Overrated Career: Architect

Reader Comments
Back to article

The title of this article is valid, but it's content fails to explain why. I will attempt to explain why this profession fails to deliver. I can't really say that I regret studying architecture, however this profession has disappointed me regularly. Of course I've always heard people say "In architecture, it's all about paying your dues." Isn't that any and every profession? Nevertheless, I was always ready to work myself to the bone. I've worked two design jobs. The first was okay, but unfortunately the pay was lacking, when I was offered my second design job it came at a higher pay so naturally I took it. The level of professionalism at this firm was terrible, and even though I tolerated it, the principle made promises to his clients he was not able to keep and it cost people their jobs, mine included. Even though I've always been considered a model employee and have great references, I have no job, and the prospects of finding one dwindle with each day. This has left me evaluating the architectural profession and also prompted my journey on acquiring a second (non-architectural) degree. Generally speaking, one can attend medical school, dentistry school, law school, nursing school, engineering school, etc and (with adequate internship hours) become licensed right out of school. In architecture one must first be fortunate enough to find a job that will accommodate or have the right work for them to log thousands of internship hours and time to study for (and pass) 7 exams, before they can obtain a license. This is because architecture school does very little to prepare one for the profession, something I have found all architects (hating or loving their job) always agree on. Also, as one moves up these careers they will experience decent pay increases, with respect to each profession. For instance doctors usually pay more for their education, but they eventually get paid more in their profession (usually). This is not the case with architecture... well, maybe for a fortunate few it is. Architects spend a lot of money on their education, only to come out of school making deplorable starting salary. People I know are just barley making $30,000 a year. The AIA posted last year the average architecture student held around $40,000 of debt. I consider this misleading. I took a poll of my own, I found only a very small fraction of individuals carried this amount of debt. Many designers I spoke to are more on the $80,000-$100,000 spectrum (with graduate degrees, which is now becoming required for licensing purposes). I get it, "Architecture is a passion" "It's a way of life, not a job" etc, etc. I've heard them all. However, your passion only goes so far when you can't put food on the table. There are several more problems to address but I am running out of space. Having said all this, it kills me that I am unable to continue in this profession because I've been designing/drawing since I was 5. I love it but it didn't love me back. Time to move on.

Leo of MI 2:09AM March 01, 2013

I am currently a architectural designer/ project mangager at a small firm. Due to the size of the firm we often take on projects from beginning to end. We design, speak with clients, and coordinate with Engineers. I love what I do but I am not making a livable income. I am a leed associate but I don't have my masters degree and I do not know Revit as well as I know AutoCad. As I search for a new job I realize my skill set has become obsolete outside of my firm. Also, I know that this freedom to design doesn't exist for people like me with 4- 5 years experience. Everywhere I look companies want someone who is proficient in all the latest programs with ten years experience, LEED certified and a license. Most open positions for Intern Architect ask for 10 years exerience.The cost of starting NCARB, getting leed ap certified, getting my masters degree and taking all the test to get licensed does not seem worth it knowing that none of it will matter until I have twenty years of experience. While I attended school people warned me but I felt they were all pessimist and that my experience would be different. I was right and wrong in many different ways but the bottom line is we all need to eat. I wouldn't wish a career in Architecture on my worse enemy.

Mia of MD 12:45PM February 08, 2013

I want to guide the young souls here to make right decisions in life. Let me tell you my layoff stories.
2008
Case 1: Large firm, I did well for 3 months, no complaints. They did not have enough work. So, the core team crafted plans to lay off people. I would see people get yelled at in the corridors and then they would leave the firm saying they were going to follow another passion, taking long vacation etc., retire to the rocker etc.
In my case, for 2 weeks, they were doing their best to gather evidence, because they had none. They would find some seemingly stupid mistake, which if told to be could be a quick fix, and blow it out of proportion. They would try hard to find grammatical mistakes in my emails or say strange unheard of phrases to me and try to say that my English is not good. I was telling my husband that these people are upto something. Finally,one day they told me all these problems they had with me and laid me off. They crafted all this because they were ashamed that they had overhired and they were unable to secure more work for the firm . But instead of saying it like this, they try to make some of their employees look bad by crafting such stories. Then, I realized what was going on in the office that whole month. I wonder if these seniors ever think about their kids. What if someone does something like this to their kids, how would they like it?
2009
2 projects went on hold. One was completed. Firm honestly said they had no work for me and I had a layoff
I like the 2nd firm

Rosy Dreams of CA 4:24AM January 28, 2013

DO NOT BECOME AN ARCHITECT.
I am an architect. When I went into it, I knew it wasn't lucrative but it was a profession. Now, it isn't even a job. Architects have done the worst of any job at protecting their career. They sold off the engineering, landscape architecture, planning, lighting etc. to other professions. On top of that now much gets oursourced or done by draftsmen. This is of the little work that is left.
I have a master degree from a very good institution and expected to be treated with respect. But from the beginning I've found very little respect from bosses or clients. Now we have computers so my skill at actually being able to draw is not of value. Clients just say, "oh, doesn't the computer do that?" They seem to think computers have a design building button.
Also, it gets more and more demanding. You keep having to learn new programs. You really need to know AutoCAD, 3D Studio, Revit etc... Then you will need to get LEED certified which is another worthless hoop to jump through and expensive. What all this says is that people don't value architects.
On top of all this, you will spend money constantly to keep up your worthless credentials. NCARB is $600 a year. The AIA is expensive, LEED is expensive.
Being an architect was the worst decision I ever made. I'm in my 40s and now I'm looking for another career. I am probably going to tough it out and go to law school which will be hard with a family but there is just no way

Xu of NC 5:32PM January 06, 2013

I'm studying architecture in college now and this article sounds terrible, and so do most of the comments. Instead of degrading th field of architecture and the profession, try hosing the differences between mainstream media architects and real ones. All the "Architects" who keep on complaining about the career there's always that other option...........quit.

Nick of PA 5:00PM April 10, 2012

As an architect with 30 plus year experience, I have forbidden my children from entering the field. The egotism creates intolerable working conditions. Firms hire and fire by the job. Most jobs last a year or two at best. It is impossible unless you own the firm = to make enough money to support a family, buy a home, buy a car, or retire. There are 3 times as many people in the profession as there are jobs. Only time you get to design anything is if you recruit the client. I agree that most architects are treated like draftsmen, and that outsourcing work has severely impacted employment. The American Institute of Architects has done everything in its power to prevent change and adapting the profession to modern times. If you want a good paying job with a future become a structural engineer. Avoid Architecture like the plague. You'd be better off long term working in a grocery store.

MNS of FL 10:27PM July 24, 2011

@Real Architecture..
you are perfectly right here.
as being an architect myself, i perfectly know. the services part is handled by the engineers/ consultants, and architects just guide them to use it better ways, so that the building/ structure and the inner building environment perform in most sustainable manner.
architects not only can deal with the building's look, but they can create the environment and a mark.
here in the article the author has written 'more potential clients are off-shoring architecture jobs, downloading premade blueprints developed by top architects, or having lower-cost interior/exterior designers or building contractors design their structures.', but what would be the quality and the kind of look it gives is known just after one can see during building stage only. its like buying fake chinese gadgets by saying that the branded ones are similar to the chinese ones.
archietcts can also perform on large scale projects like town planning, and large scale housings also. its not the scope of an interior designers understand the scale of the project.
architecture is all about creativity, technicality and creation of built environment.
so, 'Aaron', dont be dissapoinetd by this perfectly misguided article. because no large scale companies buy those 'blueprints' to built a building for them. this is all fake.
and to the author, please dont misgyide people when you even dont know 'A' of Architecture.

Harsh Anjaria 4:43AM June 15, 2011

" such as the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system."
Architects do not design or draw these items, their design and drawing is performed by MEP engineersts. Also the three terms listed are essentially synonymous terms in building construction like saying you draw doors, hinged entry devices, and swinging partitions in stationary walls.
In the early stages 5-10 years of an architectural career, you will be working in teams and drawing and designing elements of a building of a design that was established conceptually by a partner in the office, and then developed by the team. Modern firms are very far away from the 60s-80s atelier style firms where your boss throws a sketch on your desk and you spend the next 2 weeks staying up all night to complete it.
Then, "interior designers recommend where a wall should go as well as the color scheme". Interior designers do not recommend wear walls go, they often select materials and furnishings and are much closer to interior decorators than architects.
Everything in this article is false about describing the architectural profession and obviously written by somebody whose knowledge of the world of architecture is defined by movies and literature and not reality. I hope this blazingly erroneous essay does not dissuade anyone from a creative career in the architectural community.

Real Architecture of NY 6:35PM April 17, 2011

Wow. i am a high school student and this report just crushed an ideal dream of mine. You see, i visited the taliesin west in Phoenix AZ and that structure is inspiration all in itself. I thought i might go to college and join the fellowship out there, and eventually open up my own firm where i design homes for the mere joy. Now i might turn to pursue and MD...

Aaron of NM 1:11PM April 07, 2011

yea it sucks, particularly Yea it sucks, particularly at the beginning. But it is not all drafting in the backroom. Your career will find its course, and there will be many interesting opportunities. I think, because career paths are so unpredictable, people get frustrated. They see only a certain slim segment of the upper tier “principals” and assume that there is a strict hierarchy. When in reality there are many people doing creative work in small settings, working in community development, teaching, administrating facilities, and venturing into creative tangents like decorative arts, furniture and digital design. Oh, and as an architect, you can practice interior design, but as an interior designer, you can’t practice architecture. Food for thought ….

Will of IL 10:03AM March 24, 2011