joben, there are plenty of intro to arch courses out there offered by state schools in the summer/fall as well as a few "career discover" programs that would give you a good taste about what the field is about.

just takes a little research on the google machine.

figure our where you'll be this summer or next and take a course or two (perhaps instead of calc and physics if you're unsure or worried). it won't give you a complete picture, but you should be able to tell after completing class projects and reading if your passion is stoked.

you can also research alumni from your undergrad who are currently architects and buy them coffee. they might offer up some excellent suggestions about your path and ways to fulfill your interests in the field.

as for reading, im into 'scape, so i can't help you out too much there...

theres a fair number of architects, older architects, who like to say that they would not recommend architecture to their children.

that statement is often followed by some comment about how they love architecture.

i think thats a clear forewarning of the potential struggles involved, depending on how you want to focus your work, what role or type of organization you want to belong to, and there are many ways to be involved in the general game.

in short, i don't think there's a single particular book or class that would determine whether architecture is for you or whether or not you'd be good at it. perhaps thats answer enough for you?

Perhaps reflect on what you think your own qualities are, in particular those things that excite you, and think of what part of the process of developing the city or a building to which they could begin to apply?

perhaps someone could suggest a book which details all the various roles involved?

Do you like to draw? Do you like software? do you like to organize things? how? visually, logically, verbally? do you like to think about how something could be put together? do you like to be part of the team climbing around a halfbuilt building? etc etc. All these things find a place in architecture and you dont have to be a master of them all.

while i dont personally care for authors like charles jenks, perhaps a generalist coffee table style book from the library would give you a large overview of what going on, or use this site or others to see the different aspects of the field, the different tracks people have taken, and does any of it inerest you? if none of it interests you, then just go elsewherefor the bucks. if you dont know if any of it interests you, then definitely take some classes to find out.

Joben, I would try the following:

- don't sleep for approximately 48 hours
- while up, go out a look for someone who will sponsor you to roll a rock up a hill 100 times (people who also sponsor terrorists are great for this).
- Begin rolling the rock up a hill, each time letting it roll back down to the bottom. As you are reach # 100, change hills and begin rolling the rock again, starting at zero.
- After you reach 100 at the second hill, meet your sponsor to collect your payment.
- Upon realization that your sponsor refuses to pay, return to your hill and commence rolling competitively the rock up the hill of your choice for free until your 48 hours are up.

If after this test you feel unfulfilled, architecture is not for you. If, however, you found the experience strangely satisfying, you have earned a celebratory bottle of 12 year old scotch. Proceed to drink the scotch until you are dead drunk. The next morning you will be ready to start architecture school.

There is no easy way to find out if you are 'good' at it, although I think there is a difference between being 'good' at it, ie making decent buildings, and having natural 'talent'. There are plenty of the former, few of the latter.

Took me several years before I 'got it'. Not that I couldn't have been ok if I didn't get it, but there was a particular moment that design just clicked. I struggle with it, of course, but I have a clearer idea of what is good, what makes something good, etc., that I did not have when I started (or even a year into design classes).


You are off to a good approach, though, understanding the financial limitations will help you make educated choices. My advice? Get a MBA and an Arch degree, either Bach+Masters, combo degree, etc. This will allow you to do what you want, such as Real estate development on the side, etc.


That's the perfectly rounded career path, imho.

Try waterboarding. If you like that, you'll be ready!!

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/conservative_radio_host_after_being_waterboarded_a.php?ref=fpblg

;-)

norman thanks for the advice...



trace how did it just suddenly click for you?

MRP + MArch not a good idea?

what kind of stuff can I do with an MBA/MArch degree... I never thought about that path...

With an MBA/MArch/Arch combo, or somethign similar, you will have the business knowledge to be attractive to any business out there, add to that the creative skills and you'll be even more attractive.

Obviously, you could pursue a regular arch career too, with that combo. Real estate development would be high on the list, as it combines the two. This is teh combo I would have gotten - a bach in arch, and a MArch/MBA combo (Columbia has one, as do a few other schools, try a search on here).

It just keeps all the doors open and provides for a more flexible (and profitable) future. I have a minor in business, but no where near what an MBA would teach you (I have considered going back for one in RE, but hard to justify the time/expense at this point).

I dont' know much about planning, but it is kinda lumped in with architecture. Business knowledge is something every profession needs, so it would much more flexible than two degrees in one area.


it suddenly "clicked" for me when I had a stellar teacher that pushed us really, really hard, gave wonderful assignments, guided us, etc. It just sort of happened over the course of a few weeks. I was very fortunate to have two more great professors after that that helped guide me. The school/teachers make ALL the difference.

I doubt it is this black and white for most, but to me that class made the difference of a lifetime. Up till then, I would work as hard or harder than teh best students and still did not 'get it'. After that, I at least knew what was good and what wasn't (although getting to 'good' is not always an easy or straight forward path).

I have an environmental planning undergrad... how would someone with no buisness background and no portfolio get onto this MBA/MArch track?

Call the schools. Most MArch I degrees accept a certain amount from non related fields.

You've got time to put together a portfolio, too. I am guessing you'd be applying for Fall 2010.

Take some art/photography/drawing, etc., etc. classes and work your butt off. It'll be worth it.