Heat

Hey guys, I have been a lurker here for a while and decided to make my first post a significant topic.

Basically, Im a student at Woodbury University studying Architecture. Its a 5 year accredited program. Its my second year into the program and Im having doubts about choosing this field.

I searched the topic of architect as a career and there were a lot of negative comments about how bad the field is and how underpaid you will be.

Ill be honest here, money is a very BIG issue for me. I want to be able to one day support a family and live well. I dont want to just "get by". I know I sound like money is the most important thing but it is pretty important if you think about it and about how you want to live.

Now whats up with the issue of salary. I hear from certain people that if you're in it for the money dont get your hopes up, other people say your going to be filthy rich, others say depends where you work, this and that, story goes on.

I have been exposed to art all my life, I can draw well, have good graphic design skills, and am learning many 3d programs.

Basically, Im thinking about switching my major to somthing in business. I mean, I dont want to go through all this hard work at school and countless sleepless nights for a future that Im not going to be happy with.

Can anyone give me any direction I will greatly appreciate any feedback.

-Thanks

kunstraum.tv

hmm......it´s hard to tell you what to do. but i´m not sure if it´s the right way to choose a profession by "future career chances". nobody knows if in 5 years the situation is completly different. i´m convinced that it´s absolutly necesarry to love what you do as occupation. when you love it, you are
able to be very good. when you are good, success is easier to achieve :-) ............and maybe then you can afford a family ;-) sorry to say that, too and it maybe it sounds a bit "old-intelligently"....but aren´t you too young to be so calculating ?

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www.purerender.com architecture. vision. emotion

kid

if you're having doubts now, in 2nd year of university, then your best move it to just get out of architecture now. seriously!

there are ways to become filthy rich in architecture such as getting together with some other people like builders, solicitors, accountants, etc and starting a property development group. or even just becoming a building contractor. the ones with a good business mind make a lot of money.

but these routes can take some time to establish and i don't think you'll be able to stick it out that long. not if you're having doubts in 2nd year.

only if you're totally, unhealthily, all consumingly obsessed with architecture should you spend 5 years studying it.

good luck.

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3dp

in a nutshell you will be not become rich working for someone else
whatever you pursue it takes some time to get your expeience together network connections etc
a lot of my friend who i studied with now run practices of up to 20 staff (but once you have a beer and talk straight ) i found i was making more doing visuals and working for contactors than if i was still in a office working for the man
whatever you do noone beats a path to your door and you will need to constantly work at whatever you do to keep above the radar

bottom line if it's ££$$ then get out of architecture

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can i have everything louder than everything else please

mbr

"Ill be honest here, money is a very BIG issue for me. I want to be able to one day support a family and live well. I dont want to just "get by". I know I sound like money is the most important thing but it is pretty important if you think about it and about how you want to live.
"


That says it all. Get out now. You will never get to that point in architecture unless you #1 become a partner in a large firm (unlikely, too many variables, too much ass kissing) #2 you have a successful firm of your own (again, unlikely simply because most fail).

I left and am happier for it.

PS - say 'hi' to the UCLA prof.s there, I have a few friends that are teaching there. And yeah, they know my opinion ;-)

Cheers.