Choosing a carrier is not an easy thing to do, you need to go through a rather long journey before you can be called a professional in a certain field.
If you are interested in being an architect, planning the education and looking for a job that coordinates with the degree would be two of the important steps. Learn more about what do architects do, how they do their job, and how to get an architecture degree.
A. What is An Architect?
An architect plans and designs buildings and manages the constructions of it. According to The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards of the United States, the architectural profession is defined by a licensed professional who has been trained in art and science.
They construct structures and create the aesthetic look of buildings to provide shelter. In doing their job, architects must concern about the function, safety, and the needs of the people who use the buildings. Furthermore, the architect has to build the construction by considering the public’s health, and welfare.
Therefore, a license and experience are at the baseline of a professional architect. Besides that, many other qualities that should be acquired by an architect such as presenting ability, a capability to make a hand-drawn sketch, and skills with the latest design software.
A degree in architecture can be earned through a four to five year of college specialized in architecture studies or construction.
B. What Can You Do with an Architecture Degree?
An architecture degree sure takes a long time to achieve. Between those four to five years studying, you might have finished some projects in finding your architecture style. Getting a degree in Bachelor of Architecture would bring suitable and high-earning jobs especially when you are passionate about it.
C. What Are the Job Possibilities for an Architect?
One of the perks of being an architect is that you can work in a design firm, create an architect team, or independently work on projects. The myriad of possibilities of job descriptions are also yours to choose:
1. Architecture Interns
Bachelor of Architecture fresh graduates with less than five years of experience can start working as an intern in an architecture company. Because interns are lack of experience, they may do the job of a drafter, helping the work of senior architects.
Though the interns seem to do small jobs, this phase is what makes the skill and personal quality of an architect. Most of the professional architects spend 40-hours of job a week for three to five years before they can step on the next “level.”
2. Specification Writer
The job of a specification writer deals much with words and description. In a project, the design and blueprint should have the details of materials for each structure—from the construction to the type of paint that is used. Sometimes, the specification can go as far as detailing the brands of the materials. This architecture job is usually assigned to experienced architects.
3. Firm Architects
Whether the architect is working in a small or large firm, there would be a team so that the architecture jobs can be distributed. There is a principal architect who mainly led the team and plans the design. This position is usually taken by the senior architect who has a profitable network and mostly brings in the projects.
The rest of the team may consist of a drafter, site and material researcher, specification writer, and production persons. Smaller firms may have a double job description for some architects, and larger firms tend to divide the job to keep it more professional proportionally. The firm would have a complete implementation of what do architects do.
4. Independent Architect
This type of architecture job may be more exhausting than the others. Working independently would mean that the architect does all the job from pitching the project, negotiating the price, planning, and design, to the production and after-project service.
Though the amount of job would be various, the independent architects work with their design and working ideal. Not to mention that the value of the project would be bigger because it is not shared. When you start your day job by working independently on projects, you may hire freelance or part-time staff. There is also a possibility that you create your small or even large architecture firm in the future.
D. How Much Do Architects Make?
After learning the introduction to what do architects do, you must be curious about how much do architects make. The architecture jobs always seem to be involving important projects and clients, so the amount of money that they earn should also be fantastic.
The rate of an architect depends on the experience and the location. In 2018, the average yearly pay for an architect is around $59,548. The senior architect who has more than 20 years of experience can earn as much as $200 per hour or an annual pay of $87,000. The numbers seem pretty large, but note that your quality plays an essential role in how much you earn.
An intern or a junior project manager can have between $45,000 and $60,000 per year. Particularly for independent or sole architects, the earning would depend on the projects and how they negotiate the price with the clients. Some say that being an independent architect would be a more flexible option.
However, you need to know that the process of project engagement itself is a complex practice. In this case, the experience would be your best teacher.
E. Do You Plan to Be an Architect?
As one of the high-paying profession in the country, architecture jobs may be interesting especially for the millennials. However, as mentioned above, there are plenty of skills that a person needs to possess besides the formal education in architecture. What do architects do is not only consist of drawing and designing, many technical and mathematical aspects should be researched and understood.
