You might be wondering why we are writing about reasons not to become an architect. Well, we have shared tips and tricks, and removed the ārose-coloredā glasses to this profession, and we feel itās important to know what you are getting yourselves into! Unfortunately, these five reasons are not surprising, and they can heavily affect oneās decision to pursue this career.
1. Long + Expensive Education
We can only speak on behalf of those pursuing this profession in North America, but studying architecture is a long and expensive process. Itās a privileged career to pursue with pros that donāt always overcome the cons! In the U.S., an individual must pursue an architecture degree in a four-year program followed by a NAAB-accredited post-grad program for an average of two years before practicing fully. On the other hand, certain universities have a NAAB-accredited five-year program, allowing an individual to practice one year quicker than the previous option.
This doesnāt include other considerations, such as study-abroad programs, which can easily double the cost of one semester! Fortunately, design students donāt need to spend excessive funds on textbooks only to be opened a few times in their lifetime; instead, modeling, sketching or drafting materials, tech such as laptops, and design software costs can snowball!
2. Long Hours
This is not surprising for any design-related career, and architecture is not the exception! We have shared in previous articles about the dangers of unsustainable working habits, and some will inevitably work long hours close to a projectās deadline. However, keep in mind that this may largely depend on your firmās work culture and whether they have the resources in place to prevent exhausting hours. We must make that distinction since all firms have different organizations, and itās not guaranteed that one will always work long hours. Many firms are now able to balance their workload and prioritize a healthy work-life balance compared to previous generations. There is a growing consensus among firms to take care of their employees to avoid high turnover rates, better productivity, and improved teamwork and morale!Ā
3. Less Pay
Unfortunately, the salary of an architect doesnāt typically correlate with the amount of training needed to become an architect. The saying, āone doesnāt go into architecture for money, but for the love of the practice,ā reflects the reality of the practicing architect.
Do you think architects should be paid more since significant formal education and professional experience are needed to be licensed architects? If so, you are aligned with a growing sentiment among experienced and emerging design professionals striving to unionize for wages to be more aligned with the education and experience an architectural designer requires.
4. Learning Never Stops
Depending on the individual, the situation of never-ending education can excite those who enjoy learning versus those who do not. To become an architect, not only does an individual need formal education in school experience training while working, but when licensed, architects are required to take courses known as Continuing Education (CE). CE courses allow an architect to be informed of new technologies and practices to ensure they meet the standard of care.
Apart from continual learning with the practice of architecture, most individuals will explore other fields that can somehow form a question of a relationship between architecture and oneās prospective interest. This will unfold more and more questions and itches to scratch! Will continuous exploration scare you away or excite you? Let us know in the comments below, but that’s okay too if you arenāt sure!
5. Dedication + Motivation
If those four reasons havenāt stopped you yet, the last reason not to become an architect is the dedication and motivation to hone the craft and expand the knowledge of architecture. There are a lot of possibilities and exploration to find your role within the architecture industry. However, a constant motif of an architect is the joy of designing spaces and utilizing its knowledge to enhance the lives of its participants in any way, shape, or form. This is not to say that one canāt find their motivation and love for the craft while navigating through school and career, but rather itās a journey that some individuals arenāt afforded the luxury to take.
We hope that our platform encourages students or professionals to look at architecture with excitement and transparency! This profession isnāt for the faint of heart, so ask yourself if itās worth it for you. Well, thatās all we have for you today. If youāve made it this far, you deserve a cookie. I hope you found this article interesting and took something from it! We hope to provide you with valuable insights and share them with someone who might find this helpful. Make sure to follow our Youtube and Instagram for more content! Sharing is caring!