First of all, I'm greatfull to be employed. However, I'm frustrated and tired of doing the same thing every day. The problem is that I work for a manufacturing company as an architectural drafter. The thing is, I make about 50k a year, which isn't bad for a drafter. I'm not being challened, and frankly, drawing the same details everyday is extremely boring. I've always envisioned myself working at a firm, being involved with many different and challenging projects. I only took about 2 1/2 years of architecture school, and to be honest, I'm already 35 years old and it's a little to late to get my degree. I've heard a lot of negative reactions from people working at firms, so I'm hesitant to look for employment at a firm. I love architecture and I have always been passionate about it. What should I do?
I mean your right! I wouldn't make the move until the economy improved. But do you think it would be worth it to start at the bottom at a firm at my age and having to compete with a fresh college grad?
it's not a bad time to be in school--though you might face a bit more competition to get in these days. It get's harder to go back the older you get, but 35 certainly isn't too old--
financially, you should stay where you are, I doubt you'd ever get the ROI to work out on leaving your current job to go back to school, especially since you'll likely graduateand get a job that doesn't even pay more than your current position
agreed...stay the course till things start to open up. Just fill your ipod with great tunes, listen to some funny podcasts, and just get through the day.
The big reason why I didn't continue on with school is because my family relied on me financially. I tried evening classes but most schools that have an architecture program are limited with evening classes. I would have to go during the day fulltime. Which again, because of my family, it makes it very difficult for me. The thing is, I think that the only chance I have of ever becoming and architect, which has always been a dream for me, is having experience and years of working in a firm. I do have some knowledge of construction and building codes, but unfornately, if I ever wanted to become a licensed architect, you need to have a certain amount of years of experience at an office. A manufacturing company, although I deal with architects and contractors, will not count.
I'll be the black sheep here. I think you should build up a decent portfolio (do competitions, freelancing, or creating some speculative work) so you can improve your portfolio...and then try to find a new job doing work you've always wanted to do. Don't let economic instability force you to stay at a place you despise. Do something to change it...otherwise it'll just drag on, and on, for years, and before you know it you're even more stuck than you are now. If you don't like your life, change it. Pretty simple, as far as I'm concerned.
A guy that use to work here where I'm at was here for twenty years. Doing the same thing. Day in and day out. Everyday he would preach how he hated his job and wanted out. Well, he got what he wanted by getting laid-off. I've only been here a few years and I certainly don't want to become him. I have done a little bit of freelancing and also working on my porfolio. But woudn't you guys agree that I need some years in an office.
Yes, you need some experience in a good office, but you're not going to get into a good office unless you have a good portfolio. I'm not talking about spending the next year doing this...I'm talking about 2 intense months of improving your portfolio, then applying immediately thereafter. You need to sell yourself, and if your portfolio is based on the crappy work you've been doing for this place, you're never going to succeed in your quest to do good work. You'll just be hopping from one shitty place to another. There's a lot of competition for good positions out there now...so you need to make a strong case for yourself. Otherwise you're just gonna be stuck doing crap like your laid-off colleague did.
if it's your passion to work at an arch.office, go for it. if you work on your designskills paired with your existing technical drafting skills, you can be a great asset to a firm. so many fresh-out-of-school kids have no practical technical experience that it should be possible to get in. you'll start at the bottom but your dedication, knowledge and skills should push you upwards in the office hierarchy pretty fast. just be careful that you don't end up as the cadmonkey because that's what you're good at.
Randomized,
your right about working on my designskills. Unfortunately, all they use here is pretty much autocad. I do want to get into using some rendering softwares on my own, but there are so many out there. I'd atleast like to be proficient with one or two. Is 3d-max and Revit one of the most commonly used in firms right now?
You're not going to learn 3d max or Revit in a few months, at least not enough to be competitive with others who've mastered 3d modelling and rendering. Start with Sketchup and Vray if you really want to learn 3D.
I agree with FP's suggestion on doing competitions. Competitions are a great way build up your portfolio and demonstrate to perspective employers what you can do.
Not knowing where you live or the circle of people that you know, I would also suggest that while you are waiting for job market to open up again that you could network with people in the professional. If you have any friends or colleagues that work in the architectural profession let them know where you passion lies and what you want to do.
Good luck!
Oct 17, 09 1:00 pm ·
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Hello everyone,
First of all, I'm greatfull to be employed. However, I'm frustrated and tired of doing the same thing every day. The problem is that I work for a manufacturing company as an architectural drafter. The thing is, I make about 50k a year, which isn't bad for a drafter. I'm not being challened, and frankly, drawing the same details everyday is extremely boring. I've always envisioned myself working at a firm, being involved with many different and challenging projects. I only took about 2 1/2 years of architecture school, and to be honest, I'm already 35 years old and it's a little to late to get my degree. I've heard a lot of negative reactions from people working at firms, so I'm hesitant to look for employment at a firm. I love architecture and I have always been passionate about it. What should I do?
Zune
Switch to an iPod.
Then stay at your job for a few more years until the economy improves!
I mean your right! I wouldn't make the move until the economy improved. But do you think it would be worth it to start at the bottom at a firm at my age and having to compete with a fresh college grad?
it's not a bad time to be in school--though you might face a bit more competition to get in these days. It get's harder to go back the older you get, but 35 certainly isn't too old--
financially, you should stay where you are, I doubt you'd ever get the ROI to work out on leaving your current job to go back to school, especially since you'll likely graduateand get a job that doesn't even pay more than your current position
agreed...stay the course till things start to open up. Just fill your ipod with great tunes, listen to some funny podcasts, and just get through the day.
The big reason why I didn't continue on with school is because my family relied on me financially. I tried evening classes but most schools that have an architecture program are limited with evening classes. I would have to go during the day fulltime. Which again, because of my family, it makes it very difficult for me. The thing is, I think that the only chance I have of ever becoming and architect, which has always been a dream for me, is having experience and years of working in a firm. I do have some knowledge of construction and building codes, but unfornately, if I ever wanted to become a licensed architect, you need to have a certain amount of years of experience at an office. A manufacturing company, although I deal with architects and contractors, will not count.
I'll be the black sheep here. I think you should build up a decent portfolio (do competitions, freelancing, or creating some speculative work) so you can improve your portfolio...and then try to find a new job doing work you've always wanted to do. Don't let economic instability force you to stay at a place you despise. Do something to change it...otherwise it'll just drag on, and on, for years, and before you know it you're even more stuck than you are now. If you don't like your life, change it. Pretty simple, as far as I'm concerned.
A guy that use to work here where I'm at was here for twenty years. Doing the same thing. Day in and day out. Everyday he would preach how he hated his job and wanted out. Well, he got what he wanted by getting laid-off. I've only been here a few years and I certainly don't want to become him. I have done a little bit of freelancing and also working on my porfolio. But woudn't you guys agree that I need some years in an office.
Yes, you need some experience in a good office, but you're not going to get into a good office unless you have a good portfolio. I'm not talking about spending the next year doing this...I'm talking about 2 intense months of improving your portfolio, then applying immediately thereafter. You need to sell yourself, and if your portfolio is based on the crappy work you've been doing for this place, you're never going to succeed in your quest to do good work. You'll just be hopping from one shitty place to another. There's a lot of competition for good positions out there now...so you need to make a strong case for yourself. Otherwise you're just gonna be stuck doing crap like your laid-off colleague did.
no doubt about that, FP. Thanks for your comment.
if it's your passion to work at an arch.office, go for it. if you work on your designskills paired with your existing technical drafting skills, you can be a great asset to a firm. so many fresh-out-of-school kids have no practical technical experience that it should be possible to get in. you'll start at the bottom but your dedication, knowledge and skills should push you upwards in the office hierarchy pretty fast. just be careful that you don't end up as the cadmonkey because that's what you're good at.
Randomized,
your right about working on my designskills. Unfortunately, all they use here is pretty much autocad. I do want to get into using some rendering softwares on my own, but there are so many out there. I'd atleast like to be proficient with one or two. Is 3d-max and Revit one of the most commonly used in firms right now?
You're not going to learn 3d max or Revit in a few months, at least not enough to be competitive with others who've mastered 3d modelling and rendering. Start with Sketchup and Vray if you really want to learn 3D.
I'm liking this sketchup and vray revolution!
VIVA LA CHEAPNESS!
for 3d I would also recommend rhino. easy to use, similar interface to acad, good render plugins available, grasshopper, used for 3d fabrication, etc.
Zune,
I agree with FP's suggestion on doing competitions. Competitions are a great way build up your portfolio and demonstrate to perspective employers what you can do.
Not knowing where you live or the circle of people that you know, I would also suggest that while you are waiting for job market to open up again that you could network with people in the professional. If you have any friends or colleagues that work in the architectural profession let them know where you passion lies and what you want to do.
Good luck!
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