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gabry76
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Location: USA
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 Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 3:14 pm Post subject: Starting School of Architecture at 30 years old? |
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Hello everybody!
Architecture has always been my passion, but due to misguidance, youth mistakes and other sevaral reasons, I ended up pursuing a career in accounting of which I am fed up!! Now that I'm 30 years old and for sure more mature than when I was 20, I'm having the crazy idea of finally pursue my passion and get a bachelor degree in architecture and eventually change career. One question of course is torturing me: am I too old for this? Only the school would last at least 4 to 6 years (if I also get a master) and the path to a decent paid job in the field is maybe even longer. I'm married and soon to be a father and when I picture myself in 10 years I see myself only at the beginning of a career when others at the same age are reaching the top at 40 years old. Is there anyone one who have been or currently is in my situation? What do you think about my idea? Is it too crazy?
Thanks for any advice. |
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lekizz
millennium club
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 1220
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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| It would certainly be a challenge if you have a new baby, just imagine s/he will be six by the time you finish your (very) full time studies!! I started late but did not have any family ties. Though a woman in the year above me came away with a 1st class degree, despite having a young family. Your advantage (to yourself and the college) will be that you are more mature, focused, used to organising yourself and working full-time (unlike a fresh faced 18 year old). I'm sure it is possible, good luck! |
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gabry76
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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| lekizz wrote: | | It would certainly be a challenge if you have a new baby, just imagine s/he will be six by the time you finish your (very) full time studies!! I started late but did not have any family ties. Though a woman in the year above me came away with a 1st class degree, despite having a young family. Your advantage (to yourself and the college) will be that you are more mature, focused, used to organising yourself and working full-time (unlike a fresh faced 18 year old). I'm sure it is possible, good luck! |
That's exactly one of my biggest fears and one of the reasons that I'm holding back: not being able to provide a financial stability for my family in the next 10 years. If I may ask...how "late" did you start? |
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lekizz
millennium club
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 1220
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | If I may ask...how "late" did you start? |
Ah, if I told you that I'd have to kill you |
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Magnetica
Joined: 11 Oct 2006
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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I am also making a switch to Arch at 30, and although I don't have any children, I suppose being in Arch studies for the next 3 years will preclude the chances of having children. I know people say you can juggle school and a child etc but I cannot and that's that. So, I am putting family on hold however you are well on your way so I'd suggest give it a shot and best of luck!
Incidentally I should inform you that in the US, it's not necessary to have a B Arch if you already have a Bachelor's in anything. Accounting included. So go for an M Arch directly - there are many many schools throughout the US that offer an M Arch for people like us who don't have a background in Arch. So you'll be in school for 3 years and come out with an M Arch. That's exactly what I am hoping to do - hoping because I have applied to various universities and am waiting for an admission decision in the March-April time-frame. Almost forgot to mention... I have an undergrad in engineering and I was told by all universities that it doesn't matter because the 3 year programme will cover all necessary basics/background.
Hope this helped! |
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LMArchTech
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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After a decade in the IT world, I took a leap of faith and have almost completed an Architectural Technology Diploma. 3 years in the making. I have had to watch my pennies, and my fiancee and I have had to wait until I finish school to tie the knot.
It is worth it if it is your passion and your calling in life. However, expect to make some huge sacrifices. Money is definitely one of them. The other thing is that you might end up searching for fulfilling employment when you are done, even though you have done the schooling and have the piece of paper that says you are an Architect.
My advice is to proceed with caution and think about every step you make. Regardless, whatever choice you make, may you have the best of luck! |
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elisa kouloumenta
Joined: 24 Sep 2006
Posts: 110
Location: greece
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:18 am Post subject: |
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it's never too late to make your dreams come true. your family will help you through your studies, they're the ones who love you the most. I won't say it's easy, because it's not easy at all, especially when you have so many obligations, but it's surely worth it. I'd say go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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elisa kouloumenta |
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gabry76
Joined: 07 Feb 2007
Posts: 3
Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:29 am Post subject: |
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| Magnetica wrote: |
Incidentally I should inform you that in the US, it's not necessary to have a B Arch if you already have a Bachelor's in anything. Accounting included. So go for an M Arch directly - there are many many schools throughout the US that offer an M Arch for people like us who don't have a background in Arch. So you'll be in school for 3 years and come out with an M Arch. That's exactly what I am hoping to do - hoping because I have applied to various universities and am waiting for an admission decision in the March-April time-frame. Almost forgot to mention... I have an undergrad in engineering and I was told by all universities that it doesn't matter because the 3 year programme will cover all necessary basics/background. |
I didn't know that, it might be a good idea reducing the school period to less than a half. My question is: will you get the same knowloedge of someone who does the regular course of studies (B.Arch. + M.Arch.) and will the employers consider a candidate with only a M.Arch and different Bachelor degree backgorund as good as a candidate with full Arch. background? |
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jrhartley
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 88
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| Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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| I started studying architecture aged 32 after a career in finance beforehand. As you say, its a big commitment, and it will involve a big step down in earnings. The advantage is that if its something you love, then it will have a long shelf life - you can be designing up to the day you die, so no need to worry about getting bored in retirement... plus your accrued lifetime knowledge has a value which is less the case in the sector you were working in. however, i don't have the commitment of children to think about, which is complicating from the perspective that you won't have a lot of time to spend with them and also financial pressures. if you think there is any way to get the books to balance, i'd say go for it - it will be hard, but there's nothing worse than being bored in your career aged 30 - its only gonna get worse. |
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Magnetica
Joined: 11 Oct 2006
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:27 am Post subject: |
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| gabry76 wrote: |
I didn't know that, it might be a good idea reducing the school period to less than a half. My question is: will you get the same knowloedge of someone who does the regular course of studies (B.Arch. + M.Arch.) and will the employers consider a candidate with only a M.Arch and different Bachelor degree backgorund as good as a candidate with full Arch. background? |
No you won't suffer any repurcussions from going into Arch at the Master's level only, minus the BArch. Not sure how much you've dug into fact-finding, but I'll gladly share what I know. With a BArch you have a "professional degree" that enables you to take the Arch licensing exam and practice as an Architect.
Grad schools in the US offer different MArchs for different students: those with and without BArchs. Students with a BArch who go for an MArch first of all are in grad school for a shorter period of time and essentially are there to either specialise in something or to get the higher (Master's) degree qualification. Arch PhD students apparently are few and far between and usually are gearing up for an academic/research career.
Those MArch students without a BArch take the 3 year MArch course which gives them their "professional degree" and allows them to take the licensing exam and practice as an Architect. If you look at the curriculum for Year 1 (of 3), you will notice it comprises of foundation courses to prepare you for the regular higher-level Arch curriculum. So think of the 1st MArch year as doing BArch architecture courses minus the mandatory riffraff requirements that you've already fulfilled as a diligent non-partying undergrad wherever you went!
You will get infinitely more out of directly applying to an MArch because the student pool will be diverse and more mature/compatible with your adult experiences - don't even waste time thinking about a BArch because it won't give you an edge of any sort. Keep in mind that you will work in groups so you can imagine the difference between MArch group dynamics (where nearly all students have worked for a few years in their pre-Arch field) vs. straight from high school, very youthful, relatively inexperienced students. Nothing wrong with studying with undergrads, but I imagine you can fathom what I mean about group dynamics being different.
This is getting rather long, but please feel free to PM me - I'm going through this whole MArch process now, and will be more than happy to help in any way I can! |
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ding.design
Joined: 20 Nov 2005
Posts: 32
Location: california
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| Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:13 am Post subject: |
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bro..... 30 in grad school is not bad. not that big of deal. we all know this. However, 30 married with a baby in graduate school for architecture? that's going to be tough.
I know people here are trying to encourage and motivate you, tell you to follow your dream etc. Indeed, everyone should follow his/her dream regardless of difficulties.
I am friends with 4 desgin professors, they all have a master in arch. I also have a friend/professor at a top 10 arch school. Anyway, what they told me:
"don't settle down now, otherwise, you life in M.arch is going to be tough."
"architects shouldn't get married"
"some of my students ended up divorce or break up because you got to spend 2/3 of your day in the studio."
"married students often get in arguments with the spouse because he/she just can't spend enough time with the family."
I heard too many stories. But bro, do what you got to do. Tell your wife that life in architecture school is going to be a bitch. Tell her not to bitch at you because you can't spend time with the family.
Only if you want to go all out in M.arch.
I went all out back in undergrad, i got bitch by my - weekly. She "provided" me a huge amount of additional stress and pressure because i couldn't spend time with her, we didn't even have time to have sex, sometimes!!!
She bitched at me so much. we fought at least once a week because i was in front of my 23" big screen doing CAD and rendering all the time or in the studio making models. I didn't have a good social life, i missed out many Pimps and Hoes parties, my friends even bitched at me.
At the end...... the pay-off was three awards at graduation, honored a alumni permanent profile on the school of design website, a summer teaching position at the university ($70/hour), two design courses. |
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abbytula
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
Posts: 19
Location: nigeria
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| Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:40 am Post subject: how willing are you? |
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hi garbry,
studying architecture takes pain,courage,determination,and zeal,if you have got all these and your partner must be patient as ready to make sarcrifices.while i was in school a few of the guys in my class were married and they were able to cope coz they are still married.but just put it at the back of your mind that you might not have enough time for yourself talkless of your family,i wish you the best in your decision and
in the end i hope you find career satisfaction.ciao |
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ak47
Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 16
Location: U.S.A.
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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| ding.design wrote: | bro..... 30 in grad school is not bad. not that big of deal. we all know this. However, 30 married with a baby in graduate school for architecture? that's going to be tough.
I know people here are trying to encourage and motivate you, tell you to follow your dream etc. Indeed, everyone should follow his/her dream regardless of difficulties.
I am friends with 4 desgin professors, they all have a master in arch. I also have a friend/professor at a top 10 arch school. Anyway, what they told me:
"don't settle down now, otherwise, you life in M.arch is going to be tough."
"architects shouldn't get married"
"some of my students ended up divorce or break up because you got to spend 2/3 of your day in the studio."
"married students often get in arguments with the spouse because he/she just can't spend enough time with the family."
I heard too many stories. But bro, do what you got to do. Tell your wife that life in architecture school is going to be a bitch. Tell her not to bitch at you because you can't spend time with the family.
Only if you want to go all out in M.arch.
I went all out back in undergrad, i got bitch by my - weekly. She "provided" me a huge amount of additional stress and pressure because i couldn't spend time with her, we didn't even have time to have sex, sometimes!!!
She bitched at me so much. we fought at least once a week because i was in front of my 23" big screen doing CAD and rendering all the time or in the studio making models. I didn't have a good social life, i missed out many Pimps and Hoes parties, my friends even bitched at me.
At the end...... the pay-off was three awards at graduation, honored a alumni permanent profile on the school of design website, a summer teaching position at the university ($70/hour), two design courses. |
Good point Ding.Design, that's some knowledge!
Yeah. gabry76...... you wife is going to bitch at a big time.
You are worried because of your wife and kids. Seriously, why even bother to go to architecture school?
is your call man. but i can tell you this. your life is gonna sucked spam if you go, 3 years in hell as a married man with kids.
good luck |
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RSCarcht
Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 117
Location: USA: RI, CT, NY, MA, FL
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| Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:30 pm Post subject: Arch school at 30 |
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If you go to grad school and treat it like a job (go in, get your work done, go home) it may be possible. Part of architecture school is learning from and debating your fellow students at 2am. You will miss something in losing that but the legendary "architectural all-nighters" people pull are largely due to poor time management.
There are a couple of options:
--Take a CAD course and try to get a drafting job at a firm. Perhaps you leverage your accounting background to work half time as an internal controller for a medium sized firm. You will need this firm to think outside the box to hire you. Work twice as hard as everyone else. Learn architecture through osmosis as best you can. If you are desperate to have an architectural stamp, after twenty years you can can get BEA certification. (And twenty years can go by fast in the profession).
--You can go to school and work at the same time at schools like the BAC in Boston. This will take longer but will allow you to confirm that architecture is right for you as you are getting your degree.
--If you do choose to go to school, definitely go the M. Arch route. These people will be closer to your age, you will graduate more quickly and M.Arch's seem to have much greater long-term career success.
You should know that many students who go through the whole process never bother to take the architectural exams anyway so be 1000% sure that architecture is what you want to do before you spend the next 3-5 years getting an expensive piece of paper.
One successful architect who came to the game late was Francois de Menil, who I believe discovered architecture when Charles Gwathmey was designing a beach house for him. He comes from a wealthly artistic family so his limiations were perhaps different than most peoples'.
Architecture is boom and bust you are either working double overtime or walking the pavement looking for a job. Architecture can be a wonderful profession, but it is NO picnic getting to your destination and anyone who tells you differently is blowing smoke up your shorts.
_________________
Ross Sinclair Cann, AIA APA
http://www.a4arch.com |
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Farmer
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:29 am Post subject: A strange Advice |
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Recently i was also facing situation like yours, you what i did? I wrote my obiturary , It died at age of 90 achieved what i dreamt of, having said that I did not achieve it in my youth but after struggling like 3035 years, say when i was like 50+. Point is if you love something that much than realize one thing, you get life once and in your case if you are starting late it means you will arrive late at those places where people would have reached much earlier than you will. Point is either follow you passion or keep any eye on positions like Partner in a firm.
There is chinese story, One disciple goes to a teacher and ask him how soon can i learn, teacher said 5-10 years, than he said how soon can i be master teacher replied maybe 15-20 years. Student said why do you keep increasing the timespan, teacher replied when you set for a journey with one eye on goal, than journey becomes longer. |
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