell my homebrew as I tend bar ... I have been specializing in belgians, which you can get top dollar for these days.
if i get laid off, i'm going to apply at trader joe's. last night i was there while they were setting out the results of the employee gingerbread house competition. one entry in particular had a pretty impressive cantilever. that sounds way cooler than figuring where my piles and footings are going to go.
Dec 5, 08 12:07 pm ·
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Employment Opportunities for Architects in a Economic Crisis???
The troubled economy has left many architects (such as myself) jobless with very few new employment opportunities. I’m only 3 years out of school, so it’s tough to find work because I’m now competing with highly qualified folks who have been laid off. I'm trying to be creative with my job search, but what options do we have in this economy where the entire building industry is slowing down? Any advice???
I've seen a tremendous amount of ads for web designers, game designers, and graphic designers in Seattle.....How are you with 3d max and photoshop?
I had a realisation today: Why do those graduating from Architecture courses, more than any other discipline, believe that they have a right to work in the field that they studied?
In almost any other discipline there is an understanding that the degree is sought as signal of ability to apply oneself and succeed, in any field.
i'm going to start a fresh pasta business.
it may not keep the wolves from my door, but at least i'll be full...until the semolina runs dry!
i created my own BBQ rub and found a store to carry it
that's great M'n'U...just stay the %#$@ out of the pasta business.
"I had a realisation today: Why do those graduating from Architecture courses, more than any other discipline, believe that they have a right to work in the field that they studied?
In almost any other discipline there is an understanding that the degree is sought as signal of ability to apply oneself and succeed, in any field."
that has to be one of the dumbest statements i've seen here.
it's not my RIGHT to work as an architect, but it's what I went to school for and it's what I WANT to do.
are you telling me someone with an accounting degree can waltz into an architecture office and get a job just because they have a college degree?
TD, you're not listening.
T D, confirms my statement.
well it IS a professional degree right? that means you nominally devoted 6 years to the study of a single topic that is protected by law, etc.
english lit is not the same. no laws about who can practice english lit as far as i know.
changing slant slightly....so my best friend in high school has a phd in bio-chemistry. now he manages a biotech company. he started doing research in the lab about 15 years ago and then shifted towards management. he was not qualified to be a physicist, nor even a bio-physicist because of specialisation. maybe he could have been a waiter or decided to write science articles for magazines, but really those would not have played to his strengths. and it took 15 years before he was qualified for his current position...
so an architect with training as an architect should not be dis-satisified with prospects of working in field in which s/he knows sweet shit all? come on now. this isn't about entitlement. it's just common sense.
if there are no jobs so be it, but that has nothing to do with the question does it?
about which i have no answers. i wish i did. graphic design and so on is often brought up, but if you are like most architects there is a good chance you actually suck at that and won't be hired when competing against people who are properly trained in the field...other areas you might be competitive in are probably also suffering, such as construction companies, etc. so it is serious problem. main thing is just to keep on looking and to be willing to move,maybe even to another country.
6 years, including post-grad?
It's a similar route for most other professions. e.g. to qualify in the UK as a Psychologist, one must take a qualifying undergraduate degree in Psychology (3 years in England, 4 years in Scotland, add another year if taking the year in industry), and then a similarly accredited graduate degree (1 or 2 or 3 years), and then carry out supervised practice (2 or 3 years), then you can sign your own work.
*At no point is progression guaranteed.*
Many people pay for and qualify from their graduate degree (in whatever field) having been suckered by the ease with which they were accepted onto a course. Being allowed to pay for education does not guarantee worthiness for work. Getting a degree from a second-rate institution gives second-rate employment opportunities.
Universities are in the business of collecting your cash, just as employers generally have to part with cash to capitalise on your education.
Conversation tonight with an eminence grise of the Architecture world: he suggested that Architecture should only be available as a graduate degree. i.e. The worldview of the archetypal architecture graduate (6 years straight-through) is too blinkered, which feeds into the sorry state that the industry finds itself in today.
From today's CNN.com:
"Want more money? 15 jobs that pay $60,000...
2. Architect
Annual mean income: $62,246
Projected employment in 2016: 155,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 18 percent"
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/12/03/cb.jobs.pay.60k/index.html
heh...they obviously didnt get the memo
to get back to the question asked:
anyone think about the peace corp? i have. It seems like a chance to help people, get your hands dirty, and keep busy during rough times. maybe with the education i have received i could actually make a difference somewhere in the world. am i too naïve? anyone have any experiences with it? just a thought though, I’m not signing up just yet.
It is easy to be cynical, but actually coming up with interesting ways to stay productive in these tough times will be the real determination of who will succeed in the design industry in the future. am i too naïve?
I wouldn't say naive...maybe a little preachy and passive aggressive...
but what you say is true...I know some people that did the peace corp thing before grad school. Over all, I think they feel it was a very positive experience.
"Architect
Annual mean income: $62,246
Projected employment in 2016: 155,000
Increase between 2006 and 2016: 18 percent"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
CNN being too optimistic perhaps?
I'd guess that is not very realistic, but you wonder... There was that thing with the apparent global shortage of architects which rmjm and harvard were trying to tackle.
I don't think architecture grads are much different from other grads in regards to professionally practicing what they went to college for. Of the people I graduated with roughly half, if not more, do not work in traditional architecture offices. One guy went to the developers end, another is in sales, several in construction, know one person is a manager at Home Depot, etc. etc. I've even talked to current students at my alma matter that have full intentions of going directly into the gaming industry and never ever become "Architects."
Obviously anyone spending time on Archinect is passionate about architecture and would probably prefer to work in that field. We're the ones that want to be Architects, but don't forget those thousands of people with archtiecture degrees that aren't visiting Archinect.
Good point, auqapura.
Thanks for the advice. Obviously I would prefer to work in my field of study, i.e. architecture. But I don't have control over job availability and I have to make a living somehow. Sadly an architecture degree is not really marketable in any way other than working in an architectural office. And with so many other design/construction related industries suffering, there are few options at the moment. Panic ensues.
I'm sure I suck at graphic design compared to those with professional graphic backgrounds. I mean, as far as I'm concerned, there's very little difference between Arial font and Helvetica. But apparently graphic designers see night and day. I'm like... really?!
I'm good at Photoshop. Maybe I can be the person who makes those "spot the difference" spreads in magazines. That job rocks!
my $.02, most people who ask me about school, employment, etc. are surprised that I actually work in the field I have a degree in.
That CNN report entitled "Want more money?" is wack! Everybody knows that you don't pursue architecture just for the money. And an 18% increase between 2006 and 2016... not with all the recent layoffs!!!
I think most people want to become architects and thats why they went to school, seems like the same as law school - lawyer. Its not like Political science = political scientists. Certain Professions are more 1:1 in there application to schooling.
(Begin Jack's Spam)
On another note, my friend's site for finding contractors and bids has now yielded 2 potential job leads for interior arch and design and thats not what the site was even for. I scanned the few ( its new this week) entries for my area and 2 of the posters dont have plans! I told him he needs a contact architects now button! Anyways I posted the link over in the does the web get you work thread but I'll post it again because in my case its gotten me 2 leads, albeit small ones, in a week.
shortlister
Plus designers - you can manage bids and bidding correspondence for your clients right through the site if you like
( end Jack's Spam)
I'm an unemployed architect. My father had a career that variously touched upon electrical engineering, teaching maths in a High School, lecturing about electronics in a college and founding then running a microprocessor lab at a University. Thing is, University degrees in the past were rarer and more likely to be taken 'on trust' as signs of General Competence. Nowadays, far more people go through tertiary education and far more people come out of it with specifically applied qualifications. Ergo, I think there's far less room these days for casual sideways shifts than there used to be, simply because the current ethos is to employ a 'specialist' to do a specific job, right [down?] to the Barrista who's trained to make your Gingerbread Latte.
As for myself, I'm brushing up on my musical skills and learning about video editing. The dream is to earn in a month with some cheesy Christmas [2009] hit more than I've earned in my entire career but, obviously, now I've been paying rather more attention to the career trajectories of some friends who are some extremely talented singer-songwriters and so on, I realise this dream is akin to another 'get rich quick' scheme of winning the lottery?
So, alternative careers are scary if, like me, one starts to view hobbies or passions as potential income streams such as to keep the wolf at the door, so to speak.
My other vague inclination is to go for the kind of job I'd perceive as 'low level but pleasant' such as working in a bookshop. But full-time jobs at very low pay well, it's just an even worse form of wage slavery than architecture employee and, most likely, just as draining of energy.
Maybe Night Porter... I could take my laptop and a 25note midi keyboard with me. Hmmm
P.S. Does staying at lots of five star hotels count as experience if applying to be a waiter/bar-staff/receptionist in one? ;-p
I'm going to create an underground bar and sell my homebrew as I tend bar ... I have been specializing in belgians, which you can get top dollar for these days.
if i get laid off, i'm going to apply at trader joe's. last night i was there while they were setting out the results of the employee gingerbread house competition. one entry in particular had a pretty impressive cantilever. that sounds way cooler than figuring where my piles and footings are going to go.
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