Would Architecture be a worthwhile career to pursue?

Question

Right now, I'm in the 8th grade and have absolutely no idea what I would want to take up as a career later in life.

I've considered culinary arts since I like to cook, however, the last time I tried to cook a full meal for my family, I almost set the kitchen on fire(long story). I've also considered law, but I does seem to be a difficult and boring field.

However, I have thought about architecture and building design. I am interested in this kind of thing, but is it a worthwhile career?

Answer 1

I was looking into this area also, I liked mapping buildings on grid paper, but don't consider it unless you don't mind math, and long hours of drawing and math. Just remember, its your fault if a building falls :P

Answer 2

That's what I wanted to be from 5-15 years old, and I also enjoy cooking. However, now I'm looking into business.

Architecture is a good career though. Things you need to know about it:
1. The college degree is almost alway 5-6 years.
2. It's good if you are creative, yet in a geometric kind of way.
3. You'll need to learn to be comfortable with CAD (computer aided design) programs because in the modern days things are shifting from paper to computers.

I've played around a little with CAD. It takes a while to learn well, so it takes perserverance and practice, but it's fun to do and it's rewarding to look back at the final product and see your good work.

If you do end up doing this, your goal should be to end up owning your own architecture business. The money is best there.

Answer 3

Certainly it is. And it is of great value to society.

But you should understand that most architects do not become the great independent geniuses like Frank Lloyd Wright. Most architects are on large staffs at firms that more often design low income housing for governments, as well as hospitals and other non glamorous projects. The single largest customer of architectural firms is probably the federal government. When Congress wants to spend, times can be good. When the funding stops, the projects dry up.

This is not to discourage you, but to help you to put things in perspective. Architecture is like many professions in that the job can be quite different than its appearance from the outside.

Answer 4

Good for you to already be seeking out options. (I'm the mom of a teen boy, just so you know.)
Architecture is an awesome and noble profession. Find some way in your city to contact a firm, or go through your school guidance counselor, maybe they will let you visit, or go shadow an architect for a day. In the meantime, do more research - maybe there is an affiliated career too - like project engineer, or maybe just straight design or CAD - computer aided design. Lots of careers open to you. Good luck.

Answer 5

because your in 8th grade you'll probably change your mind a few more times before you finish school. Try not to feel obligated to figure out what you have to do with your whole life right now. Try a bunch of different things, read up on different careers and what you have to do to get into that field.
I was interested in architectural engineering when I was in grade 12, and had applied and been accpted into school, then completely changed my mind a few months before the semester started and now I'm doing Animation - go figure.
Dont stress out about it too much yet.

Answer 6

If you like to design things, become an engineer. Consider almost any kind of engineer (except maybe civil) will probably make more over their career than an architect. Architecture is one of those fields w/ a lot of "prestige" that doesn't necessarily come w/ a lot of pay. That being said, if you can become one of the absolute best at almost anything, you will be well paid.

Answer 7

It's hard for another person to answer about what would be the best career for someone else. But I can point you in the direction of some websites to find out more about these careers.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a very reliable source. It is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and is available online at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ . You can search for a job and it gives you all kinds of information like working conditions, training needed, job outlook, earnings, etc.

You can also use the O*Net website at http://online.onetcenter.org/ . You can search for a specific job or you can do a "skills search" where you select the skills that you have and it suggests career paths for you.

Answer 8

If you enjoy it, it's worthwhile.