The number of architecture students who become practicing architects is very small- only about 6% of all architecture graduates are professional architects. This percentage has been decreasing for several years now, to an even smaller size than before!

This isn’t because there aren’t enough people with dreams of being an architect, but rather due to the limited availability of employment as well as opportunities to advance in the field.

Most architectural schools offer at least some kind of career planning service that helps students identify their dream careers and determine if this profession fits them. However, most don’t provide guidance beyond that.

Other reasons why not many people become architects include the cost of education (hundreds of thousands of dollars), the time investment needed to be an architect (8+ years depending upon school and area of practice) and the fact that other professions can’t call themselves architects.

Overall, becoming an architect is a difficult job search process that is mostly influenced by chance. It may also depend on where you live or how hard your potential employer works to recruit new talent.

The more accessible design thinking and skills are to everyone, the easier it will be to see architects emerge from within our communities.

Definition of an architect's career

As we have discussed, being an architect is more than just picking colors and shapes for buildings. It is designing whole spaces and environments, determining what functions they should hold and how to organize them, developing building systems such as plumbing and ventilation, and educating others about architecture.

In fact, many architects don’t even consider themselves designers at first. According to the American Institute of Architectural Sciences (AIA), “Design professionals who create artistic, functional designs that convey a sense of balance and harmony are called design professionals.”

That means most people who call themselves architects aren't actually doing anything that would make them considered a true designer. They may be putting together color schemes or choosing materials, but those things don’t make someone creative.

The number of architecture schools in the US

There are currently twenty-four accredited architectural programs in the United States, with most universities having two or three departments that offer an undergraduate degree in architecture. This means there are typically six to nine students per department, making it very difficult for potential architects to find exposure to the field unless they actively look for work!

The cost to attend college can add up quickly depending on how much money you have and what kind of student benefits each school offers. It is important to do your research before deciding where to spend your money!

Some professional organizations also hold events designed just for aspiring architects, so attending one event may help you determine if this career is right for you.

Reasons students become architects

There are many reasons why individuals choose to pursue an architecture career path. These include, but are not limited to, the profession itself, the income it offers, and the need for professionals in the field.

Some people start their careers as architects because they enjoy designing buildings or landscapes. Others learn basic concepts of design and then apply them to create a professional looking building or landscape.

Architects must take courses that cover all aspects of design including mathematics, physics, material science, drawing, and more. Some employers require a degree or licensure as an architect before giving you work.

The most important thing is to be passionate about architecture and like what you do. If these two things are there, then chances are good you will keep practicing your craft and going after what dreams you have.

Skills you need to be an architect

Being an architect requires more than just knowing how to design buildings. You will have to manage your clients, vendors, and colleagues in the field, as well as develop special skills such as drafting and designing software.

Architects also must be good at communicating both orally and in writing. This is important since most of what an architect does is communicate!

Furthermore, being able to organize and plan is essential. An architect needs to know how to plan projects including costs and time frames, and have a process for getting things done.

When it comes down to it, though, what makes or breaks someone as an architect is their ability to create beautiful designs. Architectural aesthetics are very important to ensuring the success of an architecture career.

There are many ways to learn about architectural styles, which helps you hone your eye for beauty.

How to get an architecture job

As we discussed, being an architect is not necessarily a straightforward career path. Even more so now with the market as it stands, employers are having a hard time finding architects. This is due to two main reasons- there are just too many students graduating and not enough positions for them to be hired into!

As such, most people who want to work in design find themselves working in related fields like interior or landscape designing. Or even becoming engineers and putting up their own business offering professional engineering services!

There are several ways to help you achieve your goal of getting an architectural position. The first way is by increasing your knowledge base through education. By studying different disciplines outside of architecture, such as art, psychology, sociology, economics, and business, you can add depth to your toolbox as professionals.

Second, make sure your personal life is stable and organized. A lot of people start careers later in life, and if they do not take care of themselves emotionally, they will not perform well at work. You should know what hobbies and activities you enjoy and keep those tight.

Third, be aware of when your job needs to close and how long it takes to get ready for next project. If you are very busy during times that you work, other people may feel left out because you do not have time for social interactions. Make arrangements for this and mitigate any feelings of loneliness or stress.

Ways to improve your architecture skills

Being an architect is a very competitive field that requires you to be passionate about buildings, business fundamentals, and creativity. Finding out how to hone your architectural design skills is important if you want to make it in this profession.

There are many ways to learn more about architects and what they do. You can watch documentaries, read books, surf the web, talk with people who have worked for an architect, and look through their work to get ideas.

Many universities offer courses in different areas such as interior or landscape designing, which could help you develop your talent in those fields too.

Architecture is a pretty popular career choice so there are lots of opportunities to start working as an apprentice or junior member under an experienced professional. Getting some practical experience will show potential employers that you are not only interested in studying art but also something related to the industry.

If you are already familiar with drawing then creating mock-ups and floor plans is a good way to gain additional skill points. Technology has made it easy to produce high quality designs so using these tools effectively is another way to take advantage of architectural lessons.

Image: Flickr

It’s always helpful to know the basics of mathematics and physics so having a basic understanding of proportions, shapes, and materials is essential.

Follow the trends in architecture

As with any field, there are trends that inspire people to pursue specific careers. Looking at the trends of the profession, many find inspiration to become an architect. These include looking for buildings or structures designed using environmentally friendly materials, exploring new styles and concepts in building shapes and layouts, and studying how powerful and functional some contemporary architectural designs are!

Many students choose to follow these trends by becoming practicing architects. Some even start their own businesses or work for large corporations designing facilities. Others go into teaching this style of design to future generations.

It is very important to be aware of what types of architectures have grown in popularity so that you can incorporate them into your career as an artist/designer.

Know the different types of architecture

As we know, not every student who studies art or design chooses to be an architect. Some students choose to pursue other areas such as furniture making or interior designing!

However, what is important to remember about being an architect is that it is very difficult to become one unless you go into it with your eyes open.

Most people are not aware of this so most architects have to work extra hard to convince individuals to join their field. This can often mean creating strong interest in the profession before accepting someone into the field.

It will also take a lot of effort to learn all aspects of the discipline, which takes years to accomplish. Many architects never fully mastered their area of expertise, sometimes leaving themselves out of a job.