Should I go back to be an architect?

dkelly95

Hi all, so I'm currently a third year apprenticein carpentry but I'm strongly considering as soon as I finish the apprenticeship go back to college as a mature student and do architecture. Always had an interest in it and been thinking about it for years now. I'm very on the fence about it as I'm unsure if I'll really like it, there's massive commitment involved and then not sure if I'll even like it or will there be much work? Like I enjoy designing/building houses, from start to finish- planning, design, obstacles etc.. Should I go with it? Or is there anything similar that requires less hardship eg civil engineering or something like that.
I also have a certificate in Revit Architecture which i enjoyed doing which might help.
Thanks for reading and look forward to your feedback.

Gumbo

Less hardship...Civil Engineering


Do what you enjoy.

sydthebeat

have you 5 or 6 to give towards education?

Calahonda52

kceire wrote: »

Less hardship...Civil Engineering


Do what you enjoy.

Yep the made me smile after 45 years of it.
the other thing I noted
there's massive commitment involved

OP: Life is not like watching TV, its actually interactive.

dkelly95

sydthebeat wrote: »

have you 5 or 6 to give towards education?

Thats only an issue if I start and dont like it

dkelly95

kceire wrote: »

Less hardship...Civil Engineering


Do what you enjoy.

Would you mind explaining that a small bit, obviously big commitment involved in becoming an architect but would civil be the right choice for what I want in your opinion, based on what I've said so far.

Thanks for the reply.

sydthebeat

dkelly95 wrote: »

Thats only an issue if I start and dont like it

no thats not what i mean.... what i mean is it could take you 6 years, even 7, before you could become a fully qualified architect (part 1, 2 and 3)

so the question is (and in the case of a mature student somewhat pertinent, depending on personal circumstances)...

do you have that time to devote to education???

dkelly95

sydthebeat wrote: »

no thats not what i mean.... what i mean is it could take you 6 years, even 7, before you could become a fully qualified architect (part 1, 2 and 3)

so the question is (and in the case of a mature student somewhat pertinent, depending on personal circumstances)...

do you have that time to devote to education???

Ah yes sorry, thought you meant money:P
Yeah thats one of my main concerns, I'll be 25 when i start so I'll be 30+ before i finish which is what I'm worried about. Thats why i was wondering of any alternatives. Can a builder design/ sign off on new builds or does it have to be an engineer/architect?

YFlyer

dkelly95 wrote: »

Hi all, so I'm currently a third year apprenticein carpentry but I'm strongly considering as soon as I finish the apprenticeship go back to college as a mature student and do architecture. Always had an interest in it and been thinking about it for years now. I'm very on the fence about it as I'm unsure if I'll really like it, there's massive commitment involved and then not sure if I'll even like it or will there be much work? Like I enjoy designing/building houses, from start to finish- planning, design, obstacles etc.. Should I go with it? Or is there anything similar that requires less hardship eg civil engineering or something like that.
I also have a certificate in Revit Architecture which i enjoyed doing which might help.
Thanks for reading and look forward to your feedback.

Any of the UL architect students working in the industry?

sydthebeat

dkelly95 wrote: »

Ah yes sorry, thought you meant money:P
Yeah thats one of my main concerns, I'll be 25 when i start so I'll be 30+ before i finish which is what I'm worried about. Thats why i was wondering of any alternatives. Can a builder design/ sign off on new builds or does it have to be an engineer/architect?

No, builders cannot.

engineer / architect / surveyor can once registered.....

architectural technician can also in some circumstances

Gumbo

dkelly95 wrote: »

Would you mind explaining that a small bit, obviously big commitment involved in becoming an architect but would civil be the right choice for what I want in your opinion, based on what I've said so far.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm laughing at your opinion that Civil Engineering is less hardship.

dkelly95 wrote: »

Can a builder design/ sign off on new builds?

Generally speaking and in 99.99999% of my sites, no.

Building Surveyors are also on the list of Assigned Certifiers.

sydthebeat

^

nice ninja edit

El Tarangu

dkelly95 wrote: »

Yeah thats one of my main concerns, I'll be 25 when i start so I'll be 30+ before i finish which is what I'm worried about.

OP, I started going to night classes to study for another degree in my late-twenties (which I know is a little different as I can continue working the day job). I'll tell you this much: it's a lot easier for me to find time to do all the coursework than it is for the lads who are married and have kids. So, better to go for it while you are still young and (I'm assuming here) have fewer responsibilities.

ravendude

Just do it.

I think one should always feel OK about themselves even if they give something a decent shot and it doesn't work out. There are no guarantees in life. Looking back thinking about what might have been because you didn't give it a go is much worse IMO.

6 years will fly. As Nike say, - Sometimes you have to "just do it".

Effects

I know a guy who started when he was 28. He never regretted it. He was lucky enough to have a family firm to work in afterwards though.
It's a long course, but you have a lot of time left in life anyway, so make it work if you can.

dieseldog

The Building Surveying course in Dundalk IT is a 4 years Honours level 8 degree. 100% employment at present with a good starting salary and high demand. You can specialise in design, planning, fire engineering, conservation, commercial/domestic surveys, legal matters such as accidents or leasing and many other options. You can get registered after 2 years of relevant employment and become a design/assigned certifier and sign your life away. You can also register with the SCSI and do your APC to become a Chartered Building Surveyor.