Oh come on. That's too cynical. There has to be some ppl working in related fields; public works, parks, urban planning, computers, graphics, real estate development, project management for construction companies, etc.
Oh come on. That's too cynical. There has to be some ppl working in related fields; public works, parks, urban planning, computers, graphics, real estate development, project management for construction companies, etc.
dude. before calling people cynical check your comprehension. all those things you listed above also go down when the times are rough for architects.
^ Seems like every arch grad thinks he's going to be competing with starchitects the day after graduation. This is the result of a massive con job propagated by schools and a sense of entitlement by those who drank the Kool-Aid.
Maybe people should do some basic research *before* choosing a career path.
What Miles said nearly knocked me out of the profession years ago. Entry level jobs are just that-entry level. The hope is that you learn and put in the time to work your way up and get real responsibility.
I don't care about getting entry level work, just that there is work on some level. I didn't mean to say that drafter is lowest end, just that it would be nice to know that there's hope at the end of all this.
And Jaffe what is this kool aid you think I drank. People tend to think the competition is stiff so they have concerns after graduation. What is this sense of entitlement you think younger generations have?
A problem I've encountered is that employers never don't want to invest in on-the-job training, nor do they have the patience to give new employees a little time to get up to speed. If you're not 'producing' at the same rate as everyone else in the office, by your second day, then your job is in jeopardy.
i assume the "sense of entitlement" miles is referring to is your expectation that someone will be there to offer you a job? it's not your fault (at least imho). your parents taught you that if you get a good education it will improve your life and all that. now you're on your own. good luck.
Maybe the Kool Aid is the belief that you were entering a real profession (like law or medicine) where financial remuneration was a reasonable expectation.
So you guys wouldn't say architecture is practical professional field like law or medicine? The legal profession is saturated with grads with the same mentality only it's worse because if you graduate from a third tier law school you're SOL and might be relegated to becoming a clerk or a paralegal. It's the same darn thing. I know because I'm leaving law world to pursue architecture. I would think architects possess tangible skills that would help in many fields besides design.
I find it funny that expecting a job has now been added to the list of "entitlements" in this poor economy. I agree that studying anthropology might be pushing your luck but architecture? I know construction'a been hit hard but I was asking what other fields do architects consider in times like this?
For the record the only things I consider to be recession proof are medicine, the hard sciences; mainly engineering. Law is not one of them.
I am aware of the problems faced by young lawyers, and I've read surveys saying that a majority of physicians would not recommend medicine, either. By real profession, I was making a sarcastic reference to the compensation problems which persist in good times and bad. What other profession almost takes poverty as a badge of honor and proof of your love and dedication?
Most architects probably tend to consider other real estate/construction industry specialties, but as noted earlier they are just different parts of the same industry and subject to the same boom/bust cycles. When you are in the middle of a hurricane, changing the boat you're on may do you no good.
People love to complain. If you really want a job in the field and you are committed to it, you will find one. Try GC's CM's Real Estate Firms, Engineering Firms, etc.
The job market has changed and everyone needs to adapt rather than complaining that you can't find a job.
in 09' I adapted and 12 months later got back aboard - you just have to do what it takes - with every downturn, there comes a an increase in required qualifications.
I'm not complaining. I will do what it takes. I was just wondering if there was hope even in the smallest measure. I'm not the type that just lies down and gives up. Plus money isn't all that important to me. Just enough to get by would be fine.
I find Architectural Competitions that are open to young professionals to be very interesting:
you can choose the type of project you want to enroll in; the people who you would like to work with; it's a different challenge from daily office life and also if you don't earn any award you can still have a presentable work to enrichen your portfolio, what do you think?
You have to keep fighting to get licensed. Without it’s a lost cause. If you want to stay in the field during a downturn consider sales in building materials, try to get someone to take you on part time in architecture, consider real estate sales. Its always easy to land a sales job, you don’t get paid unless there is a sale, but its something, and by all means keep networking. Going back for some classes is productive. Also stay close to family and friends during a downturn, keep active in your community. Relocating, sadly to me, is also an alternative. Look at statistics during a downturn and you’ll see that things only drop off 20% or so industry wide, there is always something going on somewhere.
take two years off and live in your parent's basement, become a recluse, post on archinect, finally find a job at a warehouse that pays minimum wage :/
architects can't starve.... we may have less payscale ... but we always have work.... do you remember any of your friend who is architect and he does not have anything to do... i mean not by his own choice....
I went back to school to get my Master's. This downturn can't last forever! I will be ready when the work starts flowing in, again. (fyi-I'm still working)
Jul 18, 14 7:20 am ·
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What do architects do during down turns?
What other jobs do architects go into? When the economy slumps what fields do architects slide into? Computers, IT, project management,??
Retail.
gardening, mcdonalds, temp agencies, waiter, snow removal, grass cutting/landscaping,
Repo man, collection agent, telemarketing, pole dancing.
Not necessarily in that order.
Wal-Mart greeter, restaurant health inspector, fast food counter help, hospital janitor, slaughterhouse cutter, sewer maintenance, porn theater janitor, TSA security scanner, Disneyworld mascot, 7-11 clerk, drug mule, mortician, proctologist, DMV processor
Many of these are relevant training for a career in architecture.
Many of these are relevant training for a career in architecture
Who says an architecture degree isn't versatile?
Rehab.
What do architects do during down turns?
Write, teach, volunteer, enter competitions, try another career, offer bitter commentary... all are popular choices in times like these.
Kick themselves for not changing careers when the labor market was strong and alternatives were available.
^^^^^^
Yup
Oh come on. That's too cynical. There has to be some ppl working in related fields; public works, parks, urban planning, computers, graphics, real estate development, project management for construction companies, etc.
any of these ring true ?
No... those fields want someone who has experience in that Kinda stuff... I got one, Sock puppeteer and sock muppet designer tooo... uhh and ahh!
Oh come on. That's too cynical. There has to be some ppl working in related fields; public works, parks, urban planning, computers, graphics, real estate development, project management for construction companies, etc.
dude. before calling people cynical check your comprehension. all those things you listed above also go down when the times are rough for architects.
But even at the lowest level what can a recent graduate expect? Auto Cad monkey? Junior architect? Arch technician?
What hope is there?
at the lowest level? i don't think working as a drafter is the lowest level.
^ Seems like every arch grad thinks he's going to be competing with starchitects the day after graduation. This is the result of a massive con job propagated by schools and a sense of entitlement by those who drank the Kool-Aid.
Maybe people should do some basic research *before* choosing a career path.
My whole generation grew up on Kool-Aid. And Sunny-D.
I don't care about getting entry level work, just that there is work on some level. I didn't mean to say that drafter is lowest end, just that it would be nice to know that there's hope at the end of all this.
And Jaffe what is this kool aid you think I drank. People tend to think the competition is stiff so they have concerns after graduation. What is this sense of entitlement you think younger generations have?
A problem I've encountered is that employers never don't want to invest in on-the-job training, nor do they have the patience to give new employees a little time to get up to speed. If you're not 'producing' at the same rate as everyone else in the office, by your second day, then your job is in jeopardy.
i assume the "sense of entitlement" miles is referring to is your expectation that someone will be there to offer you a job? it's not your fault (at least imho). your parents taught you that if you get a good education it will improve your life and all that. now you're on your own. good luck.
Maybe the Kool Aid is the belief that you were entering a real profession (like law or medicine) where financial remuneration was a reasonable expectation.
So you guys wouldn't say architecture is practical professional field like law or medicine? The legal profession is saturated with grads with the same mentality only it's worse because if you graduate from a third tier law school you're SOL and might be relegated to becoming a clerk or a paralegal. It's the same darn thing. I know because I'm leaving law world to pursue architecture. I would think architects possess tangible skills that would help in many fields besides design.
I find it funny that expecting a job has now been added to the list of "entitlements" in this poor economy. I agree that studying anthropology might be pushing your luck but architecture? I know construction'a been hit hard but I was asking what other fields do architects consider in times like this?
For the record the only things I consider to be recession proof are medicine, the hard sciences; mainly engineering. Law is not one of them.
I am aware of the problems faced by young lawyers, and I've read surveys saying that a majority of physicians would not recommend medicine, either. By real profession, I was making a sarcastic reference to the compensation problems which persist in good times and bad. What other profession almost takes poverty as a badge of honor and proof of your love and dedication?
Most architects probably tend to consider other real estate/construction industry specialties, but as noted earlier they are just different parts of the same industry and subject to the same boom/bust cycles. When you are in the middle of a hurricane, changing the boat you're on may do you no good.
People love to complain. If you really want a job in the field and you are committed to it, you will find one. Try GC's CM's Real Estate Firms, Engineering Firms, etc.
The job market has changed and everyone needs to adapt rather than complaining that you can't find a job.
^ Or not.
A bit too much "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" for reality.
in 09' I adapted and 12 months later got back aboard - you just have to do what it takes - with every downturn, there comes a an increase in required qualifications.
What do architects do during down turns?
Take on some free interns.
I'm not complaining. I will do what it takes. I was just wondering if there was hope even in the smallest measure. I'm not the type that just lies down and gives up. Plus money isn't all that important to me. Just enough to get by would be fine.
+++ geezer for the hurricane metaphor.
I find Architectural Competitions that are open to young professionals to be very interesting:
you can choose the type of project you want to enroll in; the people who you would like to work with; it's a different challenge from daily office life and also if you don't earn any award you can still have a presentable work to enrichen your portfolio, what do you think?
https://www.facebook.com/Ctrl.Space.Competitions
You have to keep fighting to get licensed. Without it’s a lost cause. If you want to stay in the field during a downturn consider sales in building materials, try to get someone to take you on part time in architecture, consider real estate sales. Its always easy to land a sales job, you don’t get paid unless there is a sale, but its something, and by all means keep networking. Going back for some classes is productive. Also stay close to family and friends during a downturn, keep active in your community. Relocating, sadly to me, is also an alternative. Look at statistics during a downturn and you’ll see that things only drop off 20% or so industry wide, there is always something going on somewhere.
take two years off and live in your parent's basement, become a recluse, post on archinect, finally find a job at a warehouse that pays minimum wage :/
@Question
architects can't starve.... we may have less payscale ... but we always have work....
do you remember any of your friend who is architect and he does not have anything to do... i mean not by his own choice....
I went back to school to get my Master's. This downturn can't last forever! I will be ready when the work starts flowing in, again. (fyi-I'm still working)
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