Architecture Life

3 Responses on Is it to late to become an Architect?

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  By Captain at August 18th, 2008

  It is never too late to get a degree, although you would be getting entry-level positions and likely working with people 15 years younger than yourself as co-workers.

  I can’t think of there being a problem, people are switching careers all the time now!

  If you really want to be sure, call up your prospective universities graduate placement centre (or career centre, whatever it is called) and ask them about your situation, as they work directly with businesses placing people, they would be more likely to know.

  Typically however, it is understood that “mature” students (people not straight out of highschool) are more dedicated and will work harder at their chosen program of study, and therefore be better equipped when they have graduated. You also likely have work experience, though not in the architecture field, that will assist you in making the transistion to the workplace.

  As far as a challenge, it is not easy and will require lots of work to do so. it is going to take you passing all the required courses to get a degree, and you should brush up in things like algebra, geometry, possibly calculus (to a HS level), as well as work on drafting and model-making as you will need to do all of those in the course of your studies.

  The best thing to do is ring up your prospective university and ask for their entry requirements list. Then meet with the program chair (or vice chair, or director of student personal or something) and ask them about what it will take, they can give you the full run-down for their specific program.

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  By spam juice at August 19th, 2008

  The bigger question is why you didn’t pursue your “passion” to be an architect at an earlier age. It’s never too late to do anything, the question is how much success will be within your grasp and how much sacrifice you are willing to endure. For that matter, what would be your definition of success. Assuming that you have a BA or BS from a University, it will take you at least 2.5 years to get a MArch. You still have to learn the software, building assemblies, codes, and material specifications that they don’t cover in school. You are married with a child, does that mean you can only work 40 hours/week? If so, you will not get far in this business. If you don’t believe me, then you have a lot to learn about this field.
  It all comes down to your definition of success, if all you want is to get a job in an architectural office, then you don’t need a degree to do that. You can get by with a CAD drafting associate course from a community college.
  The first thing that you should do is to really understand the profession as a business. It’s not pretty, but you rather find out now than after you spend time and money on a degree. Keep in mind that only a few architects actually do any real design work. So the majority of the time is spent talking with consultants and vendors on the phone.

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  By Shon at August 20th, 2008

  It certainly is a good time to become an Architect. You are obviously thinking about it now, so you can’t be overwhelmed with your family life. Getting a degree is only a physical representation to others of your commitment to doing what you want to do. If you want to be an architect there is no better time than now.

  If you wait until later, guess what, it never comes! You could start learning things on your own. If you get a program description from the school you are considering, then you have ageneral idea Architectural subjects are taught. Start searching those subjects online. Find out who has excelled in those areas, and maybe there are case studies. you could learn by example. What worked for them may work for you.

  I will tell you this. I remember seeing a long time ago, a documentary on the Discovery channel about a gentleman who was considered a visionary through the 70’s & 80’s in a certain architectural style. The man was very old and designed several of the stilt houses in the California Hills. I’ve also seen recently some modern engineering marvels, like the rotating skyscraper that is planned to be built in India.

  If you are interested, you could check these out.