As someone who loves architecture, it can be tough to quit the profession. You spend lots of money in tuition fees and training, you invest time into studying design theory and skills, and then what?

Most architects find work by applying directly to employers or through connections. If you’re already working as an architect, your chance of finding another job is limited unless there's a drastic shift in employment trends.

As more people have access to technology and are looking to increase their home space, finding work can be tricky. And even if you're not, how valuable will your expertise be if no one asks you to do so?

Architects also need to start thinking about what kind of career they want next. Being able to identify your strengths and weaknesses is a great way to know whether this is really the field for you.

This article will talk you through all these steps - from educating yourself of other careers to deciding if this is truly the end for you.

Make a list of things you enjoy eating

If you are ever struggling to motivate yourself to do something, get some food! We spend a lot of time consuming and studying about architecture so why not apply that knowledge towards motivating yourself to move forward with your dreams?

We all have different preferences in foods; some like spicy dishes while others prefer lighter flavors. What kind of food makes you feel good and relaxed?

Maybe salty snacks or crunchy vegetables are your style, while other people love pasta or rich desserts. No matter what your favorite food is, eat it – and be happy about it!

Why should you consider quitting architecture? Because you dream of doing this since you were a little kid, maybe even before you can remember. You know what you want to do, and now is the right time to start working hard to make it happen.

Architecture takes lots of study, preparation, and effort, but it is also a very rewarding career. Many architects earn a decent living, dependable income and advanced educational opportunities.

There are many ways to go about finding an architecture job, and the best way for you depends on what level you are at currently and what types of jobs you desire.

Finding employment as an architect isn’t easy, but there are many resources available to help you along the way.

Make a list of things you enjoy drinking

Now, I know what you are thinking – why would someone who enjoys architecture make a career out of quitting that? Well, my answer is simple – because they can!
As mentioned earlier, there are many ways to go about quitting your job as an architect. You do not have to be in the field for very long before realizing how much you love it.

But before deciding if this is really for you, you must figure out if it is truly possible to quit and pursue other dreams. This article will talk about some reasons why being able to walk away from your profession as an architect is possible and even encouraged.

Disclaimer: The content below has a purpose of providing general information only. It should never be considered legal or professional advice for any situation. Addressing specific situations requires formal education and/or employment as a lawyer or architectural designer.

So, let’s dive into all the reasons why architects are allowed to leave their jobs and start new careers.

Why people sometimes get upset when you tell them you want to be something else is always going to be true

This topic may sound cliché, but it is real. People take their work seriously, which makes sense since we spend hours every day working hard towards our goal of becoming an architect.

That said, outside of the workplace most people don’t take their life too seriously.

Make a list of things you enjoy doing

Even if you never planned to be an architect, your life would still be full of many other opportunities if you gave up architecture when you decided not to pursue it as a career.

Many people feel that being an artist or a designer is their career, but what about being a doctor, lawyer, accountant? These are all careers where you work with numbers and laws to help others.

It’s true, being able to draw well is very valuable in the art world, but you wouldn’t want to become Anish Kapoor because of that! The design profession has gone beyond just designing pretty pictures and buildings, so don’t discount the importance of this skill set unless you really want to give up working with shapes and colors.

If you ever decide that you no longer want to be an architect, try exploring other areas of the field such as interior design, landscape design, or business administration.

Look at your apartment or house

The most common way to quit architecture is by moving in with your partner and family. If you’ve already done this, great! You have my utmost respect for being able to make such a life decision while still having full time employment.

If not, then I suggest looking into that. It’s definitely possible to find housing as part of an employment contract, so don’t feel like you need to be living alone to stay motivated.

Another option is to look for freelance work within the field you want to leave. There are many ways to go about it – designing for other companies, working from home, etc.

I hope there isn’t too much loss when you do eventually walk away, but remember that leaving something you love doesn’t mean you will lose passion for it. You can always re-train yourself to enjoy something new.

Look at your finances

It’s very hard to know if you really need to quit your career as an architect, so it makes sense to do some cost-benefit analysis. Is there enough money in savings? If not, then now may be the time to look for part-time work that costs less than full time employment.

It's also important to consider how much space you have in your home or apartment. An office with a good amount of wall space can easily be converted into a bedroom or den.

If possible, try to reduce overhead by limiting things such as electricity use and food spending. A way to do this is by eating cheap and/or making your own meals. You could even turn off all unnecessary electrical devices (like televisions and computers) during non-work hours.

Lastly, ask yourself whether you feel more motivated after working, or when you're getting up in the morning. If you feel tired most days, maybe it's time to reconsider what kind of job you want to have.

Talk to your partner about quitting

It’s very hard to quit something you have spent lots of time doing, even if you don’t love it anymore. This is especially true when you have invested money in materials or equipment that you can’t afford to lose.

If you feel like you just can’t keep going, try talking to your partner about your desire to leave this career. Ask whether they would be supportive and helpful before leaving, and see if there are any courses or jobs that could help you find new employment.

By and large, most architects enjoy what they do, so chances are good that their colleagues and family members will offer support once you tell them you want to walk away.

Seek a therapist

After spending several years studying the art of building, you may find that it’s time to move onto other things. You can choose to stay in architecture or pursue another career like having a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Architectural design is more than just putting up buildings; it’s about how people connect with space and structures. This applies to offices, homes, hotels, restaurants, etc.

It also requires understanding concepts such as geometry, proportion, and balance. All of these play an integral part in creating aesthetically pleasing spaces.

In addition to all this, architects must be able to draw and create designs both digitally and hands-on. Some schools even require students to put together IKEA furniture!

There are many ways to go into architectural psychology but none seem better than the others. What works for one person may not work for another, so try out different types and see what fits you best.

Build a replacement career plan

If you are constantly thinking about becoming an architect, it is time to consider quitting. While being able to draw shapes is very important, working as an architect is more than that.

Becoming an architect requires education, licensing, and work permits so most people don’t actually get to practice architecture. In fact, many architects can’t even call themselves architects because they aren’t licensed or certified.

The only way to know for sure if being an architect is what you want is by learning how to be something else. You could always go into business helping others with architectural needs but there are lots of ways to do that.

You're also likely not alone in this desire to pursue other careers. There are millions of people who would like to become an artist, writer, accountant, etc. So why not you?

If you feel that you might need some extra guidance to help you learn the skills needed to run your own business, then doing so is totally fine at this stage. That's completely normal!

There are several routes you can take to running your own show including starting your own side hustle, taking courses via Udemy or similar sites, and/or finding someone already running their own business and picking their brains.