I'm heavily considering majoring in Architecture.... any first hand insight would be greatly appreciated. Likes/dislikes of the profession?

I've researched quite extensivly, but all I get is numbers and facts... I would love to hear how it is from someone who actually does it.

Thanks in advance.

 

I was going to be an Architect, now I just deal with them everyday.

Certain traits I have noticed in them that makes them some of the better ones in the field are obviously an artistic flare.

I'm not sure where it comes from, but the majority of the Architects I deal with have an attitude, at first they appear to think they are better then everyone else, once you get to understand them, you find they are very passionate about what they do. It seems Architecture is not a half assed career, assuming you want to do some exciting things.

Knowledge of the latest software packages is very important. While most oldschool people are still doing it by hand, I'm seeing a big shift in the younger ones working in CAD

The other thing I've noticed is that its who you know. It is a very tight knit circle, and there is a lot of referals bouncing around.

hope that helps a little

 

Can't tell you much, i did take architectural drafting in high school for one year. But that was more because I knew the teacher and it was a VERY easy A. Expect a lot of Auto CAD work. Which i found to be extremely boring.

 

thanks for the info guys.

from my research, it seems the average income is around 50k, which, in today's economy, doesn't seem that fantastic. My fiance is going to be a gradeschool teacher, so I need a fairly substantial income to support her and me.

Oh well, thanks again guys.

 

It takes patience...A LOT OF IT!
As far as school goes...we used to joke about architecture as being "architorture".
Expect long hours in the studio, endless days with little sleep and harsh crits.
If you thought flaming on this board is bad....think again.

I would try to get a taste of it before getting into it, unless you are truely passionate about it.
Try to take a summer studio or something similar that will give you good feel for the profession.
*crash course drafting classes don't count*

Money is pretty tough. 50K is a salary for those experience about 4~5 years. There are exceptions.

Shoot me a pm if you have specific questions.

 

I agree with the other comments. I have an architecture degree but I am not a licensed architect. Like most other things, it is really hard to get a feel for what architecture school is like without actually doing it. Since it is so grueling, most people figure out if it's for them during the first year. It is one of those things that you really have to be passionate about in order to stick with it. As mindcore said, it's not a "half assed" career. But I love what I do so much it doesn't feel like "work" at all. Hope that helps. Feel free to PM if you've got more questions.

I just noticed you're in Eugene, OR. I went to the U of O. They do have a great architecture program.

 

Wow, thanks for the feedback guys.

I was just trying to get a feel for the profession, and based off what you guys said, I think I'll take an intro class and see how I like it.

I'm terribly torn right now, I feel like I'm floundering between what I would like to do.

I'm good with computers, so I'm thinking of something in the Computer Science feild, but I'm not sure specifically what. Other than that, I'm looking at Buisness, Journalism, or as mentioned, Architecture.

I currently attend the University of Oregon, but I could transfer anywhere that has a good program for whatever I want to do.

Again, thanks for all the input thus far.

 

If you like computers and have an interest for architecture...look into Carnegie Mellon University

 

I've heard that.

Honestly, I'd love to end up transfering to somewhere in Southern California to go to school.... I want to live there when I start my career, so I figure I might as well go to school there too....

 

not a bad idea