Career in Architecture

kenmc

Hi there,

I am 26 years old with a good degree in Computer Science - I'm considering a career change, and since my only passion is architecture/property/interior design, I'm considering going back to college to study something related.

I would consider myself reasonably creative - and have a technical aptitude - but am not sure if I would have the imagination to be a fully blown architect. Is this something you can develop along the way? Also, I'm not sure if I could stick another 5 years of college ... I would definately consider 2 though, possibly 3.

I'd love to hear from anyone working in the business, and get some information on the various careers in that industry that might be down my alley. I would really like to take a Postgrad instead of another Batchelors degree, does anyone know of some type of conversion course that would at least get me into an Architects' firm?

Any tips etc would be much appreciated!
A-M

InFront

All I know is from personal experience and it might be outdated. But my parents had our house renovated about 4 years ago, the work that needed to be done to it was fairly extensive, and the architect they hired had some sort of qualifications, and was well regarded, but he didn't have an architecture degree.

Apparently all that you have to do to operate as an architect is to call yourself one. Maybe things have changed in the last few years, however. So what about going and doing a degree or diploma in Civ Eng?

AFAIU Architecture isnt a degree you could approach without an awful lot of time commitment, the architecture students that I know work incredibly hard, the difficulty of their degree seems on a par with medicine and other intense courses.

Your computer training will probably be a help to you in things like CAD, which all architects love:D

thesteve

I am pretty much the same situation and was thinking of Architectue aswell... then I looked at the points needed ust for reference and in the mid 500's for UL, I started thinking that it would be not so easy an area to get into...

kenmc

I think there are many ways of getting into the business if you're not too set on becoming a fully fledged Architect - you can do things such as Interior Architecture, Architectural technican etc ... its just trying to figure out what the difference is, and what skills are required and so on is my problem ..... would you be going back as a mature student? Do you already have a degree?

thegloriousend

I'm planning to go up to queens in September to study architecture. It's a three year course with point requirements a fair bit lower than in the south, (roughly 460pts) - this may be an option, however the vast majority go on to do a further few extra years.

AFAIU Architecture isnt a degree you could approach without an awful lot of time commitment, the architecture students that I know work incredibly hard, the difficulty of their degree seems on a par with medicine and other intense courses.

This is frightening, could you elaborate on the details regarding work load. Do they at least enjoy it? Is it mainly model work? - i could deal with that:)

thesteve

kenmc wrote:

would you be going back as a mature student? Do you already have a degree?

Ya I have a 1st class honours in IT&T... you can get too much of an IT office pretty fast...

InFront

thegloriousend wrote:

This is frightening, could you elaborate on the details regarding work load. Do they at least enjoy it? Is it mainly model work? - i could deal with that:)

Ah I don't mean to make it sound bad. I have a good few mates doing it (UCD), every architecture student I know loves the course, I don't know any architecture dropouts I'll put it that way. But I don't think it's something you could approach with out a real passion for it.

From personal experience, in UCD, the architects are known for being an extremely hardworking group of students compared to most others. Yes a lot of it seems to be model work/ project work, there's also this thing called CAD that they seem to have a hate hate relationship with! So while I don't think anyone would describe architecture as easy, if you have a passion for it and you work at it you shouldnt have any problems getting through:)

kenmc

Nobody is really answering my question - its not hard work I'm afraid of, its having to spend 5 years in college until i'm 31!

I'd like to know whether or not there is an alternative to getting a degree in order to work with an architect firm, such as architectural technology etc and how it differs from being a 'proper' architect.

I'd really like to hear from anyone who actually has done a course like this or who works with a firm ....

Cheers

thegloriousend

This may be of relevance to you: http://www.archiseek.com/content/showthread.php?t=5137

cinnamon

hi I'm a 30 year old mature student - I studied chemistry when I first went to college but I am going into my 2nd year of a 3 year ordinary degree in Interior Architecture. So dont feel bad about being in college 'til you're 31 - there's a 46 year old in my class!

Anyway it's the best decision I ever made - I also had an interest in interior design AND architecture and this course seems to quench my thirst for both, although increasingly I am veering more towards the architectural side of it.

I would suggest you have a real desire for what you want to do because it is an extremely time-consuming course and you need to put the work in to get the grades.

Here is an overview of what we undertook in 1st year (plus Architecture students talk about their course)

PS I know some INt Architects and some work as Arch Technicians in arch offices

thegloriousend

Here is an overview of what we undertook in 1st year (plus Architecture students talk about their course)

Well I found that very interesting, thanku

thesteve

cinnamon wrote:

hi I'm a 30 year old mature student - I studied chemistry when I first went to college but I am going into my 2nd year of a 3 year ordinary degree in Interior Architecture. So dont feel bad about being in college 'til you're 31 - there's a 46 year old in my class!

Anyway it's the best decision I ever made - I also had an interest in interior design AND architecture and this course seems to quench my thirst for both, although increasingly I am veering more towards the architectural side of it.

I would suggest you have a real desire for what you want to do because it is an extremely time-consuming course and you need to put the work in to get the grades.

Here is an overview of what we undertook in 1st year (plus Architecture students talk about their course)

PS I know some INt Architects and some work as Arch Technicians in arch offices

Thanks for the great info. I wouldlove to go down the same road but one question keeps coming up, how can you support yourself while going back as a mature student? Going through University the first time I had part time jobs and the support of parents if needed... Coming down from a well paid job to go back to University is tough, even if it will result in a happier work environment in the end...

cinnamon

thesteve wrote:

Thanks for the great info. I wouldlove to go down the same road but one question keeps coming up, how can you support yourself while going back as a mature student? Going through University the first time I had part time jobs and the support of parents if needed... Coming down from a well paid job to go back to University is tough, even if it will result in a happier work environment in the end...

Yes I am finding it really tough financially. I have moved back to my parents house (not easy but cheaper-they dont have a mortgage) but i worked part time during college last year. I have to pay fees so I am working at the moment to save them up. Basically I have no social life as I am in debt, but I hope it will be worth it in the end!

I would suggest saving as much money as you can now as you will prob have to pay fees. Actually the best advice I could give is to sign on the dole for 6 months prior to going to college - you are allowed keep your allowance while at college, you will also get a grant for your textbooks AND you can work part time (as far as I know). I have a friend doing this and she is laughing - she gets a rent allowance on top of this.