Heya, I'm looking for some early career and education advice. I'm in my late twenties and have been working in the nonprofit sector for the last decade or so but really considering hopping ship.
After just now finishing up an Associates of Science I have noticed most universities have me 5-6 years away from an M.Arch and too late for my B.Arch. I am living in Oregon, and specifically inspired and interested in green building; LEED certified, sustainability, self-sustaining homes, etcetc.
here are my initial questions/thoughts:
-anyone have advice on being a bit late to the game as a transfer student?
-In general does the market feel over-saturated for architects interested in sustainable building
- does the thousands of dollars in student loans make sense as a profession as we are in 2018? I noticed the avg salary is 78,000 for M.Arch which seems reasonable but how many graduates are actually working in the sector? Anyone have resources for statistics?
Also, anyone got suggestions for education /university programs for old ladies like me?
username_af
Apr 5, 18 4:15 am
It seems you have a keen interest in sustainability in the 'construction' industry as a whole, but do not necessarily care for a bachelors or masters in architecture.
I would suggest you look into certifications instead, and potentially seek employment at companies that need Sustainability Consultants. A few tips:
Get accredited by LEED. The curriculum is fairly simple - I did two weekend days (actually cant remember if it was two or four, but non the less it's not much) and the material is easy to go through, especially if you actually find it interesting.
Look for companies that do this kind of work - the big players WSP, AECOM, Pascal Watson (Sorry think they're all British - so you may not know what I'm speaking about) all have sustainability divisions and hire people specifically to look at the sustainability aspect of their projects.
There are also more specialist guys that do this kind of work - Transsolar in Germany is one but I'm sure there's many worldwide.
I don't think there's an over saturation in the market, but as you state architects in America may not be as well paid as other professionals. From my experience as a project management with a bachelors in Architecture, it seems as though the sustainability consultants do much better.
I hope this helps!
geezertect
Apr 5, 18 7:43 am
Sustainability Consultant sounds like a shaky job description built around a faddish buzzword. If you're concerned about global warming or whatever, become an engineer and work on real life solutions. Engineers will be the ones to solve the problem, not a bunch of architects collecting certifications and spouting platitudes. JMHO.
username_af
Apr 5, 18 8:07 am
It's actually a very real job and they are typically environmental consultants who assist us on projects where we are looking to obtain either LEED certification (or it;s equivalent on this part of the world).
geezertect
Apr 5, 18 9:05 am
But if LEED is simple to obtain (2-4 weeks??) why does any firm need to farm it out? Doesn't make intuitive sense.
Non Sequitur
Apr 5, 18 9:06 am
we farm it out because we don't have time to do the paper work.
username_af
Apr 5, 18 9:18 am
That was my personal experience - course work + about two weeks of study to become LEED Accredited.
Building / Projects take longer and require that a LEED Accredited Professional is on the job at various stages. Working in the project management industry, we do not hire LEED AP's internally, we outsource them from other companies who specialize in this.
thatsthat
Apr 5, 18 10:03 am
We use LEED consultants when fee permits because the paperwork is terrible and way too time-consuming. I looked at doing the LEED accreditation, until I realized that would require me to do all of the paperwork going forward.
melanietroutman
Apr 5, 18 12:02 pm
Any idea how these consultants get educated for this kind of work ?
Non Sequitur
Apr 5, 18 8:12 am
We employ building envelop specialist who also often act as our sustainability consultants... but these are PHd engineers with decades of experience... but Geezer's warning above applies as it's too easy to just click away and buy yourself fancy sounding credentials.
Non Sequitur
Apr 5, 18 8:13 am
also.... 78K/year? Maybe with 10 years experience and a hot market.
thatsthat
Apr 5, 18 10:01 am
I'll second this. 78 is very very optimistic.
melanietroutman
Apr 5, 18 12:00 pm
78k is average for your entire career, does that make it seem more reasonable?
Peter Normand
Apr 6, 18 9:49 am
yes it does. Architects tend to make about as much as teachers, but we don't have to always deal with other peoples children.
Wilma Buttfit
Apr 6, 18 10:44 am
(Architects deal with the same children teachers can't deal with as adults. Far worse, having done plenty of both myself. Plus you can punish the kids.)
Volunteer
Apr 5, 18 8:44 am
Here is my idea of "sustainability". The Pons Fabricius bridge was built in Rome in 62 BC and has been in service ever since. Do the math. Don't know if it is LEED compliant though. Might require a consultant.
melanietroutman
Apr 5, 18 11:58 am
totally agree! sustainability is multi-faceted, unfortunately in the US people build for projects to last 20-30 years instead of 100's.
geezertect
Apr 5, 18 3:12 pm
So, doesn't that tell you that sustainability is a marketing catch phrase that is not really taken very seriously?
melanietroutman
Apr 5, 18 10:27 pm
i've been working in the nonprofit sector for 10 years, i know all about making a real impact vs marketing strategies ;)
randomised
Apr 6, 18 3:34 am
Building for eternity isn't sustainable at all. People change you know; just look at people's proportions (height, weight, etc), we need to be able to adapt our surroundings accordingly.
Volunteer
Apr 6, 18 8:24 am
Santa Sophia, Istanbul, 537 AD, Pantheon, Rome, 117 AD, Santa Sabina, Rome, 422 AD, Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, 565 AD. Basilica of Constantine, Trier, Germany 310 AD. All still in daily use.
randomised
Apr 6, 18 9:09 am
Who gives a f*ck about religious buildings? They have nothing to do with the challenges facing us today, come on, try again...
Non Sequitur
Apr 6, 18 10:53 am
because people love their superstitions and will fight to maintain the illusions. Sure, they look pretty, but they are a dim reminder of how terribly stupid we can be.
melanietroutman
Apr 5, 18 11:57 am
hey guys, thank you for the additional information. Incredibly helpful.
Does anyone know of any specialized education that relates to sustainability in construction/design that would make you qualified to be a consultant like was mentioned above? (other than the LEED cert here in the US.)
I would love to finish off my Bachelors but really want to feel like i'm prepared for the job market when i get out and will be able to pay off those loans (i'm looking for the opposite of a philosophy major experience).
Peter Normand
Apr 6, 18 10:01 am
melanietroutman, About the other part of your original question, concerning your age and fitting in at an undergraduate architecture program. It should not be a huge problem, but if you want to go someplace with more age diversity look for programs that are part of a university and have significant ROTC and veterans using the GI bill to go to school. A significant presence of military veteran students should help with the age disparity as they will be entering school in the mid 20s to mid 30s. When I was in school we had a few GI bill folks who were in their 30s and 40s They figured they got the tuition housing and other expenses covered and they are vested in the military pension so why not study and take a stab at a new career. The veterans in our studio were the best folks to have on a team project.
The other thing to consider is your age can be an asset as you may have a better time relating to and understanding your faculty.
Don't let age be a reason not to try a career you have interest in.
Heya, I'm looking for some early career and education advice. I'm in my late twenties and have been working in the nonprofit sector for the last decade or so but really considering hopping ship.
After just now finishing up an Associates of Science I have noticed most universities have me 5-6 years away from an M.Arch and too late for my B.Arch. I am living in Oregon, and specifically inspired and interested in green building; LEED certified, sustainability, self-sustaining homes, etcetc.
here are my initial questions/thoughts:
-anyone have advice on being a bit late to the game as a transfer student?
-In general does the market feel over-saturated for architects interested in sustainable building
- does the thousands of dollars in student loans make sense as a profession as we are in 2018? I noticed the avg salary is 78,000 for M.Arch which seems reasonable but how many graduates are actually working in the sector? Anyone have resources for statistics?
Also, anyone got suggestions for education /university programs for old ladies like me?
It seems you have a keen interest in sustainability in the 'construction' industry as a whole, but do not necessarily care for a bachelors or masters in architecture.
I would suggest you look into certifications instead, and potentially seek employment at companies that need Sustainability Consultants. A few tips:
I don't think there's an over saturation in the market, but as you state architects in America may not be as well paid as other professionals. From my experience as a project management with a bachelors in Architecture, it seems as though the sustainability consultants do much better.
I hope this helps!
Sustainability Consultant sounds like a shaky job description built around a faddish buzzword. If you're concerned about global warming or whatever, become an engineer and work on real life solutions. Engineers will be the ones to solve the problem, not a bunch of architects collecting certifications and spouting platitudes. JMHO.
It's actually a very real job and they are typically environmental consultants who assist us on projects where we are looking to obtain either LEED certification (or it;s equivalent on this part of the world).
But if LEED is simple to obtain (2-4 weeks??) why does any firm need to farm it out? Doesn't make intuitive sense.
we farm it out because we don't have time to do the paper work.
That was my personal experience - course work + about two weeks of study to become LEED Accredited.
Building / Projects take longer and require that a LEED Accredited Professional is on the job at various stages. Working in the project management industry, we do not hire LEED AP's internally, we outsource them from other companies who specialize in this.
We use LEED consultants when fee permits because the paperwork is terrible and way too time-consuming. I looked at doing the LEED accreditation, until I realized that would require me to do all of the paperwork going forward.
Any idea how these consultants get educated for this kind of work ?
We employ building envelop specialist who also often act as our sustainability consultants... but these are PHd engineers with decades of experience... but Geezer's warning above applies as it's too easy to just click away and buy yourself fancy sounding credentials.
also.... 78K/year? Maybe with 10 years experience and a hot market.
I'll second this. 78 is very very optimistic.
78k is average for your entire career, does that make it seem more reasonable?
yes it does. Architects tend to make about as much as teachers, but we don't have to always deal with other peoples children.
(Architects deal with the same children teachers can't deal with as adults. Far worse, having done plenty of both myself. Plus you can punish the kids.)
Here is my idea of "sustainability". The Pons Fabricius bridge was built in Rome in 62 BC and has been in service ever since. Do the math. Don't know if it is LEED compliant though. Might require a consultant.
totally agree! sustainability is multi-faceted, unfortunately in the US people build for projects to last 20-30 years instead of 100's.
So, doesn't that tell you that sustainability is a marketing catch phrase that is not really taken very seriously?
i've been working in the nonprofit sector for 10 years, i know all about making a real impact vs marketing strategies ;)
Building for eternity isn't sustainable at all. People change you know; just look at people's proportions (height, weight, etc), we need to be able to adapt our surroundings accordingly.
Santa Sophia, Istanbul, 537 AD, Pantheon, Rome, 117 AD, Santa Sabina, Rome, 422 AD, Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, 565 AD. Basilica of Constantine, Trier, Germany 310 AD. All still in daily use.
Who gives a f*ck about religious buildings? They have nothing to do with the challenges facing us today, come on, try again...
because people love their superstitions and will fight to maintain the illusions. Sure, they look pretty, but they are a dim reminder of how terribly stupid we can be.
hey guys, thank you for the additional information. Incredibly helpful.
Does anyone know of any specialized education that relates to sustainability in construction/design that would make you qualified to be a consultant like was mentioned above? (other than the LEED cert here in the US.)
I would love to finish off my Bachelors but really want to feel like i'm prepared for the job market when i get out and will be able to pay off those loans (i'm looking for the opposite of a philosophy major experience).
melanietroutman, About the other part of your original question, concerning your age and fitting in at an undergraduate architecture program. It should not be a huge problem, but if you want to go someplace with more age diversity look for programs that are part of a university and have significant ROTC and veterans using the GI bill to go to school. A significant presence of military veteran students should help with the age disparity as they will be entering school in the mid 20s to mid 30s. When I was in school we had a few GI bill folks who were in their 30s and 40s They figured they got the tuition housing and other expenses covered and they are vested in the military pension so why not study and take a stab at a new career. The veterans in our studio were the best folks to have on a team project.
The other thing to consider is your age can be an asset as you may have a better time relating to and understanding your faculty.
Don't let age be a reason not to try a career you have interest in.
Over and OUT
Peter N