Any architects on the board?

[Sparky]

Any architects on the board?

 

I was wondering if there are any architects on Hybridz? and if we do have some here, if you could tell me what the market is like for entering architects, and if a masters is required to get anywhere (like my professors seem to think) I am also wondering what other possible career choices one might have with a B.S. in arch. Or even a masters?

 

Also, if somebody wanted to pursue a career in architecture, but could not draw (but could visualize everything and everything) if that would cause problems. Since most drafting is done with CAD programs now, are freehand skills absolutely necessary?

 

Anywho, thanks for entertaining my questions.

[BayAreaZT]

I almost went into architecture instead of engineering. I still contemplate switching over or doing architecture on the side. I think I just like design in general. You do not need a masters degree but I think you have to do some kind of appenticeship after you finish school. You don't have to be able to draw like an artist, you just need to be able to communicate your ideas on paper. You will probably have some basic drawing classes and CAD work will probably be the majority of your work so I wouldn't worry too much about freehand sketching.

[Sparky]

cool,

 

thanks for the info. im worried about just having a BS and then getting stuck being a draft monkey...guess i need to talk to some other profs and see what they think

 

thanks again.

[innerware]

You will most definately have to sell your soul for a few years and like bayareaZ said aprentice. Basically how it works is that you will have to dedicate a few years after school to a company doing grunt work. You can get lucky and get something more. Be prepared to do alot of cad work. And don't be discurraged if you don't actually design anything for quite some time. You might get lucky and find a job ata small company that gives you more responsibility. Depends on what kind of architecture you are wanting to do, IE retail, commecial, residential, landscape, interior, hospital. Do the kind of desing that speaks to you and just be prepared to be a grunt. Drawing skills are definately a must. Maybe you won't use them at first depending on what you are doing but you have to be able to communicate visually and fast. Beautifully rendered perspectives can be done by others but that skill can get you jobs too. But having rapid vis skills is a must in brainstorming meetings within the company or with the client. Definately take drawing classes. I build architectural models daily and have for years. I also have worked as a cad drafter and am in grad school for industrial design. So I say this having dealt daily with architects from all types of companies. Just figure this, the better you are at a lot of things the better you can sell yourself to a future employer. The more skills and the better you are at them the more desirable you will be. No Masters is required but the extra eduction is always good.

 

Good luck,

[kellhammer]

Master's degree is not required to get a job but it can increase your odds.

Hand sketching is a talent that requires practice for most of us. For some it is a natural talent that they don't seem to have trouble with. Don't be discourage by these people. My personal feeling is that it is a valuable asset and your education should include show freehand sketch classes.

If you like to draw it will be much easier. If you don't you'll have to work harder at it. Don't worry if it is good or bad but that it is tool for which we communicate our ideas with. As far as job prospects my opinion is go to a small office. First, because there are lots of them. The pay and benefits will be less but your goal should be to gain experience. You'll get a better chance a larger amount of responsiblities. Larger offices tend to put you off in a corner to perform some basic task over and over. Unless you already have some experience that they find valuable. Small offices can't always afford someone for every task so you get to handle tasks more often that in a big office you probably would not. Architecture requires that you serve your time gain experience and make mistakes. School does little to show you how the day to day business works. Only an office enviroment can.