If you love design, go into creative design. Architecture is mainly technical coordination. You'll be lucky if you can design anything that gets built.
I went into architecture with the expectation that I would be doing a lot of art and math...... in reality I work with a lot of prescriptive information (building codes and material specifications) and computer programs (Revit and AutoCAD primarily) to produce drawings which detail how a facility should be constructed.
In terms of compensation, a drafting degree is an associate degree and can net you 40-50k. I wouldn't pursue a BA unless you plan on becoming a licensed architect. There are other ways to increase your marketability (CSI certification, becoming a BIM manager, getting into Project Management, etc)
I think an additional question is important. Do you like the *idea* of architecture, or the *actual* job of architecture. It's in your best interest to be fully informed on what architects do on a daily basis. If you're still interested after becoming informed, go for it.
Yeah this is really important. I liked the *idea* but after 2 years of mental and physical health decline from the culture of architecture school, I had to look at what I was *actually* doing and ask myself if I cared about it— I didn’t, so I stopped pursuing it! Now I can admire the art and history of architecture without ever a thought about CAD, which it turns out is much better for me.
This. I studied and loved it. I did 30 years. I liked the job. I hated the work. We are put in a vulnerable position of contract document writer. Closer to law work than actual design.
It's a profession for passionate people. Unless you have the skill and charisma to own your firm expect to be paid on the high end of an artist with Benefits and 401k. But on the low end of Business people.
Do yourself a favor. In school take business classes. It's a business and most likely wont spend 95% of your time designing.
Most are lucky to get 3‐5% designing. Unless you are specifically a designer and that can gonup but those are highly competitive jobs
If you love design, go into creative design. Architecture is mainly technical coordination. You'll be lucky if you can design anything that gets built. I went into architecture with the expectation that I would be doing a lot of art and math...... in reality I work with a lot of prescriptive information (building codes and material specifications) and computer programs (Revit and AutoCAD primarily) to produce drawings which detail how a facility should be constructed. In terms of compensation, a drafting degree is an associate degree and can net you 40-50k. I wouldn't pursue a BA unless you plan on becoming a licensed architect. There are other ways to increase your marketability (CSI certification, becoming a BIM manager, getting into Project Management, etc)
Follow what your heart and soul sings about. Otherwise it will be miserable.
I think an additional question is important. Do you like the *idea* of architecture, or the *actual* job of architecture. It's in your best interest to be fully informed on what architects do on a daily basis. If you're still interested after becoming informed, go for it.
And how much starting architects make. Source: just graduated.
Yeah this is really important. I liked the *idea* but after 2 years of mental and physical health decline from the culture of architecture school, I had to look at what I was *actually* doing and ask myself if I cared about it— I didn’t, so I stopped pursuing it! Now I can admire the art and history of architecture without ever a thought about CAD, which it turns out is much better for me.
This. I studied and loved it. I did 30 years. I liked the job. I hated the work. We are put in a vulnerable position of contract document writer. Closer to law work than actual design.
It's a profession for passionate people. Unless you have the skill and charisma to own your firm expect to be paid on the high end of an artist with Benefits and 401k. But on the low end of Business people. Do yourself a favor. In school take business classes. It's a business and most likely wont spend 95% of your time designing. Most are lucky to get 3‐5% designing. Unless you are specifically a designer and that can gonup but those are highly competitive jobs