8 Key Features about the Field of Architecture

Building without designing is like a novel without chapters. Failing to design a structure could result in disaster, whether we are building a house, a tree house, or a doghouse. Designing a structure prior to building it will ensure that the structure is sturdy enough to withstand Mother Nature and Father Time. Without this assurance, we can waste a tremendous amount of time, money, and effort, which are all vital components in today’s hectic world.

In the professional world, the architect has the initial task of designing structures. Such structures can range from homes to hospitals and from bridges to barns. While we know that architects design structures, the precise work that they perform can vary significantly. When conducting an online job search for an architectural job, it is vital to have a general understanding about the various types of work that different architects do. This allows us to conduct a more focused job search, in order to meet our personal needs. Here are some important features of the work of architects:

1. Architects do more than design
In technical terms, an architect (such as those searching for an architect jobs opening) is a certified professional whose job is to organize space. They design a wide variety of objects, including:

•    Cities
•    Houses
•    Landscapes
•    Office Buildings
•    Skyscrapers

Besides the direct designing of a building, architects also help in planning and managing the construction of a building. They combine science and art, taking into consideration various concerns, such as cultural and aesthetic ones. Architects must also ensure that they safeguard the general public through their designs.

2. Architects must meet various technical requirements
To become an architect, one must finish a university program and a long internship. Furthermore, architects throughout the world must become licensed. They meet this requirement by completing a series of painstaking examinations. This requirement began during the 1900s. After becoming a licensed or registered architect in North America, one earns the title of "R.A."

3. Architects should have certain unofficial qualifications
Besides the technical requirements that architects should meet, it is advisable that they also have certain unofficial qualifications. For instance, architects should be independent, critical thinkers, and imaginative. In the past, architects had a solid background in areas such as astronomy, music and philosophy. However, today’s architects, including those searching for architect jobs, typically have specialized training in one of the visual arts, such as:

•    Drawing
•    Film
•    Graphics
•    Photography
•    Sculpture

4. Architects can take several educational tracks
In the U.S., you can take a variety of undergraduate and gradate tracks, before launching a career in architecture. Besides the traditional architectural coursework that is required, methods of drawing and conceptualization are also significant. Furthermore, graduate students can focus on a wide variety of concentrations related to the field of architecture. 

5. Those with a degree in Architecture can work in various positions
After earning a degree in Architecture, you are basically qualified for three main types of positions:

A. ARCHITECT
Architects plan and design a wide variety of structures for various types of clients. Their day-to-day tasks typically involve:

•    Creating plans, blueprints, and drawings
•    Designing models
•    Consulting with clients
•    Writing reports

Architects also work with engineers regarding various technical matters of buildings, including heating and elevator systems.

B. Industrial Designer
Industrial Designers make blueprints for thousands of products that factories produce. They help to design a variety of products, including automobiles and entertainment systems. Industrial Designers, including those in architectural supervisor jobs, focus on products’ form, function, production processes, and aesthetic value. It is common for Industrial Designers to specialize in a particular area, such as plastics. They typically earn a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, and a Master’s degree in Design. Other important skills include solid communication skills, and Computer-Assisted Design (CAD) software. 

C. Urban Planner
The job of the Urban Planner is to determine how to most effectively use urban land for housing, transportation, public spaces, and redevelopment. People in this position must see the "big picture" of a city, and then position objects such as houses and roads, so they maximize their benefits to the community. Furthermore, Urban Planners ensure that sufficient "green spaces" exist for residents and workers in an urban area. Urban Planners typically must secure a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture (or a similar) field, and a Master’s degree in Planning.

6. The workload of Architects can be challenging
As with other types of occupations, architects’ work can periodically become quite hectic. While laboring on a building product, it is common for architects to put in numerous hours. In particular, structures are typically long-term projects that could require numerous months or years to finish. Furthermore, architects, including those in architect manager jobs, oftentimes have to juggle many projects concurrently. This can be quite a challenging situation, as each construction requires distinctive details, and each project has different requirements.

7. Architects earn competitive salaries
In 2008, the average salaries for Architects rose to $96,000. Despite the global recession, this figure was about $10,000 higher than the previous year! Women’s average salaries are slightly higher than their male counterparts’. Furthermore, average salaries differ rather significantly among those with different job titles related to Architecture. For instance, while a Junior Architect’s average salary is $44,000, the mean salary for Sharepoint Architects is nearly three times higher, at $112,000.  

8. The job outlook for architects is promising
Experts predict that during the next decade, the field of Architecture will grow faster than all occupations’ average. Positions at esteemed architectural firms will generally be quite competitive. However, those with CAD skills and those who earned architectural experience while in college, will have an edge over other applicants. 

If you like planning and designing, then you should consider a career in Architecture. Many quality architectural jobs are available, and are accessible through an architect job search. Undoubtedly, you ought to consider the aforementioned features of the profession, before you begin building a future career in Architecture.

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