Architecture Career Guide

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Career Guide / Architecture Careers

General Career Information: Architecture Jobs

Whether in a house, apartment building, store, or office, most people spend the vast majority of their time indoors. Thus, structures must be safe, secure, and if at all possible, pleasing to the eye. Architects certainly have their work cut out for them

Architectural careers
Thanks to urban sprawl and a growing population, there are plenty of careers to be had in the world of architecture. New buildings go up every day in every city. New homes are being built around the clock. Old buildings require updates, renovations, and facelifts. The career opportunities are literally endless.

You'll need to study and hit the books first
Although career opportunities are plentiful, you'll still need to study architecture first. It's not enough to have a good idea for a new building. You must also understand the physics and mechanics involved. Will the stairs be strong enough to support potential traffic? Will the walls be sturdy enough to hold up the ceiling? Is the foundation dense enough to support a house? Your studies will train you to answer these types of questions.

Licensing and certification
After your studies, you'll still need to become certified as an architect if you want to start working. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, all States and the District of Columbia require architects to be licensed. This is not at all surprising when you consider what is at stake. All architects are legally responsible for their work.

Comfortable lifestyle
Given the nature of architecture, you have the luxury of accepting or rejecting whatever projects you choose. You will often work in a studio or onsite depending on the complexity and level of your current project. In most cases, you'll work closely with clients to create a custom-designed work or living space that fits their needs. Median salary for architects is about $56,000 a year. Expect this to go up as urban sprawl continues.