Any Architects on Board?

My sister did architecture in undergrad and grad in 4 years, she was very good and got in with some of the top firms. Ultimately, she found it was very unsatisfying in that her designs were always being "destroyed" to cut costs, or in appeasing somebody who knew nothing about design from the client side. She felt like a cog in a machine, the very opposite reason one might get into architecture. She got out of architectural design and got into sustainability advising with a LEED certification, and is now the director of operations of Brightworks in SF. Still though, she's always under pressure and it's difficult finding people who care enough about going "green" that they're willing to add a single dollar onto initial costs, despite the ROI.

While not an architect myself, I worked at one of the largest architecture firms in the world for about 4 years in the late 90's. Most of the architects seemed unhappy in that every one of them wanted to be a designer but for about 95% of them, all they designed was where the urinal went in the basement men's room. On top of that, the pay sucked and the hours were terrible (lots of nights and weekends). Most of them wished they had never gotten into the field to begin with. Do not recommend without serious research beforehand.

Don’t do it! Its one of the most un-appreciated professions out there; unless you have true passion and remarkable skill you will hate your job within the first year. Also Arch school is a true pain in the ass and you will not finish it unless you have the passion and sill I already mentioned. I spent thousands of dollars on materials, books and tools (on top of the tuition), stayed up doing overnights at least twice a week and lost touch with the world for a few years. No one knows what architecture truly is until they go through the experience; when people hear what I do, they whistle in respect and admiration but they really have no idea. It’s a profession with a certain "aura" around it but to be truly successful and happy as an architect you MUST have your heart in it. Be ready for long hours, low pay, insane and stupid clients, contractors, vendors, interior designers and abusive bosses who will expect you to put in crazy amount of work, because if you won’t, they will find a fresh grad that has no choice but to do it. Think long and hard before you go to Arch school!

One of the few professions where being the secretary may be a more desirable and better paid position.

Why? What is it that draws you to architecture?
By the way, even the very best architecture schools are NOTHING like the profession and are generally poor preparation for the field; being seduced by architecture school is not a good position from which to make a decision.

In any case, finish b-school first. There is no reason to give up a degree halfway through...you can always try architecture school in a couple of years.


Or, as in the case of one of our locals, one interviews for the position of secretary; boss rejects candidacy but invites candidate to dinner; boss and candidate marry, become millionaires, meet US Presidents, world leaders, Hollywood stars, etc....

A degree in both can come in useful.

nvm

I too, wanted to be an architect. I figure I'll get my architecture jollies by designing my own house in 20 odd years. (Well... the big picture ideas.... I'll get a real architect to do the important stuff)

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008...-architecture/

Man, I'll gladly except that stereotype. You know what is the coolest thing in the world? Looking at ancient works and ancient architecture. I'm serious, it gives me a high. If I could find a job in a museum that didn't force me to take on the debt of another 6-years of schooling, I would. Architecture is basically functional art, on a giant scale. And the older, the better. (Or at least cooler)

I'm sad to read this.

No, do not put the idea to rest: amplify it, cultivate it, try to reinforce it with direct experience. But do not use it as an escape from your current reality. Rather, try to integrate it into reality. Doing so will force you to focus your thoughts on both fields and others more clearly.

Of course you know this (these are all clichès) but you need to find what you are most passionate about, and try to pursue that. All fields come with doldrums, I'm sure. The effort is to not let these doldrums then revise your original dreams and intentions. If you are truly passionate about architecture it will come, because you will naturally allow it to do so.

However, again, this is no reason to abandon your current degree path, unless you absolutely despise it and see no future at all in it. In fact, I would advise that completing your current degree might be the first step in proving to yourself that you do indeed have the discipline to pursue the (difficult and often frustrating, challenging, but also rewarding) path of architecture.

In either case, please, try to curb the drinking. That is a slow killer no matter the field.

Again, I apologize for the clichès; I hope that some of what I am trying to say comes through despite them.