Jobs for the Major
How this major affects a job search
If you want to be an architect, you get a degree in architecture. It's not rocket science.
I mean, we literally just said it's architecture.
Getting your architecture degree alone won't score you a sweet job, but pairing it with an internship will definitely show employers that you're dedicated to the art of designing buildings. There are some skills that can only be learned on the job, and that's what you'll learn in internships.
Trust us, you'll want every advantage you can get your hands on, because we're coming to some unfortunate news pretty soon.
Architects have a harder time finding employment than just about everybody. There are plenty of hopeful architects and only a handful of new buildings that go up every year. It's just the way the industry is.
Of course, there are other jobs that are architecture-related that you could snag in the meantime. But we know you want to let your creations loose onto an unsuspecting city. To do so, you're going to need a lot of determination, patience, connections…and luck.
The good news is that when you do score a job as an architect, you'll make pretty good money. This doesn't mean you should go out and buy a Ferrari the day you get hired, but you definitely won't be going hungry.
Common Career Fields
Architectural Drafting. Drafting for a project means spending your time handling the tiny processes that get translated into the actual building. When people think of architecture montages, this is what comes to mind. Measuring, sketching, and more measuring.
They'll draw up the blueprints for the construction team to put to use, so it's extremely important that they're detail-oriented. Otherwise, they could end up with a pile of rubble on their hands instead of that sweet colonial-inspired mansion.
Construction Management. This field is one that has some overlapping majors in it. Although there are schools that offer majors and courses specifically for construction, architecture can get you in here, as well. As a construction manager, you'll be on site for the project you're working on, making sure everything's running smoothly. Although you'll spend a lot of your time supervising at the site, you'll also spend a good chunk of time in an office handling budgets and other paperwork.
Landscape Architecture. Instead of erecting the world's next amazing skyscraper, you could help create a fantastic landscape for people that like that sort of thing. This job can really bring out the beauty of a property, be it small (such as a home) or large (such as a university or golf course). You'll need to know how to handle a vast range of issues, from how the climate will affect different plants to how to alter the gradient of the earth below you. Having scissor hands may also come in handy.
Real Estate Appraisal. Remember when your parents used to yell at you for ruining the front yard after trying to dig up dinosaur fossils? It does actually bring down the value, though probably not as much as Dad said. Real estate appraisers are the folks who really know the extent of your youth-induced damage.
These professionals help buyers and sellers determine the worth of a property based on factors such as aesthetics and potential production. When trying to strike a deal, both sides will often hire their own appraiser to (hopefully) give them a number that's closer to their desired rate.
Software Development. Maybe when you're getting your degree, you decide you hate doing that pesky design work by hand and wish you could put all your energy into the computer. Well, we have good news: you can. The knowledge you gained in technology can be put towards a career in developing new software. Your hands-on experience using design programs will help you work towards improvements and fixing bugs.
Sustainable Design. To environmentalists these days, the construction of pretty much anything is like garlic to a vampire. Hiss. They see a road being erected in the middle of a forest and their hearts break for all the little chipmunks being evicted. Totally understandable, but development will never stop. Truth bomb. Luckily we have professionals that study sustainable design so they can mitigate potential environmental issues. They put their efforts into reducing the impact we have on Mother Earth. You'll be the darling of the production world in the eyes of environmentalists.
Urban Planning. Developing your knowledge of creating buildings and utilizing space can lead directly to a career in urban planning. These days, planning extends far beyond some guy saying, "We need a new town hall…let's build it here." Instead, we have urban planners to put their expertise to use by suggesting the elementary school not be directly across the street from the prison. They also focus on utilizing space to increase functionality within communities, so they're the people to thank when you can hit all your municipal needs on one street.
Current unemployment of the major
13.9% (Source)Percentage of majors who get a higher degree after college
32%Stats obtained from this source.