I’ve been really depressed lately and I feel like nobody holds the answer to my problem. I’ve always wanted to be an Architect, but when I registered for my college classes the other day, I chickened out of Engineering Design, which is the closest thing to Architecture in my school, and went for General Studies. Whenever I feel like I really want to major in Architecture, I get scared shortly after and try to think of something else which is a constant cycle. I think it’s because I feel like I’m not smart enough to be a good Architect. Although I would love to see myself being one, I feel like I’m missing key personality traits that would make me a successful Architect. Math, for example, Is something I’m absolutely terrible at. I’ve also considered Business and Computer Science, but I also don’t want a job where I’m chained to my desk all day. Its so hard to decide when everything I can think of makes me re-think of my choice. I don’t have much hobbies other than drawing, and I really don’t have a “passion” for anything. I can never find a major that I could ever see myself being happy with other than Architecture, but again, I can’t really see myself being a good one.
Okay, but you won’t know until you go for it. Does your school offer architecture? Confused because most programs I’ve seen are heavily scheduled from the outset.
No, they don’t. Its basically a drafting major, but I’m pretty sure I can transfer to a uni for an Architecture program with the courses provided by the Engineering Design program
Very difficult to transfer to Architecture programs for the reason I mentioned earlier. It would take some research to be successful.
Try taking some career tests. There are a bunch of excellent free ones online if you search for them. The good ones will bring up a whole list of possible careers that could all suit you. If architecture does come up repeatedly on career aptitude tests as being suitable for you (and even if it doesn’t, and your interest remains), then muster up some courage. Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t start out with muscles. He started out a scrawny boy with determination, and put in tremendous effort, believing in his dream and visualizing success. He worked toward all of his goals that way. You can do the same thing.
You have an assumption about architecture – that it requires what you don’t have and can’t get. Is that true? I would bet that you actually do have a lot of the skills necessary, and could acquire the others. You can certainly draw! And you’re interested in it!
Read this blog by someone who became an architect who also doubted his abilities, and considered his math skills only so-so, and see if you don’t get inspired:
I’ve tried that, and yes, I’ve read that article. It’s very inspiring! But, When I take those career tests, my top careers are like drama and art. I’m interested in that, maybe on the side, but I couldn’t see myself relying my whole career on something like that. I feel like I would need lots of really good connections in order to make a decent living as an artist.
JustOneDad, This is my college’s page describing the program:
http://www.wcjc.edu/Programs/technology-and-business/engineering-design-construction-management/Archived-Curriculum-Engineering-Design.aspx
“Former students have been employed as pipe designers, architectural designers, tool designers, civil designers, structural detail designers, electrical designers, and job estimators.”
I believe I can transfer into an Architecture Program since it states that graduates have gotten jobs as architectural designers, but I still don’t know. Judging by the courses, do you personally think I could?
@082896, The decision to study architecture is a difficult one because it requires a major commitment to the degree and to the career. It’s not unusual for young people – both high school students and undergraduates – to be reluctant to make that commitment mainly because they haven’t had enough exposure to what a career in architecture involves.
In order to become a licensed architecture in Texas (and most other states) you would need either a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) or a Master of Architecture (MArch). The path from a community college to either of those degrees could be long and difficult, but it’s definitely doable. There are also many other jobs related to architecture that don’t require professional degrees. An architectural designer is not the same thing as an architect.
Assuming that you will complete one or two years at your CC either in their Engineering Design program or anything else, you could transfer to a university that offers a BArch OR get a BA or BS plus an MArch. BArch and MArch degrees are offered by large universities, art schools and technical schools. Although certain courses are required by all, the focus of the different school varies from more design and creativity driven to more technical and structures driven.
As @justonedad mentions, BArch programs are highly structured and difficult to transfer into. In that event, you might be better off transferring to a university or college that offers a BA or BS degree in architecture or architectural studies (or anything else that you’re interested in, like art) and then getting a an MArch.
So one path is to get a BA or BS; take the required courses for the MArch – art studio, art history, calculus, physics; try to secure summer jobs or internships in architecture; develop a strong portfolio.
Next year, you could attend an architecture career discovery program which are offered by many university architecture departments (including the University of Houston). This would give you an idea of how much math is actually involved in the profession and would help you develop a portfolio of your work which will be required for MArch admissions. The University of Houston also offers information sessions on their various architecture programs.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jtCDOgRbpOIhkdoDcHfvVnpPTV8zZb7WoWC6ppO03lA/viewform
Your CC’s course in Engineering Design / Tech prep wouldn’t necessarily help you in getting admitted to a BArch or MArch program but it wouldn’t hurt you either. It would give you experience in handling computer aided design which is a big part of architecture and could lead to a summer job or internship at an architecture firm which could help solidify your commitment. On the other hand, the course (especially year two) may be more engineering and tech driven than you’re interested in pursuing. As a transfer student, you’ll want to achieve a strong GPA.
Getting into a BA/BS program and funding it, will entail a good amount of research and effort, but it can be done. But first you have to decide what degree you’re going after.
You say those career tests tell you that you are suited for a career in drama or art. Many of the architecture programs fall under the school of art, not engineering. You will find that most Architecture programs (at least BArch ones) are more art-focused than math. They are looking for creativity and aptitude for design. Just learning drafting or the software for it do not make an architect.
I agree with momrath’s suggestions. The best path might be finishing your 2-year degree, then transferring into a BA or BS program, then getting a MArch.