with a background in geography, go into planning.

do what you want, not what peedy says. if your heart says to do it, you will enjoy it and find your time well spent. you won't be disappointed.

would you rather have limited job choices for a degree you enjoyed or settle for less and unsure about where to take said degree?

I agree with the percentages and ignore peedy because just because you are currently in geography does not mean you should stick with it. And what does geography have to do with planning anyways?

I've worked with people that have arch background but never felt like they wanted to be architects but wanted to be on the engineering side and that's what they ended up doing, architecture engineering.

With so many architects doing whatever they want to do and have the engineering figure out the problems, you will never be out of work. I mean, as long as architects have work, engineers will have work too.

You are limited to our industry only, meaning if you want to do what you like to do. Nowadays many architects are doing job they never dreamed of doing and it is all because of the economic situation we are in. We all hope it is only temporary and we'll all get back into what we do.

It seems like you already made up your mind, but want more support and I sure give you that support. You should always go for something that you will love to do and enjoy doing.

Good luck!

I hesitate to confess this, but it's the truth : I don't think I really know what an architecture engineer is. In more than a decade in the office I don't think I've ever met one. What is an architecture engineer?

And what does geography have to do with planning anyways?


Uhm, like everything. LOL.

Geography is a pretty good overlay because academic and progressive planners utilize almost the same identical toolset as geographers.

Geography has a good amount applicable to planning, and to architecture as well (siting, surveying, maps, spatial studies, etc.). So its a good base for whatever I want to pursue.

From what I figure Arch. Engineers work on the nitty gritty of HVAC, lighting, and civil eng stuff. I want to push the green / energy efficient building technology alot, so I feel its more possible with an engineering degree than Architecture. Thanks muchly for the responses, much appreciated. Now to figure out where I want to go to school.

go for it. honestly, i see a lot of opportunity for you to be very successful in that field. especially as sustainable design continues to grow and new technologies along that line surface. there will be tons of demand for engineers who will help develop energy efficient systems. i was pretty stoked when all the engineers in my office (civil, structural, electrical, mechanical) became leed ap's.

i was also a geography undergrad, and thought that architecture was just putting buildings together in interesting ways...once i discovered it was so much more than that, i knew it was the right field for me...

some others in my program when they discovered that, couldn't grasp the abstract side of architecture and bailed out...this is usually evident by the second semester whether someone "gets it" or not...for that reason, i would suggest going to have a look see at some summer programs or intro courses to get a sense of what's out there...

the fact that you didn't use the word design in your posting and the way you described your "art" suggests that it might be worthwhile to gauge your understanding of what creativity means in relation to architectural design...then you'll know whether the arch. eng. is right for you, or if arch. should be your goal...

but if i had to put money on it, i'd say arch. eng. is where you'll go though...also look up building technology programs, which are similar...there's definitely M.Sc in building tech programs...

Wow im really glad this post is up here... I am in almost the exact same boat... I just graduated with my bachelors in environmental planning and I only recently grew this amazement with architecture, structures and the built environment... I would also love to help advance the "green" sustainable building designs and structures, and I am trying to figure out the best way to go about this... I am studying for the GRE's now and trying to put together a portfolio so I can apply to MArch programs, but I have been recently seeing trends appear that have deterred me a bit away from the field... The pay and the job security are apparently very very variable... Hearing stories of pulling all nighters and tight time schedules to finish a project and still worrying about a job and salary seems to be the story of all architects lives... I would love to design and help create the future of buildings that can combat the nations energy crisis... sustainable building and environmentally friendly structures has really been pushed on me from my first bachelors, but it has really left a huge impression on me regardless... I too have been contemplating going back for ANOTHER bachelors in engineering, and I too have contemplated architectural engineering... The schools I would want to recieve my second bachelors though I would want to be close to my home so I could live at home and work towards the degree (seeing how I am already in a bit of debt from my first bachelors I would hate to build another HUGE debt by living on campus or away from home)... With that being said the only programs near me dont really offer architectural engineering... Would an engineering degree in another field such as civil? structural? environmental? allow me the freedom to possibly help create/design? or does that really fall under the "architectural" engineering focus? how does an architectural engineer differ than other engineers such as civil? I feel like civil might grant me the ability to focus on some of my passions and goals... maybe?

I know receiving 2 bachelors is a bit unorthodox, but the way I figure I might be able to shave off a semester or 2 because I already completed a bachelors so some courses may carry over... If thats the case it would take possible 3-3 1/2 years, just like an MArch... But the kicker would be better pay, and much better job security... It almost seems to simple, but thats what I am trying to figure out...

If anyone can offer some assisstance I would appreciate it... I have been reading this thread and there is some really useful stuff...

Joben - Thats a very similar situation to mine, and I am glad I am not the only one thinking about taking this route. I think 2 bachelors is not bad at all if you can find the relevance to your previous. For engineering it will definitely help. From my understanding an Arch. Eng focuses on the inner aspects of the building, and that can be anything depending on your focus. Other routes such as civil are broader in scope, and a lot is possible. I like the idea of the environmental planner and engineer together, this would contribute to some big changes and progress for sure. Its all about what you want to do / focus on, and something you will be happy doing when you're 40-50. GOodLuck

Any progress on this at all Joben? I am still undecided, and the further I look into it, the harder it seems. With transfer creds and all that a B.Eng degree would be 3.5-3 years, and grad apps wouldn't need the much daunting GRE exam. Although there is something so challenging about Arch schools, the life seems a lot more enchanting and fun!