|
View previous topic :: View next topic
|
| Author |
Message |
BonFleecy
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
Posts: 1
|
 Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:35 pm Post subject: Looking for information about the business... |
    |
|
Hello.
I am currently a sophomore in High school, who's getting ready to decide on his future career path.
My father is an architect himself, and he works mainly in China. He, however, never studied architecture in college. He would be more of a "construction manager", than an Architect.
I'm beginning to have doubts about Architecture, though. First and foremost, I looked up the average salaries for Architects. I'm not sure if these salaries are correct, but it seems to me that even MANUAL LABOR could earn you a higher starting salary. Are the 30,000$ salaries for draftsmen, etc? Would your yearly income be higher if you had your own Architectural firm?
What would be the earning potential for an architect leading an Architectural firm in Southern California?
My mother tells me to "quit worrying about this", and to just stick with graphic design or architecture, because "you don't know how things will turn out".
But I can't do that. I can't condemn myself to a job that (most likely) won't take me anywhere. I need to learn about the industry, about the potential for success, etc etc. Most people I've asked say that architects earn a measly wage. Is there a way out of that? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
adailide
Joined: 26 Jan 2006
Posts: 115
Location: Michigan
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you are worried about making a lot of money, architecture is not your career.
Architecture is a life long journey of learning and enjoying the shear nature of the business, which is basically problem solving. Its a business where each project brings something new to the table and even when you think you know it all, you realize you don't.
Make your choice on what you want to do with your life, not with how much money you will make. You can be paid heavily for a job on an assembly line doing the same thing over and over, or you have be comfortable working in something you enjoy doing.
_________________
Adam A. Dailide ad@studio-render.com www.studio-render.com
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hungryarchitect
Joined: 07 Feb 2009
Posts: 22
Location: Edmonds, WA
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yep, I agree - architecture is not the field to go in to if your principal goal is making money. Only pursue a career in architecture if you want to design buildings and see them built. The money can be decent if you're good and in a strong firm. It can be decent if you're self employed, well established with a good client base. However, engineers make a fair bit more and the schooling is easier.
Starting salaries are geographically dependent. If the economy is doing well in Southern CA then I would be surprised if 30K is the starting salary for a reasonably attractive graduate, It's probably higher.
Of course, there's never a dull moment in architecture. You might like the excitement.
_________________
Rick Anderson AIA
www.hungryarchitect.com/blog |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
blogger
del.icio.us
digg
slashdot
