I just graduated from a 5 year program at LSU and got my bachelors degree in Architecture. I have since hit a standstill in the direction of life I am heading. I hate to say this, but I am not 100% on being an architect. I know that's not good especially after paying for college for 5 years. Although, why spend anymore life on something I am not sure about. Is it crazy to be 23yrs old and not know what you really want to do in life? So, I have been doing a lot of thinking. First, let me give you my positives and negatives on why I don't see myself in the architecture field my whole life.
Negatives on ARCH Life:
- I HATE 40+ hours on the computer (I know revit, worked in an office, HATE DRAFTING)
- Hate all the liability and stress ( Seems like more than half the 40 year old architects I work with hate their job)
- Pay (Seems like everyone bitches about the amount work that yields to still low pay)
- People expect too much from architects
- Its not a very social job
-MOST OF ALL: Just the amount of time looking at computer/ and Redlines
- Most kids dont get to design from what I have seen
- Alot of architects think they are GOD
Positives on ARCH Life:
-Love being creative
-Love problem solving
-Love heading and managing a group
-Love design
-Love seeing a project come to life
-Love drawing/rendering design
- I do enjoy understanding the details
-Love working from big picture to small detail (The changing of scales)
-Love selling a project/idea
Now, I am going to give you what I want in a JOB/CAREER:
-****SOCIAL****(I love meeting new people, I love developing relationships, I love talking)
I find this being most important, I love being social
-CREATIVE ( I love design )
-On the MOVE ( I rather be on the move all day instead of sitting at a computer)
- Problem Solving (I love figuring out complex problems)
-SALES ( I love selling an idea/project)
-Managing (I love managing and motivating people)
-Money ( I am guilty of $$$ hungry, but I do want to retire on a beach one day if possible)
I graduated with a 3.57GPA and finished 6/24 people in my class. I am a hardworker, and I am motivated to find my career. I also truly believe that I have the skill sets and mindset to be good at a lot of things.
Here are some ideas and other careers I've been thinking about:
-Construction Management ( did a designbuild project, loved it all, even being on site everyday laboring)
-Real Estate Development ( Kind of the opposite of Sustainable Architecture, which i enjoy so much)
I like the idea of risk/reward, managing a whole project, and being in a more social career
-Sales (Prob some kind of material rep)
I have also been considering getting a masters. These are the 3 programs i am considering:
-1 year Tulane: Sustainable Coastal Real Estate Development Program
-2 Year Clemson: Real Estate and Finance Program
-2 Year LSU: Masters in Construction Management
Short term plan for now:
Work in a firm for at least a year, start working towards being a licensed architect.
Conclusion:
I have only worked in one office. It was small with about 18 people. I was quite the revit/CAD monkey. I liked the people, but the older project architects really didn't give me an encouraging outlook on how the life of an architect is. The only people who looked like they enjoyed their life were the 2 principle architects who came in at 9 and left at 3. I need advice, I need help, I need guidance.
Please if you have and advice, even if it has nothing to do with architecture, please share.
Thank You,
Clemson Carl
GO TIGERS! LETS BRING THE NATTY BACK TO CLEMSON!!!
Negatives on ARCH Life:
- I HATE 40+ hours on the computer (I know revit, worked in an office, HATE DRAFTING)
- Hate all the liability and stress ( Seems like more than half the 40 year old architects I work with hate their job)
- Pay (Seems like everyone bitches about the amount work that yields to still low pay)
- People expect too much from architects
- Its not a very social job
-MOST OF ALL: Just the amount of time looking at computer/ and Redlines
- Most kids dont get to design from what I have seen
- Alot of architects think they are GOD
Positives on ARCH Life:
-Love being creative
-Love problem solving
-Love heading and managing a group
-Love design
-Love seeing a project come to life
-Love drawing/rendering design
- I do enjoy understanding the details
-Love working from big picture to small detail (The changing of scales)
-Love selling a project/idea
Now, I am going to give you what I want in a JOB/CAREER:
-****SOCIAL****(I love meeting new people, I love developing relationships, I love talking)
I find this being most important, I love being social
-CREATIVE ( I love design )
-On the MOVE ( I rather be on the move all day instead of sitting at a computer)
- Problem Solving (I love figuring out complex problems)
-SALES ( I love selling an idea/project)
-Managing (I love managing and motivating people)
-Money ( I am guilty of $$$ hungry, but I do want to retire on a beach one day if possible)
I graduated with a 3.57GPA and finished 6/24 people in my class. I am a hardworker, and I am motivated to find my career. I also truly believe that I have the skill sets and mindset to be good at a lot of things.
Here are some ideas and other careers I've been thinking about:
-Construction Management ( did a designbuild project, loved it all, even being on site everyday laboring)
-Real Estate Development ( Kind of the opposite of Sustainable Architecture, which i enjoy so much)
I like the idea of risk/reward, managing a whole project, and being in a more social career
-Sales (Prob some kind of material rep)
I have also been considering getting a masters. These are the 3 programs i am considering:
-1 year Tulane: Sustainable Coastal Real Estate Development Program
-2 Year Clemson: Real Estate and Finance Program
-2 Year LSU: Masters in Construction Management
Short term plan for now:
Work in a firm for at least a year, start working towards being a licensed architect.
Conclusion:
I have only worked in one office. It was small with about 18 people. I was quite the revit/CAD monkey. I liked the people, but the older project architects really didn't give me an encouraging outlook on how the life of an architect is. The only people who looked like they enjoyed their life were the 2 principle architects who came in at 9 and left at 3. I need advice, I need help, I need guidance.
Please if you have and advice, even if it has nothing to do with architecture, please share.
Thank You,
Clemson Carl
GO TIGERS! LETS BRING THE NATTY BACK TO CLEMSON!!!
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