<p>For those of you going into architecture, why do you want to enter this profession, and for those already practicing architects, why did you choose architecture and do you have any regrets?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I actually find it kind of ridiculous that 17 and 18 years olds all over the world have to be able to indentify their passion at such an early age. HOWEVER, I know I’m going into architecture because I was drawing floor plans on blue construction paper since I was 6. Hahaha, it’s one of the FEW interests of mine that is NOT a passing fad. :)</p>
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<p>Actually this is not the case here in the US. In fact, huge numbers of students enter BA programs with undeclared majors and in fact, even if they declare or intend to major in something, they change their mind once in college. That is the beauty of a liberal arts education. A 17 or 18 year old is NOT expected to commit to a major field of study upon entering college. Part of college is exploring many fields that one can’t even study in high school and then finding a focus. </p>
<p>There are some degree programs where there IS a commitment ahead of time. A BArch degree is such a path. Same with engineering and nursing degree programs. Same with some programs in the arts. And others. </p>
<p>I have two college aged kids. One of mine was not ready to commit to her field at age 17, though had some direction and a possibility of a major but didn’t want to enter a professional degree program and preferred a liberal arts path. She is going into architecture and is in a BA in Architectural Studies program and will go onto a MArch degree program. I have another kid who was certain of her field of study and career path and has known what she has wanted to do from a very young age. In her case, her area of passion is one she had been immersed in her whole life, unlike her sister who didn’t really get to study architecture much until college and so could not be certain. My other kid is in a BFA program in Musical Theater. Neither path is better, in my opinion. But the options to enter BA programs without a commitment to know your major exists and for others who are certain of their path/passion, there are professional degree programs on the undergraduate level. So, I have one who has known her passion for a field from a young age and another one who has explored it over time and became commited to it early in her college career.</p>
<p>By the way, not all passions are related to fields of study and careers. My arch kid has been a passionate ski racer her whole life but it is not a field she is studying or going into as a career. She is pursuing that in college as well, however. It so happens that my other kid’s lifelong passion IS a field of study and career for her.</p>
<p>Also, my kid who is in Architecture, had several passions over the years and she pursued them all and not one singular passion. In fact, one of her college essays had to do with balancing her several interests and passions. One attraction of architecture is that it combines several areas.</p>
<p>I think that this is a rather hard question to answer. babuska- for me, I am entering architecture because when I thought of all the possible things one can pursue-- architecture was at the top of my list. I also believe in my abilities enough to know that I can succeed in architecture. I don’t think floor plans or cad drawings have a lot to do with wanting to artistically create- for me it is more the aspect of design—anyone could draw a floor plan if you showed them how, only a few can obtain that transcending artistic vision.</p>
<p>I went to a university art program as a junior in high school and realized I didn’t have the mental stamina for pure art. I chose the next best thing, art with plumbing.</p>
<p>Tzar, when you get to architecture school, you’ll need to research the few architects who created a ‘transcending’ vision. It’s an extremely rare occurrence and when it does happen, it’s at the end, rather than the start of a career.</p>
<p>As a young architect or young student, you are looking to create a transcending moment or two. The ability to manipulate space by designing in two dimensions is critical to your success-and far more difficult than you might imagine. You will boost that skill by working back and forth in model form.</p>
<p>On the other hand, 3D software like Catia is the future of architecture and construction. Hopefully your school gives you the opportunity to learn Catia.</p>
<p>Babuska…I’m not a student and not an architect. I’ll just offer a little perspective as a parent of a student who chose architecture and what drew it to her initially as a high school student contemplating the direction she might pursue in college and beyond…</p>
<p>I think one thing that appealed to her about architecture was how it combined several of her talents, skills and interests, as it is a mulitdisciplinary field. She was always strong in technical areas and theory, but also is a creative thinker and designer. Architecture not only uses those talents and sklls but involves history, culture, and the environment, all which also interest her. Architecture sorta blends the scientific problem solving thinking side of her with her creative thinking or artistic side. She then did things to explore the field a bit more in high school, such as an independent study to learn architectural skills, papers on various arch topics, art classes, and interning with an architect. Once in college and studying the various aspects of architecture, she has found that she really loves it. One moment you can be learning about architecture, history and cultures, and another working with your hands on creative design. It is very varied and each aspect is one that interests her, as well as taps at her different talents. I can’t say at the moment the more specific reasons she likes architecture now that she is immersed in it but am just sharing some initial reasons that caused her to explore the field further. It seems to fit her well and vice versa. Try it out some and see if it is for you. You’ll know if it is or not.</p>