From Carpenter and EMS to Architect?

[Kevin]

Posted on behalf of Zach due to filtering issues...

Message- Hey everybody! Just a warning, this is kind of long.

I have been lurking around the site for the last couple hours, looking at all the awesome information and links that have been posted. I decided, after seeing how helpful a lot of the people on this site are, that I would like to seek their advice.

So here goes.....

I am a 24 year old from Michigan. Growing up, my dad owned his own carpentry and general contracting company that I have worked for since I was 12. I have been involved in many different phases of many different types of construction, but I have the most experience with residential rough carpentry (framing). I have been doing this work part and full time for the past 12 years for him and other contractors. I consider myself pretty well rounded and very efficient as a carpenter.

During high school, I took many different history and drafting classes along with a couple math classes. I have never been a strong math student as it has never come easy to me although I don't mind doing it all. It is just difficult for me so it seems to take a little longer.

Growing up, I always had thought about becoming an architect, and running my own little construction/build/design company. Deep down, I wish I would have seeked that route years ago. The problem is, at the time, I really wanted to be a firefighter too. That was something I always thought would be an awesome job as well and decided after high school, that's what I would gear myself towards and never did pursue the architecture thing any further.

Bad idea. lol.

After HS, I graduated and began taking different classes in many different areas, focusing mainly on firefighting at the community college level, since you really can only get firefighting and EMS training at the comm. college level. I attended school mainly part time, as I worked full time doing carpentry, trying to learn all I could about the trade. I also reallt started lifting a lot and trying to keep myself in great shape for the jobs I did.

I ended up getting my certifications in firefighting, my EMT-Basic license, along with a lot of other specialized rescue training 3 years ago, and have since been volunteering with the local fire dept. where I live. I also work for an ambulance company as an EMT-Basic and I still do carpentry.

Here's the problem though. I'm not sure that the firefighting of today is really what I'm after. I don't know if there is anyone in here who is involved with the fire service, but the fire service is verrrrrry different than it was even 15 years ago. There are not nearly as many fires, and 90-95% of most departments calls are medicals. Not that I mind medicals, but what I'm really after is the old school type of firefighting with mainly....well....firefighting! You can still find this in some parts of some cities, like philly, detroit, clevland and a couple others, but mainly, the focus has shifted towards EMS Fire Depts. I'm not too crazy about that.

Well the construction industry is at a standstill as anyone who is around the Detroit area knows. It's been quite a while since I've really swung a hammer.

I'm at kind of a crossroads. I can either keep trying for a fire job that might pop up, or I can pursue the one thing that I should have done years ago......and kick it in high gear towards the architecure dreams.

What is your advice for me? Is it smart for a 24 year old to begin pursuing a career in architecture? Am I too old? Or is it something I should jump into head first and not look back?

I am about 45 miles outside of Detroit and am considering the University of Detroit Mercy as the school I would like to attend. Any advice on this school or any others I should consider looking at?

I appreciate you taking your time to help me and applaud you if you made it this far.

Any and all advice is appreciated...

[cousinbirgco]

Zach, It's pretty hard today to make a living as an architect
(or a carpenter for that matter) so it might not be a bad
idea to do both. As anyone around this forum will tell you,
the original definition of architect was "Master Builder", so
your strong experience in building certainly won't hurt you
if you decide to go into architecture and to have more than
one skill or education in this economy is definitely a big plus.
It's also important (IMHO) to work in a trade or profession
that you are passionate about and hopefully the combination of
the two should afford you more opportunity than just one or the other.
Btw, you are never too old to start working in a field or career
you are really interested in. (except maybe if you want to be an astronaut)
I think more often than not, we regret the things we didn't do rather
than the things we tried.
Best of luck.

[lekizz]

24 is no age at all, don't worry about that! You've plenty of years left ahead! People do say that recessions are a good time to go to college and retrain, hopefully when you've graduated the economy will be on the up *fingers crossed*

If you market yourself to the college as a skilled, experienced carpenter (who has worked in the fire service recently to pay the rent) maybe you will be seen as an unusual and interesting candidate. I expect any college will expect to see a portfolio of evidence of your creative skills, you could include photos of your carpentry work. Drawing skills will help - do you keep a sketch book? If not, start to do that, draw things that interest you, drawing is a fairly essential skill of an architect.

Maybe read up about architecture to find out what excites you. A college will want to see a bit of passion and commitment. I'd recommend a look at the work of Swiss architect, Peter Zumthor, an amazing craftsman in wood.

[csintexas]

I agree with the other two.

24 is not too old and the math requirements are most likely not beyond your abilities.

Whether or not you will be as disenchanted with the realities of architecture as you where with the realities of firefighting is another matter.

[solidred]

Whatever you do, don't wander around forever thinking 'I could've been an architect!' with some dreamy notion of what that is. In other words, don't make dreams out of words. You have real skills and real wants. Work out exactly what these are and make up a job description to suit.