question for architects or ppl with knowledge about an architect's lifestyle?

Question

I am still deciding whether to study architecture or biochemistry. I already studied one year of architecture and just recentally changed to biochem. I changed to biochemistry because I heard that a lot of architects have stresssful lifesyles, such as dealing with unhappy clients, starting a firm, getting drawings approved by the city, getting things patented, and working on multiple projects with deadlines. I'm not complaining, I just feel that being an architect will prohibit me from having an ordinary social life. I'm also crazy about science, but these two things are hand and hand. My question is throughout an architect's career, what are they most likely going to design? Rooms and houses? have multiple professors that became teachers because they couldn't deal with the life as an architect.

Answer 1

Architecture work is very stressful. The school load alone is very demanding and that is before internship and, eventually, practice.

As far as what an architect will design, it is purely a matter of skill and luck. Some architects will be designing houses for the rest of their lives. Others will gain some popularity, hopefully in a justified way, and build office buildings and libraries and museums, but this is obviously a very small minority of architects. According to the AIA the average architect's salary is $50,000-60,000; Nothing to sneeze at, but all the same your salary will depend on your skill and luck, which are basically set to begin with.

I would recommend biochem if you are looking for a career with more promises. Architectural asthetics are obviously subjective and not everyone is going to like your work. If you make a breakthrough in biochem, on the other hand, you are dealing with hard scientific facts that can not be so easily/whimsically criticized.

I am going into architecture because I want to do low-cost housing. Not the most glamour filled approach, but I am not doing it for money. It is going to be hard, but I am willing to survive it. If you love and are good at both, architecture will definitely be more unpredictable. Best of luck with your decision.

Answer 2

Sucess in any field requires the sacrifice of ones social life to a degree. If your main concern is for your social life, I'd suggest majoring in event planning or something else that is part and parcel with maintaining in social circles. You're young and bright. Architecture can be stressful but is very rewarding in many ways. Be successful FIRST. There will be plenty of time for a social life AFTER you're a millionaire.