I need some career advice....

[zori]

Hello, I am not sure whether this is the right forum to post this in, but
I need some advise....I've always liked architecture. I took drafting, engineering drawing, architecture classes in High School and I very much enjoyed it (and after 3 years of working with AutoCad, I got pretty good at using it). However, when I got to college for some reason I didn't think of a major in Architecture. As a result, I am currently already a junior majoring in Economics. Is there any way that I can perhaps combine the two disciplines into doing something I like (involving economics and architecture)? Should I consider a career change? Any other ideas? What are your opinions on this...

[jarviss_m]

for example.
a healthcare system has many many architectural projects going on at all times....they could be remodeling existing facilities, upkeep on existing facilities, creating new hospitals, medical office buildings, infrastructure to support all of these things..etc.

as a project manager for such a healthcare provider, you would reccoment projects to the healthcare system, (maybe there is a new piece of equipment which is to replace outdated equipment)...they would review your proposal (including economic advantages to the upgrade)..etc..and approve the project.
you, as the PM would find an architect to do the work and you'd work closely with them throughout the project.
as the PM you would be responsible for the proejct to your employer (the healthcare provider) but the architect is responsible to you to complete the project in time/on budget etc.

they do the work, you're still invovled in the process...and your background in economics could help you in this type of situation.

im sure there are other examples, but this is just a quick generalization of how you could incoroporate your love of architecture and your current degree into a possible career.

please don't ding me on the spelling..i'm typing as fast as i can
LOL

-G

[zori]

hey thanks a lot for the info. it is useful. i would still appreciate more opinions. thanks again

[solidred]

Hi Zori. If you can fund further study after completing your economics degree, you could go study architecture. Lots of architectural 'big thinkers' have a disciplinary background elsewhere. For example, one of the most famous and successful architects-architectural theorists in the world today is a guy called Rem Koolhaas, who was a journalist and screenwriter before becoming an architect. Another famous architect, Frank Gehry, was a truck driver! Another, Daniel Libeskind, was a very accomplished player of the accordion. Architecture is a very broad, rich subject at a certain level of practice and can easily absorb training in other areas into useful input into its practices. Economics is a key subject in understanding the dynamics of the human world (and at a metaphorical level) in the natural world too. This working knowledge would do you no harm at all if you go on to practise architecture. But think Big, not small

[bcoll11]

most architecture graduate schools offer a program for people who have degrees outside of architecture (its usually 1-2 years longer than a typical masters program). So they really encourage bringing in people who have a different mindset/background.

[RSCarcht]

Architects are the jack of all trades: economists, engineers, diplomats, psychiartrists and (occasionally) artists.

Much of your mathematic training will translate well. Most architecture firms are really just small business with fewer than three employees where the principal is also the office manager.

You should think carefully why you initially precluded architecture from you list of majors and why you are thinking of it now. Make sure you are goining in to it for the right reasons. It is a long hard march and not everyone makes it to the oasis.

You still have time to take some drawing classes and architectural survey classes if you are going to a liberal arts school. That will at least help you lay the foundation for an application to a graduate school of architecture if that is the direction you decide.