What is architecture like?

rick12
Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:48:54 +0000

Rhia, Civil Engineers plan roads, infrastructure, the grading and flow of roads through a site, etc. Architects design buildings. Studying engineering involves two years of intense math, physics, chemistry, statics, etc., followed by a couple of years in which you study the application of these to engineering. In architecture you start out with design studio and it will remain the core of your education throughout your college career.

The life of an architect varies tremendously. I know architects who are on a plane every other week to China, and others who do residential work who never even have to get on a plane. It’s up to the kind of practice you choose to join. If you join a big international firm then tell them you don’t want to travel it will definitely affect your career advancement.

The work pattern involves pretty intense hours when you first come out of school, tapering off as you gain more experience. Dinner every night at Home with the family? That’s pretty ambitious with any job, but spending most nights at home is not unrealistic. My wife managed to raise three happy kids while serving as a principal in our office. There are two things that I think are critical for a woman to have successful combination of architecture and family life;

1- A husband who not only supports, but encourages her growth as a professional.

2- Live as close to the office as possible. When our kids were in elementary school we lived one mile from both the elementary school and the office. We rarely missed a concert, parent teacher conference, or soccer game.

Good luck,
rick