I apologize for being whiny, but I've realized I'm just not happy. I'm 28, feel trapped and burnt out and view pursuing architecture as a career as the worst mistake of my life. Why did I do it? Well growing up I thought construction was the coolest thing ever and pretty much put a treehouse in every tree in the neighborhood so I thought it made sense to pursue it.
Regardless tell me if I'm mistaken but there seems to be only two paths in architecture from my experience at firms ranging in size from 500 people to 3. The first is becoming a designer where since everyone wants to do that the pay is low and you are most likely working for a firm that breaks a lot of labor laws. The second direction is becoming a technical architect where you work long hours so that somewhere in your 40's you make around 70-80k figuring out fire stairs but you are still mostly a CAD tech doing work you could have just gotten an ITT tech degree for. When you work in either of these situations you are told school taught you nothing relevant. Which is totally true because I didn't go to school to become a CAD tech. Seems as though firms are in the same situation as taxi companies with Uber and Lyft, they didn't modernize and have to rely on legislation to stay relevant. So yes i don't have the skills to program .cbt files and troubleshoot in depth revit model issues but I do possess basic CAD skills, basic revit skills, ability to read CD's, basic building system knowledge and basic energy analysis and system sizing for sustainable systems. The typical firm has no need for these skills it seems because their scope is just drawings. Seems as though a lot of the more valuable jobs such as cost estimation and actual building systems design has been swooped up by large contractors and "consultants" willing to take the liability. My question is what are these other jobs? I know the skills I have are valuable where to look though? Has anyone worked for a retailer? I knew a PM at quicksilver for its retail stores and the job sounded awesome. Has anyone worked for a developer? I've heard of front end design being done in house with you guessed it the drawings being outsourced to a CADitect. What about large design build contractors for industrial projects? Anyone have experience there? I don't care if the job is boring. All jobs are, so I might as well get paid. I refuse to continue on the path of working 50-60 hr weeks for a future of CAD making a topped out salary of 90k help!!!!
StarchitectAlpha
Jul 17, 15 3:50 pm
My base is typical high 40's the rest is overtime. Not worth it, I'd rather have a life. I've even been contemplating the great evil. Working for the government. Everyone I know doing it lists just insane perks and benefits. Friday's off, court order to get fired, free health with no deductible, every holiday known to mankind off, 50-100% retirement matching and surprisingly a good salary. I realize I would have no pride in my work whatsoever but man....I'd have a life! But do I really want to become a leech?
curtkram
Jul 17, 15 4:12 pm
i wonder if you could have pride in government work?
i think the part where you can't get fired creates a culture of bureaucracy, where there are just too make cooks in the kitchen, too many people at meetings and noone wants to make decisions because there are so many people that have to have input. from what i've seen there seems to be an incentive to do shitty work, and essentially no reward for really caring about the design.
but if you did care about the design, maybe it is possible to put in a little extra effort in a government setting? do you think there is an actual impediment or barrier to caring, or just an environment that attracts people who don't really care?
anonitect
Jul 17, 15 4:46 pm
there seems to be an incentive to do shitty work, and essentially no reward for really caring about the design.
Where do you live, Alabama? We've got competent, intellegent. and responsible people in planning/development around here -- no more bullshit bureaucracy than you'd find at any large firm, and probably fewer impossibly egocentric assholes to coddle. We've got to get out of the stupid mindset that working in the public interest makes you a leech. Fuck Ayn Rand.
curtkram
Jul 17, 15 4:52 pm
i figured he meant gsa or similar.
you're right anon, building department would also be government and sometimes those folks are alright. also, i don't think working for the public interest makes you a leech (as star suggested above), i'm just expressing concern over mismanagement in those organizations that leads to disincentive.
Thayer-D
Jul 18, 15 7:32 am
I'd recommend design build as Donna said. It's underrated for obvious reasons but a lot closer to what architects did for two thousand years. Get in there and learn how it goes together, along with pricing and scheduling. The design portion is also full of opportunities, if your boss isn't a Neanderthal.
Chris Alker
Jul 24, 15 9:55 am
Your initial post sounded familiar, but also rendered the two ends of the spectrum. There is a middle ground. While I think that getting a license and starting your own firm is ideal, and really the best reason to become an architect, there is no reason you can't find work at a decent firm that appreciates good design and requires less than 45 hours a week. I know, because that is my situation. I did the burnout skyscraper firm route, then worked for a wannabe starchitect, both were tough for various reasons (including low pay and long hours). But I have since worked for two firms, one presently, that does solid design and give me respectable hours and pay. You are finishing your 20's, and will soon be in the best decade to practice architecture, your thirties. By now you should have the knowledge to pull together drawing sets by yourself, run a meeting, competent to knock out those pesky licensing exams, and can confidently pick up work at any firm without skipping a beat. I propose you tune up your portfolio and look for a mid sized firm who will appreciate your experience. The way to get a salary bump and reduce hours over the years is to switch firms every few years until you find the sweet spot. Making your knowledge indispensable is key; this is job security and the road to independence.
Cindy1
Oct 5, 19 9:38 pm
I need some advice. I am a manager for a paint company, I am also a color consultant, an architectural coatings technologist. I am presently studying nterior decoarting. I am totally under paid. I am I the business for 15 yrs and I have seen designers come into my space but cannot do their job.
I apologize for being whiny, but I've realized I'm just not happy. I'm 28, feel trapped and burnt out and view pursuing architecture as a career as the worst mistake of my life. Why did I do it? Well growing up I thought construction was the coolest thing ever and pretty much put a treehouse in every tree in the neighborhood so I thought it made sense to pursue it.
Regardless tell me if I'm mistaken but there seems to be only two paths in architecture from my experience at firms ranging in size from 500 people to 3. The first is becoming a designer where since everyone wants to do that the pay is low and you are most likely working for a firm that breaks a lot of labor laws. The second direction is becoming a technical architect where you work long hours so that somewhere in your 40's you make around 70-80k figuring out fire stairs but you are still mostly a CAD tech doing work you could have just gotten an ITT tech degree for. When you work in either of these situations you are told school taught you nothing relevant. Which is totally true because I didn't go to school to become a CAD tech. Seems as though firms are in the same situation as taxi companies with Uber and Lyft, they didn't modernize and have to rely on legislation to stay relevant. So yes i don't have the skills to program .cbt files and troubleshoot in depth revit model issues but I do possess basic CAD skills, basic revit skills, ability to read CD's, basic building system knowledge and basic energy analysis and system sizing for sustainable systems. The typical firm has no need for these skills it seems because their scope is just drawings. Seems as though a lot of the more valuable jobs such as cost estimation and actual building systems design has been swooped up by large contractors and "consultants" willing to take the liability. My question is what are these other jobs? I know the skills I have are valuable where to look though? Has anyone worked for a retailer? I knew a PM at quicksilver for its retail stores and the job sounded awesome. Has anyone worked for a developer? I've heard of front end design being done in house with you guessed it the drawings being outsourced to a CADitect. What about large design build contractors for industrial projects? Anyone have experience there? I don't care if the job is boring. All jobs are, so I might as well get paid. I refuse to continue on the path of working 50-60 hr weeks for a future of CAD making a topped out salary of 90k help!!!!
My base is typical high 40's the rest is overtime. Not worth it, I'd rather have a life. I've even been contemplating the great evil. Working for the government. Everyone I know doing it lists just insane perks and benefits. Friday's off, court order to get fired, free health with no deductible, every holiday known to mankind off, 50-100% retirement matching and surprisingly a good salary. I realize I would have no pride in my work whatsoever but man....I'd have a life! But do I really want to become a leech?
i wonder if you could have pride in government work?
i think the part where you can't get fired creates a culture of bureaucracy, where there are just too make cooks in the kitchen, too many people at meetings and noone wants to make decisions because there are so many people that have to have input. from what i've seen there seems to be an incentive to do shitty work, and essentially no reward for really caring about the design.
but if you did care about the design, maybe it is possible to put in a little extra effort in a government setting? do you think there is an actual impediment or barrier to caring, or just an environment that attracts people who don't really care?
there seems to be an incentive to do shitty work, and essentially no reward for really caring about the design.
Where do you live, Alabama? We've got competent, intellegent. and responsible people in planning/development around here -- no more bullshit bureaucracy than you'd find at any large firm, and probably fewer impossibly egocentric assholes to coddle. We've got to get out of the stupid mindset that working in the public interest makes you a leech. Fuck Ayn Rand.
i figured he meant gsa or similar.
you're right anon, building department would also be government and sometimes those folks are alright. also, i don't think working for the public interest makes you a leech (as star suggested above), i'm just expressing concern over mismanagement in those organizations that leads to disincentive.
I'd recommend design build as Donna said. It's underrated for obvious reasons but a lot closer to what architects did for two thousand years. Get in there and learn how it goes together, along with pricing and scheduling. The design portion is also full of opportunities, if your boss isn't a Neanderthal.
Your initial post sounded familiar, but also rendered the two ends of the spectrum. There is a middle ground. While I think that getting a license and starting your own firm is ideal, and really the best reason to become an architect, there is no reason you can't find work at a decent firm that appreciates good design and requires less than 45 hours a week. I know, because that is my situation. I did the burnout skyscraper firm route, then worked for a wannabe starchitect, both were tough for various reasons (including low pay and long hours). But I have since worked for two firms, one presently, that does solid design and give me respectable hours and pay. You are finishing your 20's, and will soon be in the best decade to practice architecture, your thirties. By now you should have the knowledge to pull together drawing sets by yourself, run a meeting, competent to knock out those pesky licensing exams, and can confidently pick up work at any firm without skipping a beat. I propose you tune up your portfolio and look for a mid sized firm who will appreciate your experience. The way to get a salary bump and reduce hours over the years is to switch firms every few years until you find the sweet spot. Making your knowledge indispensable is key; this is job security and the road to independence.
I need some advice. I am a manager for a paint company, I am also a color consultant, an architectural coatings technologist. I am presently studying nterior decoarting. I am totally under paid. I am I the business for 15 yrs and I have seen designers come into my space but cannot do their job.