Estimated reading time: 5 mins
Are you interested in joining the ranks of the 128,800 architects currently working in the U.S.? Do you want a career that allows you to be creative and use your talents to help people create the houses and buildings of their dreams?
There are a lot of benefits you can enjoy if you choose to study architecture and become an architect.
If you’re still on the fence about whether this career is right for you, though, keep reading. Some of the greatest reasons to choose to study architecture are listed below:
-
Become an Effective Problem Solver
If you’ve been considering a career as an architect, there’s a good chance that you already consider yourself something of a problem solver. When you spend 4+ years attending architecture school, you’ll be able to take your problem-solving skills to a new level.
Much of your work as an architect (and, by default, an architecture student) revolves around identifying problems and coming up with new ways to solve them.
You’ll be amazed at how well these skills transfer over to everyday life, too. You’ll become the resident problem-solver in your friend group without even trying.
-
Travel the World
As an architecture student, you’ll have lots of opportunities to travel the world.
Architecture programs often offer study abroad opportunities for students to experience other cultures and take in incredible structures in foreign countries.
If you’ve always wanted to see the world, studying architecture will give you plenty of chances to do so.
-
Create Something from Nothing
If you love the idea of creating something out of nothing, you definitely ought to consider a career as an architect. Architects are creative individuals who have the ability to take a simple idea and turn it into a masterpiece.
As an architecture student, you’ll get to flex your creative muscles using a variety of tools, from sketching and painting to 3D models and 3D computer drawings.
-
Meet Amazing People
When you study architecture, you’ll have lots of opportunities to get to meet professionals who work in the field and in related fields. There are plenty of chances for you to network and get in front of people who might be willing to give you a job later on after you’ve graduated.
-
Get Hands-On Experience
If the idea of sitting in a lecture hall day after day puts you to sleep, you’re in luck. Architecture students do have to sit through some lecture-based classes, but a lot of their courses also involve hands-on work.
If you like to stay busy and learn by doing, studying architecture is likely a great choice for you.
-
Study Diverse Subjects
When you pursue an architecture degree, you have an opportunity to study a variety of other subjects as well. You’ll get to take classes in art, history, and even geopolitics and learn about how these different things influence the structure of buildings.
-
Make a Difference
Finally, studying architecture gives you an opportunity to make a difference in the world.
Many architecture schools place an emphasis on the importance of service, and it’s likely that these kinds of projects will be part of your curriculum.
You’ll also be able to give back to underserved communities when you graduate and create buildings that help them to grow and thrive.
What to Expect When Studying Architecture
As you can see, there are lots of perks that come with studying architecture and becoming an architect. You might still be feeling a little unsure of choosing this path, though.
If you are, knowing more about what to expect from your courses might help to put you at ease and give you more confidence that you’re making the best decision for yourself.
Listed below are some things you ought to keep in mind about what architecture school is like:
The Basics
As an architecture student, you’ll need to earn a minimum of a four-year bachelor’s degree. During the course of your studies, you’ll take a variety of classes in subjects like theory, design methods, technical and structural aspects, and history.
The Workload
The workload for an architecture student is pretty heavy. You’ll need to plan on spending a lot of time each night studying and working on projects.
The extra effort is worth it, though, as it will give you the tools and skills you need to be a competent and hireable architect.
Time Management Is a Must
Because the workload is so intense, you’ll need to work on your time management skills as well. This can be tricky when you’re first getting started, but you’ll soon find a rhythm that works well for you.
Keep in mind that your time management skills will work in your favor later on, as you’ll be better at juggling projects and staying caught up when you begin your career as an architect.
Post-Graduate Options
There are many different types of architects, and you may need to do some additional studying depending on the type of architecture you want to practice.
Many architects go on to pursue master’s degrees to further their knowledge and give them additional skills. It’s not required, but it can help to make you more hireable and separate you from the pack.
Study Architecture Today
There are definitely a lot of reasons why you might want to choose to study architecture. Now that you know more about this career field, does it seem like a good fit for you?
Do you want to learn more about what a career as an architect looks like? Do you want more advice on choosing a career that will give you the satisfaction you need?
Check out some of the articles in the professional section of our site today. You’ll find lots of helpful content here that will give you the tools you need to choose the best career for you.
