Private industry:
Office buildings
Convention centers
Medical offices
Health clubs
Motels, hotels, resorts
Casinos
Restaurants
Shopping centers
Private industry continued:
Supermarkets
Theaters
Arenas
Public/Government:
Schools
Colleges
Universities
Government, military facilities
Public/Government continued:
Libraries
Hospitals
Recreational facilities
Churches
Museums
Environmental design
Disaster response/management
Architecture firms
Large corporations
Manufacturers
Research institutions
Transportation companies
Local and state government
Federal government:
Architect of the Capitol
Department of Defense
Federal government continued:
Department of Interior
Department of Housing & Urban Development
General Services Administration
Seek part-time jobs and/or internships to gain relevant experience.
Learn the technical side of preparing construction documents; spend time in the field to understand the mechanics of construction.
Familiarize yourself with the various jobs and processes (e.g., hospitality, healthcare) that take place in the buildings to design effectively for clients’ needs.
Seek advanced training if specializing in a certain typology such as historic preservation and renovation or a certain type of building such as schools or hospitals.
Get involved in leadership roles on campus; architects may serve as project leaders coordinating the work of engineers and contractors.
Develop strong writing skills which are necessary for advancement.
Single family housing
Multiple-unit residential
Tract homes
Senior/Assisted living
Remodeling/Renovations
Research
Architecture firms
Real estate developers
Construction firms
Individual homeowners
Self-employed
Shadow, volunteer, or intern in an architect’s office to gain exposure to the field.
Develop strong communication skills and patience which are important when working with clients designing their homes.
Study houses and architecture styles and read books and magazines about architecture.
Architectural history
Curating
Architectural conservatory
Preservation
Restoration
Research
Historic interior design
Building inspection
Architecture firms particularly those specializing in historic preservation
Federal, state, local government
Consulting firms
Nonprofit preservation groups
Educational institutions
Pursue experience in the construction and contracting field.
Seek knowledge about construction of buildings during earlier periods. Gain technical experience in problems that occur with historic buildings such as complications from climatic and environmental conditions over time.
Join the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Landscape design
Interior architecture/design
Forensic architecture
Urban planning
Urban design
Furniture design
Federal, state, local government
Architecture firms
Design firms
Consumer goods manufacturers
Furniture stores
Specialized training or advanced degrees in urban planning, landscape design, interior design, etc. may be required.
Pursue a minor (sequence of courses) in related field as available.
Gain experience working in fast paced environments and meeting deadlines. Plan to work on multiple projects at a time.
Build a network of contacts, especially if considering freelance work, to keep up with industry trends and build clientele.
Join related professional associations such as ASLA, ASID, APA.
Building surveying
Development
Planning
Construction management
Project management
Facilities management
Architectural technology
Contracting
Property assessment
Developers
Contractors
Construction firms
Self-employed
Architecture firms
Design firms
Engineering firms
A contractor’s license is considered valuable for working in the design/build area of architecture.
Develop strong verbal, written, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Consider a course in public speaking to enhance presentation skills. Plan to collaborate with others.
Obtain relevant experience through co-ops or internships for industry-related careers.
Writing/Journalism
Set design
Advertising design
Illustration
Editor
Graphic design
Photography
Publishers: book, magazine, journals
Entertainment industry
Take courses in English and journalism to develop writing skills.
Supplement curriculum with relevant courses in theater and art.
Take an active role, preferably leadership, in journalism and/or writing organizations on campus.
Create a portfolio of writing, photography, and/or illustration samples, especially those that have been published.
Start a blog to expand your writing skills.
Real estate:
Development
Appraisals
Brokerage
Consulting
Law
Insurance liability
Product development/Marketing
Real estate firms
Appraisal firms
Apartment and condominium complexes
Developers
Large corporations: real estate departments
Law firms
Corporate architecture departments
Federal, state, local government
Develop an entrepreneurial spirit.
Investigate apprenticeships in appraisal.
Research the process of becoming a real estate broker through the National Association of Realtors. Learn about the real estate market and local supply and demand.
Considering pursuing an MBA degree to open more opportunities within business and industry.
Many large corporations employ architects to serve as client representatives when working with architectural firms.
Earn a JD for law practice. Experience in architecture and construction will help prepare one for contract negotiation and litigation.
Teaching
Research
Administration
Information/Library science
Part-time instruction
Colleges and universities
Special collections libraries
A doctoral degree in architecture is preferred and/or required for full-time professorships.
Professional experience and licensure in the field of architecture is beneficial.
Develop a working knowledge in the building design or construction industry, along with knowledge of CADD, project planning, and estimating.
Create a portfolio for faculty review.
To become an architect in almost all states, one must receive a professional degree, Bachelor, Master, or Doctor of Architecture, from an architecture program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), gain approximately two years of experience under the supervision of a licensed architect under Architect Experience Program (AXP), and pass the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Contact NCARB to research your state’s requirements for licensure.
Architects may also seek certification by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), which makes it easier to become licensed across states via reciprocity
Consult the Survey of Architectural Registration Boards for the number of architects licensed in the United States and trends in the field.
Graduate degree programs (Master of Architecture) exist for individuals who did not major in architecture at the undergraduate level. A strong background in the physical sciences and math is recommended.
Architecture involves much more than designing buildings. Conduct informational interviews with architects and visit their offices to learn more about the field.
Architecture is a combination of art and science. Students of architecture must be able to conceptualize and understand spatial relations and be detail-oriented. Develop creativity, analytical skills, and a sense of quality. Supplement curriculum with art and photography classes.
Oral and written communications skills are important particularly when working with clients, construction crews, or government officials. Good writing skills are valuable for developing architectural proposals.
Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and other computer technologies are prevalent in the field of architecture. Develop as many computer skills as possible.
The job market for architects, especially residential, varies with changes in economy as demand is often tied to level of construction.
Two-thirds of licensed architects in the U.S. are in private practice. Most (over 75%) architects work in firms of fewer than ten individuals.
Related fields include graphic, interior, or industrial design, real estate development, civil engineering, and construction management.
Some architects specialize in a particular building type. Graduate study in the field may be helpful for specializing. Other architects may specialize in a certain function of the firm such as project management or specification writing.
Areas of specialization include historic preservation/renovation, healthcare facilities, sports facilities, educational facilities, master planning, corporate facilities planning, project management, city planning, interior design or other related fields.
Students need to design a portfolio (traditional and digital format) to use when interviewing. Include freehand drawings, process sketches, final drawings by hand and computer, photos of study models and finished models, a sample of writing, and work from technical courses.