A. Architecture Is a Career Not Easily Attained but Is One That Is Enjoyed by Those In

Smith 1

Jane Smith

Ms. Capps

1st Period

21 January 2014

Architecture

I. Introduction

A. Architecture is a career not easily attained but is one that is enjoyed by those in

the field.

B. Thesis: To pursue a career in architecture, one must consider the educational

requirements, duties, opportunities, and future of the profession.

II. Educational requirements

A. Preparation for an architectural career requires many different forms of education.

B. Auburn University’s Architecture School, for example, has ranked in the top

twenty programs in the nation nine years in a row (Hinson).

C. “The architecture building at Auburn University became famed for always

having its lights on, as the architecture students almost never left the building”

(Meadows).

D. Prospective architects who, while still in school, gain experience in an actual firm

have an advantage and should get their internship quickly (“Architect (Occupation

Profile)”).

E. Within the next five years, one must also pass seven examinations (Meadows).

F. They also should be skilled in organization and management (“Architect

(Occupation Profile)”). G. Generally, a certification in architecture can be summed up in three words:

education, experience, and examination (“Career Stages”).

H. Although there are many types of educational requirements, architecture is a

career that can be obtained with skill, talent, commitment, and passion.

III. Duties

A. There are many duties one will have as an architect.

B. Meadows also states, “Architects are responsible for designing and administering

the construction of buildings.”

C. Architects must refer to building codes and zoning laws while developing detailed

drawings and models (“Architect (Occupation Profile)”).

D. Some of these individuals were are mechanical, plumbing, structural, and

electrical engineers as well as the contractor (Meadows).

E. Architects have many duties during their everyday work life.

IV. Opportunities

A. Architects have many opportunities within their career as well.

B. Once newly licensed, one can expect to make closer to $60,000 each year

(Meadows).

C. It is a program always in need of volunteers at the local, state, and national levels

(“Career Stages”).

D. Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (APLA) at Auburn University

invites alumni to provide support to students and school programs (Hinson).

E. Most firms offer health insurance, retirement plans, bonuses, and vacation time

(Meadows). Smith 3

F. Architects work 40-50 hours a week (“Architect (Occupation Profile)”).

G. One can live anywhere in order to thrive in architecture (Meadows).

H. Many architects must work hard to be successful, but there are also benefits they

receive along the way.

V. Future of architecture

A. The future of architecture may fluctuate but the profession itself if necessary to a

society.

B. “I think it’s highly unlikely that the profession of architecture is going

anywhere, as the art of designing buildings is as old as humanity and our

profession in its current form has existed for several hundred years. Our field is

constantly changing as new products and construction methods are invented, but

the core attributes are about the same as they have always been, and likely always

will be (Meadows).

C. Architecture is expected to grow faster than average within the next few years

(“Architect (Occupation Profile)”).

D. An architect’s future is very important when considering the profession, but if one

is skilled enough, their future is secure.

VI. Conclusion

A. Considering the educational requirements, duties, opportunities, and future as an

architect, one will understand the amount of work that goes into this profession.

B. I believe that with hard work, strong determination, and countless sleepless

nights, I can become the architect I always dreamed I would be. Jane Smith

Ms. Capps

1st Period

21 January 2014

Architecture

Architecture is a career not easily obtained but is one that is loved by those in the field.

This profession is one that will always be necessary. Many architects become skilled at certain types of architecture and can then pursue a firm specialized in that skill. Majoring in architecture and actually following through with the career is a long, difficult journey. To pursue a career in architecture, one must consider the educational requirements, duties, opportunities, and future of this profession.

Preparation for an architectural career requires many different forms of education. There are several suggested high school courses for one who plans to pursue architecture. Some of them include algebra, applied math, arts, English, geometry, history, drafting, and physics. One must receive a bachelor’s degree from an accredited architecture college. Auburn University’s

Architecture School, for example, has ranked in the top twenty programs in the nation nine years in a row (Hinson). “The architecture building at Auburn University became famed for always having its lights on, as the architecture students almost never left the building,” states Jonathan

Meadows, a local architect. After completing the five year program, a three year internship is necessary. Prospective architects who, while still in school, gain experience in an actual firm have an advantage and should get their internship quickly (“Architect (Occupation Profile)”).

Within the next five years, one must also pass seven examinations (Meadows). Architects, in fact, must be skilled in communication through both speech and writing. They also should be Smith 5 skilled in organization and management (“Architect (Occupation Profile)”). Architecture is not extremely physically demanding, but one must be able to use their hands to make models and draw plans. Generally, a certification in architecture can be summed up in three words: education, experience, and examination (“Career Stages”). Although there are many types of educational requirements, architecture is a career that can be obtained with skill, talent, commitment, and passion.

There are many duties one will have as an architect. Meadows also states, “Architects are responsible for designing and administering the construction of buildings,” (Meadows). Some of these buildings can include private homes, offices, theaters, libraries, museums, and factories.

Architects usually work in a clean, well-kept, and well-lit office. Architects must refer to building codes and zoning laws while developing detailed drawings and models (“Architect

(Occupation Profile)”). One will also supervise the construction of the building. An architect should be very convincing when presenting his or her ideas in order to gain the client’s approval.

Once receiving their confirmation, the architect must coordinate the different people involved in the design and construction of the building with that of what the owner wants. Some of these individuals are Mechanical, Plumbing, Structural, and Electrical engineers as well as the contractor (Meadows). Architects have many duties during their everyday work life.

Architects have many opportunities within their career as well. Interns who are fresh out of college can expect to make about $40,000 each year. Once newly licensed, one can expect to make closer to $60,000 each year (Meadows). There are also different organizations one can join after graduating or becoming certified. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) invites new graduates to receive free membership for up to eighteen months and then join the organization permanently. It is a program always in need of volunteers at the local, state, and national levels (“Career Stages”). Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (APLA) at

Auburn University invites alumni to provide support to students and school programs (Hinson).

Also the National Council of Architectural Registered Professional (NCARP) is a mandatory organization and maintains the record of the architect’s licensure. Architects are also given a surprising amount of career mobility. Actually, it is rare to find an architect who has not had to change firms at least once in his or her career. Most firms offer health insurance, retirement plans, bonuses, and vacation time (Meadows). During architecture school, the quality of life is almost unparalleled. But after finishing school, it becomes immensely better. Typically, architects work 40-50 hours a week (“Architect (Occupation Profile)”). You can live just about anywhere in order to thrive in the career of architecture (Meadows). Many architects must work hard to be successful, but there are also benefits they receive along the way.

The future of architecture may fluctuate but the profession itself is necessary to a society.

Job security solely depends on the economic climate. As long as the architect can convey his or her ideas clearly and it pleases the client, their job will remain secure. Meadows also stated in his interview:

I think it’s highly unlikely that the profession of Architecture is going anywhere,

as the art of designing buildings is as old as humanity and our profession in its

current form has existed for several hundred years. Our field is constantly

changing as new products and construction methods are invented, but the core

attributes are about the same as they have always been, and likely always will be

(Meadows).

The current outlook seems to be improving. Architecture is expected to grow faster than average within the next few years (“Architect (Occupation Profile)”). The market is looking up for Smith 7 architecture. An architect’s future is very important when considering the profession, but if one is skilled enough, their future is secure.

Considering the educational requirements, duties, opportunities, and future as an architect, one will understand the amount of work that goes into this profession. But even though there is a lot of work, it all pays off when benefits and security are promised upon entering a firm. One can obtain this occupation if he or she sets his or her mind to it. I believe that with hard work, strong determination, and countless sleepless nights, I can become the architect I always dreamed I would be. Works Cited

"Architect (Occupation Profile)." Coin Career Library. Alabama Virtual Library. Web. 8 Jan

exploration/exploration_content.cfm?Occ=1>.

"Career Stages." The American Institute of Architects. 2014 The American Institute of

Architects. Web. 10 Jan 2014. .

Hinson, David. "School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture." Auburn

University College of Architecture, Design, and Construction. 2014 Auburn University.

Web. 10 Jan 2014. .

Meadows, Jonathan. “Research Paper: Career.” Message to Claire Gamble. 8 Jan 2014. E-mail.