Architecture... is it worth the 6 years of study?

[HermioneMakepeace]

Our DS had his Career Interview at school. Prior to that, he had an assessment (they all did) to try to work out what would be a suitable career given the child’s aptitude, interests and personality.

Based on the results, the Careers Advisor suggested architecture. DS has expressed in the past that he would like to go into architecture so we were really happy to have this validated by the computer and the Careers Advisor.

However, since the interview yesterday, DS has looked into it and decided the 6 years of study is ‘not worth it’. He now has no idea what he wants to do.

So I thought I would ask on here if anybody in the field would recommend architecture as a career?

Thanks.

I know two young people who studied architecture but neither became an architect. I know two older architects, both earning great salaries and getting to design bars/restaurants

Urban design/ town planning?

My brother (he recently passed away) was an architect with his own studio. I was and remain immensely proud of him. Lots of years cutting his teeth, grafting, and working his ass off, but he absolutely LOVED being an architect... he loved it, never ever ever grew jaded. He was an incredibly creative person and his creativity spilled over into his personal life. So I think the fact that he was so creative and so well trained as an artist kept the spark alive for architecture. It was hard, he was skint in the early years, but do any of us hit the ground of the grown-up world running?

I think the big difference is, my brother studied in the States. It's a different ball game there. My son is about to begin his degree in architecture at The Bartlett in September. I'm not at all anxious for him. He'll either be an architect... or not. But he'll have, I truly believe, a brilliant opportunity ahead of him.

I think, with architecture, you really have to love it and be willing to work for love AND at heart, have a little bit of the passionate 'starving artist' in you to help squeeze you through those tight spots in the early years.

It's probably a lot more boring than ur dd realises though. Measuring stuff and playing a computer all day

Or not... This is my brother's design. Blatant boast, but hey, he's no longer here to celebrate his achievements, so I'll make some noise. Architecture doesn't have to be boring!

Ah it won't upload the photo of my brother's design... oh well.

He could consider being a structural engineer instead? There are many construction and design related careers, not all known to careers advisors.

There are professional qualifications involved but the degree is 4 years to start with.

Most professional jobs worth having will involve some route to qualification over and above a basic degree.

@lollypoppi

Well I've just paid £650 to have some drawings done for a garage conversion. So it might be 6yrs but there's gd money in it. Especially if you go self employed.

It's probably a lot more boring than ur dd realises though. Measuring stuff and playing a computer all day.

Presumably that involved a site visit or two and time to do the drawings. I wonder what they ended up with in their pocket per hour.....

As some other have said, 6 years will not have him qualified. It's a minimum of 7 years. I took an extra year before doing my professional exams as I didn't feel ready, so 8 years in total.

Both my DH and I are architects and are disillusioned by the industry and profession. More and more red tape and thankless responsibility every year for pretty crap wages compared with other construction professionals. I will do everything I can to discourage my DSs from taking it up as a career.

Architecture is one of those things where people mistakenly think architects are paid a lot, but actually they aren’t. A couple of years ago British architects actually formed a trade union because they were sick of being underpaid and exploited on insecure contracts.

Most professions take similar amounts of time as the degree is often just the start and you then need 2 or 3 years of professional body exams and approved relevant experience.

Only last year we were at a Uni open day watching an accountancy degree presentation and quite a few people were shocked that the accountancy degree doesn’t make you an accountant and that the next step would be a training contract for 2/3 years!

I have one applying next year to the London Unis, with the Bartlett of course being her favourite. Can anyone give me any tips in how to procure an offer?

Friend of ours is a military architect. Sounds like an amazing job tbh.

I know many aren’t keen on military, but it could be a more exciting way of training? Possibly even paid to train.